Sullivan 1st XI met Methody 1st XI in the 3rd round of the Senior Schools’ cup.
This match had been postponed from early December and consequently tensions and anticipations were high from both teams. Sullivan started strongly with good runs on the wings, decisive and accurate passing and various amounts of pressure in the circle.
Katie McQuillan’s excellent lifted strike was well saved by the Methody keeper and Katie Moore’s effort just went wide of the right post. Slightly against the run of play Methody won a short corner and a first time strike left Sullivan keeper, Claire Lowry, pulling off a fine save.
Despite some very skillful and speedy Methody forwards, the Sullivan defence coped very well with the ever increasing amount of pressure placed on them.
After the break the Sullivan team came out strongly and from the restart, Katie McQuillan made a magnificent solo run from the half way line beating several Methody players on the way, which resulted in an excellent individual goal.
Methody stepped up their game but good defensive play from the Sullivan ‘back 4’ kept them at bay behind the 23m line. Methody continued to push forward but loose balls were pounced upon by a nippy Sullivan midfield trio (Alex Roberts, Hannah Martin andJodieFalls) and Sullivan almost claimed a second goal when JodieFalls first time sweep was edged wide of the post by the Methody Keeper. However Methody continued to work hard and made some fine breaks down the left hand side, only to be intercepted or tackled by a Sullivan player.
The match finished 1-0 and was a deserved victory by a hard working Sullivan side.