Loreto 4 Randlestown 0, IHL 06/12/09

Scorers: Nicci Daly; Cathy McKean x 2; Nikki Symmons 4 – 0 Randalstown

Champions Loreto recorded their first win in this season’s IHL with a well deserved 4 nil win over Randalstown on a bitterly cold afternoon at Beaufort. Indeed the margin of victory could have been greater but for some fine saves by Randalstown keeper Jeanna Holmes and three goal-bound shots saved on the line by Randalstown’s determined defenders.

Loreto started the game strongly but did not have things all their own way with Randalstown having plenty of the ball during a very open first quarter. Both sides passed the ball well with Loreto looking the more likely to score but unable to capitalise on one on one situations with the keeper. At the other end Katherine Elkin looked threatening but Randalstown were unable to make the final telling pass to trouble Louisa Healy in the Loreto goal. The breakthrough for Loreto finally came in the fifteenth minute with Cathy McKean and the ever-busy Nikki Symmons combining well to create the opening for Nicci Daly to score from close range. The goal appeared to settle Loreto and they doubled their lead two minutes later after some superb play by Nikki Keegan who carried the ball from halfway, drew Holmes off her goal line before slipping the ball to McKean who comfortably slotted the ball home. Loreto continued to perform strongly in the second quarter and got their third from a short corner. Holmes did well to save the first strike but could do nothing to stop Nikki Symmons blistering follow up. The half finished with Loreto leading three nil.

Loreto had the better of the second half as evidenced by the PC count of six to Randalstown’s two. However, they could only add one more goal which came in the 40th minute. Caitriona Tipping and Sinead McGirr combined well down the right before Tipping played a wonderful ball into the circle for McKean who made no mistake from close range.

Randalstown pressed in an effort to get off the mark and had some chances forcing Healy to save well from their first PC of the second half. Captain Emma Parker led the away team’s efforts with good support from Lesley Doyle, Elkin and Vanessa Surgenor. However, Loreto were in no mood slip up on securing a vital bonus point win and were quick in defence in reacting to any Randalstown threat. The home side in fact continued to create chances with powerful strikes by both Sarah O’Meara and Sinead McGirr missing the target by inches.

The bonus point win puts Loreto on seven points two behind leaders Pegasus and level with Hermes.

Report courtesy of Irish Hockey League