The victorious Enniskillen Ladies Hockey team
Intermediate Plate Final
Enniskillen 4
NICS2 1
Saturday proved to be another great day in the history of Enniskillen Ladies Hockey Club.
In what is their 40th Anniversary year they claimed victory in the Ulster Hockey Intermediate Plate final against NICS2 at Deramore Park, Belfast.
A very proud captain Gillian Stevenson lifted the shield on behalf of the team after a superb 4 1 victory.
The match began very evenly but it wasn’t long before Enniskillen settled and played some terrific hockey.
Their passing and moving into space was too much for NICS and they created a lot of chances. Unfortunately for Enniskillen the break through wouldn’t come. Midway through the half though the Fermanagh side did get their reward. The ball was moved with some quick passing from right to left and McToal was on hand to grab the first goal.
Enniskillen continued to push forward with some terrific running on the wings from Noble and McToal but a second goal was proving elusive and the sucker punch arrived in the last few minutes of the 1st half. A breakaway down the right from NICS and subsequent cross produced the equaliser.
Although being pegged back the Enniskillen girls went back out in the 2nd half confident that they could continue to create chances and force the victory. Indeed the second goal came almost immediately after the restart. The terrific Stronge in centre midfield played yet another defence splitting pass to the left wing and player of the match McToal smashed home her and Enniskillen’s second of the game.
Their third goal came from their first penalty corner of the game. A brilliant strike from Crawford was saved by the keeper but Hutchinson picked up the loose ball and after a quick one two with Stevenson in the circle she calmly slotted the ball past the stranded keeper.
The fourth and final goal of the game came from another penalty corner. The first shot from Crawford was again well saved by the keeper but Stevenson was quick to pick up the loose ball and slot home to round of the scoring.
The match ended at 4-1 and when the final whistle went a delighted Enniskillen celebrated with their terrific supporters who the girls would like to thank for travelling with them to Belfast for the final.
Team, G Eagleson, S McKee, W Walmsley, G Stevenson capt, L Crawford, V Wilson, J Stronge, K Dane, L Noble, S Hutchinson, C McToal, R McClean, C Wilson
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