By Saturday lunchtime I had made my way from Lisburn to The Dub for the hotly anticipated top of the Women’s Premiership clash between Queens and Ards. First played second and no quarter was asked nor given, in front of a crowd, bathed in autumn sunshine.
Leaders Ards quickly found their rhythm forcing Queens to defend. As Ards pressure told the Queens forward line lived off scraps. Ards defended aggressively high up the pitch. However, despite all the pressure the Queens defence held firm and it was 0-0 at the end of the 1st quarter.
Queens had more of the play in the 2nd quarter, though Ards had most of the territory and possession. They forced a series of penalty corners but couldn’t convert any.
On 25 minutes Queens broke out and a sweeping passing movement found Mimi Bradley in space. Her shot beat the Ards keeper for a 1-0 lead to Queens, against the run of play. Queens battened the hatches down and their defence was sound, giving them a 1-0 halftime lead.
In the 2nd half, Ards threw everything at the Queens defence. They twice survived a series of penalty corners, goal line clearances and scrambled as the ball ricocheted around their ’D’. However, their defence remained unbeaten, as Queens held out for a 1-0 win. They now move into 1st place in Women’s Premiership, on goal difference from Ards.
Match Gallery
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