Late Allen strike gives Mullingar win on the road

Mullingar Hockey Club notes - Leinster Ladies League - Division 9

Newbridge Firsts 0

Mullingar Firsts 1

Mullingar ladies, riding on a wave of fortune and hard graft, travelled to Newbridge early on Saturday morning to take on the Kildare outfit.

In what was a beautiful morning, Mullingar opened again with the strong start that has become a feature of their season. Starting aggressively, they pushed a youthful Newbridge back, pinning them in their own half for much of the opening quarter.

Utilising their strength at the back, Louise Sharpe and her backs opened up the pitch switching play around the back to utilise the right and left backs, with Kelly and O’Boyle to press Newbridge back into their own half.

Some excellent connections through Ruby Murray in midfield, opened up to Joan Leonard who drove through the Newbridge defence and secured the opening short-corner. A straight strike did not yield and as a result Mullingar continued to press Newbridge deep into their own half.

The aggressive play of Melissa O’Neill and Eleanor Mulligan constantly opened up channels and Newbridge struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Into the second-quarter and Newbridge finally got motoring through strong link play that kept the robust Mullingar defence penned into their own quarter. Rachel Crowe as holding midfield worked doggedly to drive Newbridge towards the sideline.

Her connections with Murray and Therese O’Keeffe wide on the left midfield meant the away side struggled to repel the onslaught and Mullingar conceded a string of short corners.

Some brave ‘seat of the pants’ defending from Maria Baker and a nimble Louise Smith in goals meant Mullingar were living dangerously and were relieved at the sound of the half-time whistle.

Early in the third quarter, an outstanding intuitive move from a quick free by Therese O’Keeffe released Zara Allen with a wonderful first touch in the circle.

The Longford youngster spun and shot, giving the Newbridge ‘keeper no chance.

Mullingar taking the lead set off a period of bad-tempered tackles by both teams and Newbridge upped the ante. Baker and Smith were outstanding with numerous goal line saves, but the Mullingar team dug in, calling on grit and determination and closed out the game to claim a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Player of the Match: Zara Allen.

Mullingar Squad: Louise Smith, Louise Sharpe (c), Zara Allen, Maria Baker, Rachel Crowe, Joan Leonard, Eleanor Mulligan, Raimey O'Boyle, Therese O'Keeffe, Melissa O'Neill, and Rachel Goldsbury.