BANDON BREAKTHROUGH FROST & FOG IN IRISH TROPHY GAME
After an arduous journey north on icy roads and blanket fog the Irish Hockey Trophy game eventually tipped off at 2.45 at the alternative venue in Larne Hockey Club.
The home Club Ballymena had worked tirelessly to ensure the game would be played as there own pitch was frozen.
The game started at a very brisk pace and Bandon were first to force a penalty corner in the 4th minute which resulted in good save froma Sarah Gray strike.
The early pressure by Bandon with incisive runs from midfield and a full press was rewarded in the twelfth minute when the Ballymena net minder could only parry a rifled shot from Hilary Chapple with her glove and the pace of the shot carried the ball over the line to open Bandon’s score.
This Bandon pressure continued within 10 minutes of the break when Jackie Mc Williams was sprung off the Ballymena bench and suddenly the home team took control.
A number of penalty corners for Ballymena were stoutly defended by Bandon. Following the break the pressure continued on the visitors defence and in the 48 th minute a ball as whipped into the  circle  and was deflected into the net past Claire Hayes the Bandon keeper.
This goal reenergised Bandon and they stepped  up their game which in the 55th minute resulted in a penalty corner which Sarah Grat deftly dropped in behind the Ballymena defence to bring the score to. 2. 1 The remaining quarter was fought out intensely with Balymena hitting the upright and at the other end a spectacular save from the  home team goalkeeper. The final score 2. 1 to Bandon

CONGRATULATION TO ALL INVOLVED!

NEXT ROUND IS AWAY ON 12th FEBRUARY TO EITHER CARRICKFERGUS OR SUTTONIANS.