LWM PREM: OMAGH INFLICT FIRST DEFEAT FOR ARDS

Omagh provided one of the shock results of the season as they beat league champions Ards 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Two goals in the last five minutes from Gemma Buchanan and Katie McDowell sealed a late comeback and earned their third league win of the season.

Pippa Best had given Ards the lead midway through the first quarter and their slender advantage remained until the third period when Omagh struck back through Honour Davison.

The forward got on the end of a diagonal pass from Sophie Egerton before picking out the bottom left corner from the top of the circle, but Ards were soon back in front with Maddie Leathem restoring their advantage.

However, a strong final quarter from Omagh saw the snatch all three points.

A Gemma Buchanan penalty corner drew them level with five minutes remaining before Katie McDowell deflected in from another set play with just a minute left on the clock to secure the win.

The loss marks a first league defeat of the season for Ards, ending their 16 game unbeaten run in the division, whilst Omagh climb out of the relegation playoff place with the win.

Elsewhere, six different goalscorers helped Mossley beat Ballymoney 6-0 at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.

Reah Little, Lucy Campbell, Alex Snoddy, Kate Spillane, Bonnie Connor-Boyd and Rosa Clarke all got on the scoresheet as the EY2 chasing side ended their season on a high.

Only in fourth on goals scored, the side can still qualify for EYHL2 hockey next season, should Ards beat Lisnagarvey.

The final game of the weekend saw Banbridge end their season with a 1-1 draw at home to Armagh.

Duke Cup leader Stef Ardis got her 17th league goal of the season but it was cancelled out by a strike from Armagh’s Hannah Redmond.

The shared points sees Banbridge end their season with 20 points in sixth place, whilst Armagh sit ninth with two games left to guarantee their status in the division for next season.

 

PHOTO: Front Row Union