Greenisland Ladies Hockey Club

Greenisland’s U12s in Action

Greenisland’s youngest team, the U12s, travelled to Meadowbank stadium in Magherafelt for their final set of League matches of the season. With six games to play, the day promised to be action-packed and did not disappoint with one win, three draws and only two narrow defeats.

With kits kindly sponsored by Sainsbury’s, a very smart U12 squad lined up for their first match. With no keeper to hand, Kaitlin Gilliland stepped into nets and kept attacks at bay. It was Anna Hutchinson who opened the scoring for Greenisland in a keenly contested match against Rainey. Chloe McGrugan took a painful hit to the knee but gamely played on. Rainey squeezed in an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game. Greenisland dominated the next game against Raphoe, with Lauren McDowell scoring the only goal of the game. The third match against Ballymena got off to a great start with a goal from Anna. However, Ballymena equalised and then took a 2-1 lead at the final whistle.

For the final three games, Emma Robinson took her turn in nets – and may have found herself a new position! In the next game against Cookstown, Greenisland defended magnificently and controlled the game to a 0-0 draw. A raised ball connected with Lois Gordon’s right hand, and put an end to her day’s play. It was a relief to hear that x-ray at hospital later confirmed no broken bones. Emma was on form for the Randalstown match and pulled out several great saves. The day’s injuries were not yet over with Chloe needing to leave the pitch having taken a tumble on her already bruised knee. The girls played superbly with excellent defending from Claire Armstrong and Kaitlin and ground out a 0-0 draw.

The final encounter was against Lurgan A – a club that fielded three U12s teams that day. An on-form Lauren, gave the Greenisland girls an early lead. Taylor Irvine worked hard with Julea Glover to close down the midfield attacks but the Lurgan team were too strong. Lurgan scored an equaliser and followed swiftly by the winning goal to end the game in at 2-1.

The support and encouragement from the girls’ parents was excellent and really was appreciated. The U12s Coaches were really pleased with the girls’ attitude and performances throughout the day.

Team: Claire Armstrong, Kaitlin Gilliland, Julea Glover, Lois Gordon, Anna Hutchinson, Taylor Irvine, Lauren McDowell, Chloe McGrugan and Emma Robinson.