Dromore Ladies progress in Senior Plate

DROMORE Ladies Firsts travelled to Belfast on Saturday to play Knock in the first round of the Ulster Senior Plate.

Earlier in the season the league game between the two sides ended in a victory for Knock. The Dromore girls were confident they could avenge this defeat.

From the onset it was clear this was going to be a very competitive game with the youthful, skilful Dromore team taking on a much more experienced Knock team whose game is based on strength and power.

After a frantic start Dromore took the lead after five minutes following a neat inter-change of passes from centre midfielder Shauna Haughey who found Robin McKee on the right. Robin gave a well weighted pass up the line to Zoe Bawden who skilfully dribbled round the keeper to find an open Emma Wilson who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

This advantage was short lived when only a few minutes later Knock equalised in their first excursion into the Dromore circle.

The remainder of the first half saw end to end hockey with Dromore forwards Zoe Bawden, Emma Wilson and Emma Cochrane making tireless runs up front with the superb support of mid-fielders Robin McKee, Shauna Haughey and Laura Wilson.

Knock attacked the Dromore circle but Louise McClurg and Joanne Titterington linked well to prevent any clear opportunities.

However Knock had several chances to go into the lead from short corners but great defending by Rachel Russell and Julie Morton kept the Dromore goal intact with skilful work from Kate Lutton to clear the ball up the line. They were ably supported by a superb goal keeping performance from Claire Lowry who made a series of outstanding saves to keep the teams tied.

Just when it seemed the half would end with the teams level Shauna Haughey produced a great piece of skill inside the opponents circle wriggling past several defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the goal to put Dromore 2-1 ahead.

The second half started as the first had ended with both teams determined to win and playing good hockey.

Dromore failed to take advantage of several short-corner opportunities and again only superb defending from Louise McClurg, Adele Gilliland and Julie Morton prevented Knock from scoring at the other end.

Dromore’s more skilful hockey continued to cause problems with Kerri McDonald and Katie McQuillen demonstrating their ability to take on and go past Knock defenders.

Ten minutes from time Dromore were awarded a penalty flick when a goal-bound shot was deliberately stopped by a Knock defenders foot. Up stepped Kerri McDonald and her well struck flick was brilliantly saved by the home keeper to ensure that the game stayed at 2-1 to Dromore.

Both teams had opportunities to improve their position before the end but to the great relief and joy of the Dromore team, coach and supporters the game ended in victory and Dromore progress to the next round of the competition.