HOCKEY: Patterson strike fires Parkview to Plate final

The match-winning goal in the semi-final against South Antrim came midway through the first half at Ballyclare High School grounds, following some fancy stick-work by Nikki Singleton. She wriggled past several opponents, before passing to Patterson who rattled the backboard with an angled drive at the back post.

The Doagh girls forced several penalty corners, but shots by Emma Stubbs, Jenna Maxwell-Oliphant and Chloe McGookin were all saved.

South Antrim came more in to the game during the second quarter, forcing Maimie Graham in the home goal to make several blocks.

After the interval Tammy Gamble’s girls concentrated on keeping it tight at the back, and having absorbed some early pressure began to push forward, with Zoe Montgomery, Jenny Wallace and Singleton prominent in midfield.

Gamble, Patterson and Singleton all tested the keeper without success, while there was a let-off at the home end, when Graham was beaten from close range, but the ball rebounded off the post.

In a nervy final few minutes play was seldom out of the home twenty-five, but the Lisburn lasses were unable to get that elusive equaliser.

Girl of the Game: midfielder Nikki Singleton.

Captain Tammy Gamble said: “The result could have gone either way, but thankfully we held out to clinch a place in the final against PSNI Ladies next month on a date to be decided.”

Meanwhile, Parkview are scheduled to play Instonians on Friday evening to decide the Senior League Section 4 title. “This is a disappointing outcome,” said Gamble. “We finished level on points with Instonians, but we reckoned that our superior goal difference would be enough to have us crowned champions. The winners will be promoted automatically with the runners-up likely to be involved in another play-off,” she added.