Claire's strike secures Coleraine victory
Thursday, 9 October 2008
RIGHT PRICE sponsored Coleraine First XI played Carrickfergus at home at the University last Saturday.
Coleraine started on top with plenty of attacking down the flanks from Claire Allison and Gillian Simpson and were unlucky not to go ahead in the first ten minutes when Sue Nutt's short corner strike went wide of the post. Shauneen McDaid was also unlucky when her strike was deflected over the post. The midfielders of Nicholl, McDaid, McGowan and Minihan worked well together to creating plenty of chances for the forward line. The home side's defence of McGill, Nutt, Gilchrist, Kemps and Oliver were also controlling the back and didn't concede any short corners in the first half but at the other end couldn't find away past the Carrickfergus keeper so had to settle for 0-0 at half time.
The second half started again with Coleraine on top and they eventually found the back of the net when Alice McGill's free hit from the top of the circle found Alison Nicholl to put the home side deservingly ahead. Both teams battled away for the next 20 minutes and Carrickfergus had chances to equalise but Michelle Budina was in outstanding form in the Coleraine goals and kept the visiting side at bay. With five minutes left on the clock Claire Allison drove into the circle and her reverse stick shot found the back of the net. This rallied the Carrickfergus girls and they caught the home side sleeping when they drove through the Coleraine defence without even a tackle giving Budina no chance of keeping her clean sheet. This gave Coleraine a wake up call and play resumed back the other end of the pitch. The final whistle blew 2-1 to Coleraine. Next Saturday Coleraine travel to Banbridge and will be looking to continue with their winning form.
Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club would like to pass on their heartfelt condolences to the Lockhart family on the sudden passing of Davy Lockhart who was husband of past player Marion and father of current player Carol-Anne. A minutes silence was held by the team at the beginning of the match as a mark of respect.
Team: M Budina, A McGill, L Kemps, S Gilchrist, S Nutt, A McCloskey, G Simpson, L McGowan, S McDaid, C Allison, R Minihan, J Oliver.
