HOCKEY: Larne Ladies still searching for first win

It was a crucial match for the home girls with the visitors being just above them in the Senior 1 league table.

In the first half both teams were evenly matched with much of the play in the middle of the pitch. Cookstown took the early lead with a pass across the circle finding an unmarked player who placed it past Larne ‘keeper Lucy McClelland.

Not to be deterred, Larne continued to pressure the Cookstown defence with Tamsin Perry working continuously to try and find an equaliser. Larne won several penalty corners, one of which needed quick reflexes from the Cookstown ‘keeper to save Diane Henry’s drag-flick.

In the second half Larne continued to press in the Cookstown half and excellent passing by Gillian Rennix, Gillian Russell and Angela McFall saw several chances created but the home girls could not get past the Cookstown stopper.

Larne enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half with their defence having little to do. However, a quick break from the visitors saw a two-on-one with McClelland and, although she closed them down quickly, there was little she could do to stop them increasing their lead.

The home team played a very good game holding most of the possession throughout the game but luck was just not their side. They’ll be hoping to break this run of form and win points this weekend away to Ballymena.

Larne Ladies: L. McClelland, J. Rodgers, L. Booth, N. Kempton (c), S. McGookin, G. Rennix, G. Russell, B. McFerran, A. McFall, R. Love, T. Perry, B. McVeigh, D. Henry, P. Johnston.

Other results: Larne 2nd XI lost 6-0 away to Portadown; the club’s 3rd XI lost 2-1 at home to Cookstown.

Fixtures: 1st XI - away to Ballymena; 2nd XI - away to Randalstown; 3rd XI - away to Ards.

n Ballyclare Ladies’ erratic form continued on Friday evening in Belfast where they were disappointed at not securing all three points against Knock following a scoreless draw. Ballyclare have two wins, a draw and two defeats in their five Senior 1 fixtures.