Disappointment as Ballymoney andDalriada both lose

On a cold Friday night Ballymoney got off to a shaky start! Elks had a very compact midfield and overloaded the middle of the pitch. Very shortly into the first half, Elks slotted the ball into the back of the net after a nice passage of play up the middle of the pitch.

Ballymoney continued to fail to play any kind of composed or fluid hockey. Ballymoney gave away a penalty corner well into the first half. Elks smoothly struck the ball into the goal from a straight strike at the top of the circle. After a tough half time team talk, Ballymoney started the second half with a bang. The team upped their game from the start, the fight was back. Ballymoney won a corner and Susie, as usual, calmly put the ball precisely into the bottom left hand of the goal to make the score 2-1.

The rest of the half was fought very well by both sides until Elks won another corner with four and a half minutes to go. The score became 3-1 by a ball being put into the bottom right of the goal. The game finished 3-1.

Upcoming fixtures:

1stXI home vs. Garvey 2.30pm

2ndXI away vs. Victorians

3rdXI home vs. Grosvenor 4pm

Dalriada

On Saturday 16th November, Dalriada 1st XI hosted the local derby team, Coleraine High in a league match at the Joey Dunlop Centre.  After a closely contested game, Coleraine High came out winners after scoring the only goal of the match in the first half. Coleraine High dominated the first 15 minutes of the game, distributing the ball whilst Dalriada were slow to settle. Dalriada were under pressure within their circle and eventually conceded a penalty corner to Coleraine High. This was quickly followed by a penalty stroke which was saved by Dalriada’s goalie, Sarah McMullan. Coleraine’s onslaught continued which resulted into a goal. This goal acted as the catalyst to inspire Dalriada to step up their game.  Following this goal, Dalriada picked up their game with great defence from Emma Johnson and superb attacking from Lynn McAuley and Sofia Rogers. In the second half, Dalriada continued to pressurize Coleraine High with several penalty corners but were unable to convert onto the score sheet. Diane Ramsey remained solid in defence, clearing any potential Coleraine advances. Dalraida demonstrated promising set play and accurate passing but were unlucky on the day not to equalise. The team would like to thank the umpires and coaches.

* On Saturday 16th November, Dalriada 2ndXI played against Coleraine High School in the first round of the McDowell Cup at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre and lost 3-1.

Unfortunately for Dalriada the score was 3-1 to Coleraine High at full time, so Dalriada will go into the Plate while Coleraine will progress onto the 2nd round of the Cup. 

The match started with a very strong attack from Coleraine, who kept the ball in Dalriada’s defending half but the Dalriada defenders did well under the pressure. Although, unfortunately, Coleraine High conceived their first goal. However Dalriada were determined not to make the match too easy for the High School and with many great balls from Rebecca McCabe (Sweeper) Dalriada’s attack soon become intimidating for Coleraine’s defence. The game then became very exciting and very competitive when Sophie Rollins (Left Midfield) scored a brilliant goal from the top of the circle straight into the bottom corner of the net. All was to play for again. Once again Coleraine High fought back but Dalriada was not going to let them score another goal before half time. 

The second half began much to Dalriada’s favour, with lovely play by Rachael McPherson (Centre Midfield, Captain) passing the ball out to the wings creating many chances for Dalriada’s forwards; but they were unlucky to score. Coleraine High were also hungry for another goal and won short corners against Dalriada, once again putting Dalriada’s defenders under pressure resulting in two more goals. Although, Dalriada were not going to give up- they gave one last big push and won a short corner just before the final whistle blew but disappointingly, they were unable to score.

Every player on both squads contributed to this exciting game of hockey.

The player of the match goes to Sophie Rollins (Left Midfield).

The team would like to thank their coach Laura McCurdy and both umpires.

On Saturday 16th of November, the U14 A team played a league match against Coleraine High School at home. At the end of the match the score was 1:1. Alice Jamison who played as right midfield scored a great goal at a short corner for Dalriada in the first half. Dalriada kept the lead until the second half when Coleraine managed to get a narrow goal in right at the end of the match with few minutes to spare. Both teams played very well, as the match ended as a draw. Dalriada U14 A’s player of the match was Anna Gaston, the captain and left back in defence, who played amazingly against the strong opposition. The team would like to thank Mrs Cousins, our coach, and Mr Bradley for umpiring the match.

On Saturday 16th November the Dalriada U14B hockey team played a tough match against the Coleraine High School U14B team at Dalriada School. The final score was a draw of 0-0. Both teams were strong and all players played extremely well together with great team work. Both teams were very close to scoring goals on several occasions, but a strong defence quickly made sure that no goals were scored. Player of the match was Hannah Taylor, goal keeper. The team would like to thank Miss Wharry for her great coaching.

Last Wednesday Dalriada u14B met Ballycastle High away. The match started as the sun was setting and ended with a 1-0 defeat for Dalriada. Ballycastle scored their goal very early in the first half. Dalriada got very close to several goals but even the valiant attempts couldn’t match the strong Ballycastle goal keeper. Charis Nevin played extremely well as right mid-field and Hannah Taylor did an amazing job in goals. Leah Glass, very deservedly, got player of the match. The team would like to thank Ballycastle High for being so friendly and also the coaches who umpired the match.

The under 13s continued their winning ways with a good 1-0 victory over Coleraine High. This team show great promise and are still undefeated in the Derry and Antrim League this season. The team would like to thank Mr Bradley for all his support .

Dalriada’s under 13 Bs played against Coleraine High’s team at Dalriada’s pitches. Dalriada won against Coleraine High 5-0. Dalriada played well together as a team in both offence and defence to score a well earned 5 goals. Player of the match was Mary Parkash who scored an outstanding four goals while Imogen Thompson scored the other goal. The team played well and would like to thank their coach Miss Wharry.