Ladies seconds run continues

Belfast Harlequins 4ths 1 – 2 North Down 2nds

On Saturday the ladies seconds did the short drive up to Deramore Park to face Belfast Harlequins fourths. With the league already won the seconds were still on the hunt for a win to continue their winning streak.

Unfortunately Harlequins with a well experienced team that were quick of the mark were met by a half sleeping North Down team.  Fast paced hockey put the North Down defence under pressure but great work from the back four of Walker, Portinga, Campbell and Millar kept the Quins shots at bay. North Down started to pick up with their play.   Julie Fisher commanding the middle of the pitch ably assisted with Jenna Hoey and the speed of Olivia Brown on the left the Comber girls finally put some pressure on the home sides goal. This led to a goalmouth scramble but skipper Amy Jones stepped in and slotted the ball home. This seemed to speed up the already fast front line of Quins who with great movement lost their markers and took the game into an even match to finish the first half.

After a good team talk at half time the Comber girls returned to the pitch to play their own game.  The returning Shannen White helped to create some great movement on the right side of the pitch. The hockey continued to be an end to end battle but with the sister duo of Natalie Strain and Naomi Mitchell up front putting the pressure on in the circle earned the visitors a much deserved short corner.  Current top scorer Ali Millar stepped up to the mark and used her well known straight strike, in which nothing was going to stop it from the bottom right hand corner to put the visitors in the lead. With not long left on the clock the home side pushed hard for the draw but Linda Marshall commanding her circle pulled off some good solid saves to help the ladies seconds to yet another league win.

Thanks to Laura Clarke for umpiring.

Report by Laura Campbell.