Girls edge seven goal thriller

Ballymoney were faced with the tough opposition of newly promoted team Wellington Rec from Larne.

The match started with Wellington holding more possession of the ball and dominating the play, but 15 minutes in Ballymoney picked up their game and put a lot of pressure on the Wellington defence, with numerous shots to test the keeper.

The first goal of the match came as a ball was played into the circle from the right midfield, a touch from Sirri Topping which sent the ball to the left post for Laura McCurdy to slot into the net making it 1-0 to the Toon.

Wellington came firing back with an extended period of pressure on the Money defence.

A long ball was played into the Money box and a touch from their striker took a deflection off the Money right back, making the score 1-1.

The Ballymoney forwards Carla Dickie and Sirri Topping continued to make runs into the Wellington penalty area putting extensive pressure on the keeper.

A good run from centre midfielder Sammy-Jo Greer and a one two to right midfielder Nicola Clyde, allowed Sammy-Jo to slot the ball past the keeper making it 2-1 to the Toon. The score at half time was 2-1 to the Toon.

Ballymoney started the second half with momentum and pace, attacking the wings and Wellington defence.

A quick break from Wellington however led to a goal being slotted past keeper Alex Shirlow, making the score level at 2-2. With time ticking away, Ballymoney realised they needed to out on even more pressure.

A period of intense football and pressure on both teams brought Ballymoney out on top, when a long ball played up the left wing for Laura McCurdy, who ran the ball and slotted it past the keeper into the bottom right hand corner, the score now 3-2 to Ballymoney. Wellington fought straight back with a big long ball into the circle which took a deflection off centre back, Julie Newton’s head, giving her her first goal of the season, only for the other team, making the score 3-3.

With only five minutes remaining both teams stepped up their game, searching for a win in their first game of the season. Ballymoney proved to be the hungrier of the two teams and centre midfielder Lauren Marshall, slotted the ball into the top left hand corner to give the Toon a well deserved victory, 4-3. Ballymoney’s next game is away to Dungoyne on Thursday.