Victorians headed off to play Cookstown this week who were quite a hard team to beat at home as results show this year. Too make matters worse, four of the regulars were missing due to half term etc. However with both the Captain and Vice-Captain missing young Kirby O'Donnell captained the team for the first time. The game got off to a good tempo with the forwards of Danielle Hamilton, Bexy Cowden and Anna Lockhart putting the Cookstown defence under pressure. The midfield of Jenny Hayes, Ashleigh Irvine, and her sister Hannah worked very hard to compete with a strong Cookstown midfield. The game ebbed and flowed but the defence of Jenny McMurray (first appearance for the 1st XI this year), Kirby O'Donnell, Katherine Welshmen and Emma Walker were at their best and kept a clean sheet until the 21st minute when a long ball from the Cookstown defence found an unmarked forward who made a quick break and scored. The introduction of Cranson to the midfield had an immediate impact with her pass to Ashley Irvine, who made it into the circle and fired an unstoppable shot past the Cookstown Keeper. The game continued with both teams trying to get the upper hand. Bronwyn McLean was introduced to the attacking line to give much needed fresh legs to the attack. It was quite a physical encounter with Cookstown and they had one player sent off (yellow carded).
Half time score 1-1.
The second half started off at a quicker pace with Cookstown trying to get the upper hand. Their pressure paid off with another goal. Victorians continued to attack to get that all important equaliser. Sophie Pollock, sister of the Keeper, was introduced to the defence. Victorians’ pressure earned several short corners, but the Cookstown keeper was in fine form. They scored at a short corner but it was disallowed by the other umpire for dangerous play. Victorians continued to put pressure on the Cookstown back four and eventually this paid off with a good attack on the right, played to Danielle Hamilton, who finished off superbly past the helpless Keeper. Victorians continued to attack and were rewarded several more short corners and Kirby O'Donnell, who earlier had 2 saved, got the better of the keeper this time to make it 3 - 2 to Victorians. Cookstown pushed forward to get an equaliser but to no avail. It was a good game by both teams.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH HANNAH IRVINE