Banbridge Academy 1^st XI Girls Hockey vs Friends School Lisburn

Quarter Final Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup

Tuesday 31^st Jan

With only 5 days since the last round of the Schools Cup, Banbridge Academy Girls stepped out to face Friends School Lisburn in the quarter final of the cup. Both teams have plenty of talented players and the scene was set for a very close match.

The match started well with good play from both teams in the midfield zones. But no side managed to convert any opportunities and it was still scoreless going into the 1^st quarter break. Both teams came back out again and midfield Ellen Jack, Pippa Wilson and Abbi Harrison found themselves having to support both attacking and defending play with this period of the game being very end to end  from both teams. Friends had given been given a short but thankfully Banbridge defence were solid and managed to keep the their goal safe and the game remained nil all going into half time.

The second half started with new determination and goalkeeper Katie McCullough found herself move active in goals having to make a few saves from the away team attacks. The game also became more physical and with 2 Banbridge girls being given a green card Friends had a lot of play in the home side defending quarter. However Natalie Hale and Sophie Malcomson lead the way in defence and managed to ride out the attacks until the whole team were back again and the pressured eased.

The score was still nil all going into the 4^th quarter and neither team could convert their opportunities include a few short corners for each side. With 4 minutes remaining Ban where awarded a short corner, and with a well worked routine Abbi’ Harrison managed to slot the ball into the back of the net.  The local side knew celebrations had to be short as this match was not over and Friends threw every thing they had to try and find the equaliser. This was not going to come and the final whistle went meaning Banbridge Academy Girls had a place in the Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup Semi Final. An amazing achievement for all involved!

Banbridge Academy defeat Friends School 1-0 in the Ulster Schoolgirls Senior Cup quarter final

The girls now face Royal School Armagh on Wednesday 22^nd Feb at Stormont Playball hockey pitches.  The school will also have their U14 Junior Cup Semi Final the same week so plenty of action to look forward to for the Banbridge Academy Girls Hockey teams.