A fine start to the season for South Ladies Seconds

Welcoming new signings, Amy Wright and Alex Dugan and benefiting from a rise to the senior ranks of Anna McFarlane’s from the Junior girls section the ladies started strongly. Tireless running from Claire Louise in midfield found Amy Wright on the right who made a fine pass to Anna Dornan on the edge of the Bangor circle only to have her shot saved by the Bangor goalie.

Anna McFarlane, showing lots of promise on her debut, joined the attack, and working well with Laura McConnell on the left continued to pressure the Bangor defence finally winning a short corner. Claire Louise managed a shot on target but Amy Wright on a rebound was denied a well deserved goal from the continued pressure.

Bangor responded well with some fine attacking midfield play but were unable to breakdown a well organized South defense led by Amy Duncan. Resolute defending by Amy Louise White and Natalie Lowry thwarted subsequent Bangor attacks and the inform goalkeeping of Courtney Mills kept the score 0 – 0 at half time.

The second half started with a determined effort by the young South team to have something to show for their efforts and they were finally rewarded when with the determined Carly Niblock found Amy Wright on the right hand side. A clean pass to Danielle Heasley gave her the chance to show off her talents when she rounded the Bangor defence and slipped the ball past the Bangor keeper. Amy Dugan making a fine debut continued to display her talents by continuing to pressure the Bangor defence and was unlucky not to score from another short corner.

This sparked some attacking play by the Bangor team and their right wing found the edge of the circle and was rewarded with a short corner. A disputed penalty stroke was well saved by the South keeper as they held on to the lead midway into the second half. A move down the right found Emma Tweedie who combined well with Amy Wright who got a well deserved goal to seal the game.

Player of the match went to Alex Dugan on her debut. Thanks to Aaron Pyper, Trevor Wallace and Neil Wilson for umpiring. The ladies next entertain Ballycastle at home at 1pm and will be looking to build on their efforts and continue with this promising start to the season.