Weather conditions on the road north were atrocious and the team arrived to rain, wind and sleet.   However, when the match started things immediately brightened – in more ways than one.  Climatically for the next hour it stayed dry; performance wise it couldn’t have got much better for the Lurgan side.

The final score line of 5-1 does not do justice to the competitiveness of the match.  Both teams fought hard throughout but the Lurgan forwards proved more efficient in converting their chances at goal and defensively were much more effective.

In the opening minutes Ballymoney looked strong, with their wings attempting to penetrate Lurgan’s defence.  However, Jane Dawson, Jackie Conn, Kelly Stewart and Claire Jordan were having none of it.  They battled tirelessly throughout the match, marking tightly and feeding excellent passes to both the midfield and forwards.  One such pass from Claire Jordan found Sarah Denver in centre mid, who at full stretch, collected the ball ahead of her Ballymoney counterpart.   Claire Calvert was on hand on the right post to pick up Sarah’s pass and put Lurgan ahead after 6 minutes.

Four minutes later it was Nicky Carson’s turn to get on the score sheet.  Another build up from defence – this time from Jane Dawson – her pass was picked up by captain Sarah Girvan.  She slipped the ball left to Sarah Denver and this time the ball went to Nicky who slotted home from the left post. 

Young Jill Edgar is proving to have a real eye for goal.  Nicky Stoddart initiated the move this time.  Her timely pass to Claire Calvert on right wing began another wave of pressure on the Ballymoney defence.  Claire won a free for Lurgan just outside the 23.  Jane Dawson’s accurate pass found Jill in front of goal and she calmly hit the ball in between the goalie’s pads to give Lurgan number three.

Ballymoney lifted their game after the re-start and Claire Jordan had to make some very vital and timely tackles to keep them out of the Lurgan circle.  However, their persistence was rewarded with a penalty corner when Kelly Stewart was forced to clear the ball over the back line.   Lurgan were slow off the mark.  Plucky, young Hannah McShane in goal did well to clear the first shot but Ballymoney’s right wing picked up the rebound to pull a goal back.

Not to be outdone, Lurgan got themselves a penalty corner five minutes later.  This time Catherine Stevenson’s skill and determination forced the error from the Ballymoney defence.  Sarah Girvan hit to Jane Dawson.  Jane’s slip left found Jackie Conn and her first time fierce shot squeezed past the goalie’s right kicker into the corner of the net.  Half-time score 4-1 to Lurgan.

Ballymoney was like a different team in the second half and applied considerable pressure on the Lurgan defence throughout the 25 minutes.  However, goalie Hannah McShane was rarely tested due to the sheer determination of those in front of her. 

Lurgan’s mid field and forward line continued to apply pressure when the opportunity arose.  Nicky Carson made a great run down the left wing and Catherine Stevenson was unlucky not to get on the end of the cross. 

Excellent play between Sarah Girvan and Sarah Denver gave Jill Edgar another scoring opportunity but she also was unable to get a final touch on the ball.

It was left to Sarah Denver to score Lurgan’s fifth goal and the last of the match.  Claire Calvert crossed the ball from the right wing and Sarah’s strong sweep gave the goalie no chance.

This was a real team effort on Lurgan’s part.  Captain, Sarah Girvan will have been pleased with this excellent display of skill and vision by the girls and to have booked  a place in the quarter finals of the Junior Cup.