Brave Lurgan Ladies controversially lose Ulster Shield final
LURGAN LADIES 1
ULSTER ELKS 2 (AET)
The fact that Lurgan Ladies are competing with the best at the very top of Ulster Ladies Hockey in a senior final is testament in itself to how far the club has progressed this season and over the last few years.
This young Lurgan side playing against an Elks side with a number of seasoned internationals on show matched their prestigious opponents in every area of the pitch but it was not to be their day as they lost the match on a controversially awarded golden goal.
Lurgan scored first and dominated the first half, before an early second half equaliser from a short corner from Indian International and Commonwealth Gold medal winner Suman Bala tied the score early in the second half.
Lurgan were not only unlucky to have a penalty flick superbly pushed onto the post by the Elks keeper but cruelly had a goal disallowed in the second half before the game was taken to extra time and that controversial golden goal.
The game previously scheduled for December but cancelled as a result of the bad weather got off to a lively start before an enthusiastic crowd at Lisnagarvey. Lurgan Ladies indicated their intentions right from the start, pushing the Elks back into their own half.
After only two minutes of the game Jo Wilson burst into the circle from the left winning a short corner as the ball struck a defenders foot.
Another incursion into the circle from Carly Wilson ended with a quick turn and shot from Natalie Barr that just went wide of the keeper's left hand post. Lurgan were dominating the early exchanges and any counter attacks from the Elks were being competently dealt with by the Lurgan back four of Louise Murray, Charlene Hull, Chloe McIlwaine and Lynsey Fulton.
Midway through the half an excellent burst from her own half by Sarah McClure saw her beat several Elks players before being outnumbered by Elks just short of the circle. A quick counterattack by the Elks saw a shot from South African International Roxy Turner turned round the post by Lisa Costley, the Lurgan keeper.
As half time approached a break from Jill Edgar resulted in Carly Johnston winning Lurgan's third short corner. A fierce goal bound straight strike from Chloe McIlwaine was stopped on the line by an Elks foot and the resulting well struck Chloe Mc Ilwaine penalty flick was saved preventing Lurgan from getting the reward their dominance deserved.
Undeterred Lurgan continued to press and with a minute left on the clock Natalie Barr took a quick free to the right of the circle, was fouled by an Elks player who had failed to retreat by the required five metres and penalty corner number four was awarded to Lurgan.
Up stepped the ever consistent Charlene Hull and her perfect strike was deflected into the Elks goal to bring the welcome half time break with the Lurgan contingent on a high as their team had turned their first half dominance into a well deserved half time lead.
The Elks began the second half as Lurgan began the first, pinning Lurgan back in their own third and very quickly they won a series of penalty corners which Lurgan defended well.
Seven minutes into the second half and a double save from Lisa Costley kept Lurgan ahead in the game. Lurgan were now relying on the counterattack as the Elks stepped up the pressure with a number of excellent breaks from Zoe McNally and Jo Wilson had the Elks desperately clearing their lines.
The Elks continued to dominate the exchanges in the second half and on their fourth short corner they got the reward for their pressure as their Indian International scored the equaliser.
The young Lurgan side responded magnificently and after a Zoe McNally break 12 minutes into the half, Jo Wilson squeezed the ball over the Elks line only to discover the umpire had blown for a Lurgan penalty corner seconds earlier. The second half continued with the Elks having the greater possession but the Lurgan midfield of Carly Wilson, Jenny Harvey, Sarah McClure and Natalie Barr working hard and Lurgan continuing to look dangerous on the counter attack with the brilliant Zoe Mc Nally and Jo Wilson proving a handful for the Elks defence.
Normal time ended with the score tied at one goal each and extra time brought with it the spectre of the golden goal. The game resumed for the allocated period with the action continuing at the frenetic speed that it had been played over the first 70 minutes. Just a few minutes into the first period of extra time and the Elks took a side line hit in inside the Lurgan 23 metre line.
The Elks player quickly struck the ball straight into the circle where it was turned into the net of the back of her team mate's stick. All the Lurgan appeals that the ball had not travelled the necessary five metres before being struck into the circle fell on deaf ears and in a moment the game was over and the Elks were presented with the trophy. It was a disappointing end to an excellent competitive game of hockey between two very good teams.
Congratulations to the Elks and condolences to our own Lurgan girls. You were unfortunate, particularly to lose in the fashion you did. But you did us proud. The season is not over yet and with nine League games to play, who knows how the season will yet end. With new sponsors in Charles Hurst Motors of Portadown the future is bright.
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Weather for Lurgan
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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