Ballymena have the edge over Larne Ladies

Larne defended well in the opening stages as Ballymena looked to stamp their authority on the game. But midway through the first session they were temporarily reduced to 10 players.

Ballymena took full advantage and Clare Gillespie ran into the circle and slotted the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Larne began the second half in a much more positive manner, forcing Ballymena onto the back foot to do some defending of their own.

As they enjoyed a spell of possession, the visitors forced their first penalty corner of the game, only to be again temporarily reduced to 10 players for questioning the umpire.

Ballymena held firm but Larne kept up the pressure despite their numerical disadvantage.

An intercepted pass deep in the Larne half allowed Ballymena to slip the ball left for Reynolds to smash home and make it 2-0. The second goal came at a time when Larne looked to be getting back into the match.

Larne Ladies III 5

Banbrige III 2

Larne Ladies III were in fine form as they hosted Banbridge III at home, running out as 5-2 winners.

Both teams started out well but Larne soon had the upper hand whengreat passing led to a shot from Chloe McIlwaine which was finished by Louisa Garrett at the back post.

Larne’s second goal came from a penalty corner. With the initial effort saved, a calm, lifted shot from Pamela Johnston made it 2-0 before the break.

The second half was much more evenly contested with Banbridge posing a more potent attacking threat. Piling on the pressure, it wasn’t long until they halved the deficit.

Larne responded with Lyndsey Robinson running the ball along the back line and scoring from the tightest of angles to restore Larne’s two-goal lead.

The home side went further ahead with Sarah Wallace getting the final touch after a well-worked passing move.

Banbridge managed to scored another goal from a penalty corner but Larne put the game to bed with a fifth courtesy of McIlwaine.