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Greenisland 1st XI played their final match of the season on Wednesday 21st April. Greenisland entered the match with promotion still within their grasp. Their opponents were Civil Service who have always proved to be a difficult team to beat.
Greenisland started the match tentatively and nerves were obvious. This meant Civil Service dominated the opening encounters and this lead to a series of penalty corners. Eventually one of these was converted into a goal. This stirred Greenisland into a response and they immediately went on the attack. After a period of pressure they were awarded a series of penalty corners, one of these did cross the line but was ruled out for an earlier infringement. After a lull in the play Greenisland got another penalty corner and from the strike on the far right of the circle Jenny Henry coolly slotted into the net.
The play then became a midfield duel with neither team gaining the ascendancy. Then with time running out in the first half Greenisland had one last attack and after a scramble in the goal mouth Dawn Montgomery pushed the ball over the line to give Greenisland a 2-1 lead at half time.
At half time coach Mark Webber focused the minds of the players for the task ahead and their final 35 minutes of the season. The squad of players knew what was needed. However on the resumption of play Civil Service attacked immediately and from a penalty corner scored with a precision deflection. Although a draw was good enough to give promotion a potentially nervy 32 minutes could have ensured, but by astute use by Mark Webber of the squad and the Greenisland team digging deep into their reserves of energy after a long hard season an unequivocal response came. The ball was played forward where Jenny Henry delivered an accurate pass behind the Civil Service defence to the on running Dawn Montgomery. Dawn controlled the ball and slotted into the net past the oncoming Civil Service keeper. This left 20 minutes of play. Civil Service again committed to attack but with Greenisland keeper Ruth Hewitt in superb form, the Greenisland defence held firm.
In the remaining time Greenisland then pressed for more goals. None were forthcoming but at the final whistle Greenisland had won a fair and hard fought contest. After shaking hands with the opposition Greenisland went off to celebrate their promotion to Senior 1. This was just rewards for the hard work and dedication of the players through a long season including two memorable trips in the Irish trophy to Dublin and Cork.
Thanks to Lynn Morrow and Ann Shiels for umpiring. Many thanks to all who have supported the club this season including Club sponsor Glenmorne Consultants.
Greenisland 1stXI Squad: R Hewitt, J Adamson, N Deering, C McManus, J Patterson, J Winning, G Kane, P Brown, C McCracken, E Kirkpatrick, N Cairns, E McMaw, CA Bennett, D Montgomery, K Smiley, J Henry (Capt). M Webber (Coach).
See photos in the GALLERY.
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