Randalstown ladies secure important league victory over Portadown

Portadown got off to a good start, piling the pressure onto the Randalstown defence.

They were rewarded with a goal 15 minutes into the first half when a Portadown forward was left unmarked in the circle to put one in the back of the net.

Randalstown began to step up and 5mins later Erin Getty made a fantastic run and equalised for ‘town.

The Randalstown momentum continued with Katherine McDowell putting in a superb ball into the circle for Chloe-Jade McDonald to poach a second goal.

This left the score 2-1 to Randalstown at half time.

The second half opened with Portadown attacking but were soon overturned and Randalstown had the upper hand. Continual circle penetrations awarded Randalstown with penalty corner after penalty corner.

However they were unable to convert these with Portadown defence staying strong. With 10mins left, the talented Erin Getty finally converted a penalty corner leaving the final score 3-1 to Randalstown.

* Randalstown First Xi are sponsored by Moe’s Grill/Redz.

* The Club wish Erin Getty every success this weekend as she heads off to represent Ulster U18s in the Interpros in Dublin

SECONDS

Ballymena II 1, Randalstown II 1: Randalstown 2nd XI, sponsored by Doherty and Gray Meats, travelled to Ballymena on the back of a well-deserved win the week before against Lisnagarvey.

The 2nds got off to a quick start, with Alice Reid catching Ballymena off guard and putting Randalstown one goal up in a matter of minutes.

The home side soon got into their stride however, equalising soon after and maintaining pressure on the ‘Town defense for the rest of the first half.

Randalstown came out fighting in the second half, finding gaps in the Ballymena defence to put pressure on the keeper. Despite winning several short corners the score remained level.

THIRDS

Randalstown III 2, Lisnagarvey III 2: This weeks challenge for Randalstown 3rds was Lisnagarvey 3rds on home turf at Antrim Forum.

The match started well for town with long periods of possession, with outstanding work from mid fields Cathy Doherty, Carys Brown and Holly Steele-Nicholson feeding the ball through to forwards Megan Lamont, Kirsty Clarke and Laura Elliott. There were many chances on goal but the Garvey keeper worked hard to keep the ball out of the net.

As a result of this pressure in the Garvey circle Randalstown won a series of penalty corners. On the fourth attempt a straight strike from Ellen Lamont hit the backboard through the keepers legs.

Late in the second half however, Garvey broke through the town defence and managed to push the ball into the net after a goal mouth scramble to equalise going in to half time.

The second half started much like the first with plenty of pressure on the Garvey defence.

This led to a further series of penalty corners for town. On the third attempt this time the ball was put out to Cathy at the top of the circle who passed left to Ellen Lamont who slotted the ball past the keeper.

Garvey responded to this goal with an intense period of pressure on the ‘Town defence. They won a penalty corner and scored a rebound from keeper Rebecca Greenfield. Rebecca made some good saves to keep the scoreline equal.

Thanks were extended to umpires David Lamont and Jayne McGrillen.