Congratulations to the 1st XI Girls hockey team who will play in the School’s Cup Final on Wednesday 4 March 2015.
The support at the semi-final was huge; few of our players had experienced such big crowds at a hockey match before so this was a new experience for most of us. Crowds from both Sullivan and Friends’ lined the outside of the pitch while we were warming up, and began chanting loudly.
As the game began we held possession well and had a few chances in the Friends’ circle for an early lead. Friends’ soon warmed up to the game however, and with some strong play built up in midfield they were putting dangerous pressure on us defensively. A short corner from Friends’ gave them a good chance at taking the lead but a great save by our goal keeper Jenny Beattie kept us equal. Another penalty corner came minutes later however and this time we weren’t so lucky- Friends’ took the lead in the fouteenth minute after a great strike. This lead was held for only seconds however, as Zara Malseed took our passback and ran straight for the Friends’ goal, beating numerous players and finishing her run with strong strike, scoring an incredible individual goal. This dramatic equaliser was followed by end-to-end play from both teams, both trying desperately to take the lead. A fast paced counter attack from Friends’ resulted in a two-versus-one against our goal keeper and led to a well-worked goal from Friends’, giving them a 2-1 lead late in the second half. This put us behind for the second time in this half and our morale began to drop.
At half time, words from our coaches reminded us that we had the potential and opportunity to turn this match around, and we went into the second half with our heads high. In the first ten minutes of the second half, we had most attacking play, and continuous pressure on the Friends’ defence eve
Friends’ responded with dangerous attacking play and with pressure on our defence this led to a nail-biting finish. The final whistle marked the end of a tense match, leaving us the overjoyed winners. We now progress into the final of the Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup against Banbridge, again at Lisnagarvey on 4 March.
Caitlin Young