PORTADOWN have opened up a three point lead at the top of the Legacy Wealth Management Ulster Premier hockey league with a convincing 5-0 derby win over Lurgan with on-fire Evie Girvan grabbing a hat-trick.
In other midweek games, Ballymoney remain anchored in the bottom two after a 2-0 home defeat by Lisnagarvey while Armagh and Omagh shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
Portadown have now scored 11 in their last two games, having hit Mossley for six previously, greatly enhancing their goal difference with nearest rivals Queen’s holding a game in hand.
There was little hint of the second half goal rush to come as both sides had their chances but only Portadown were able to capitalise to take a slender half time lead.
Rebekah Lennon picked out a lovely long pass to Evie Girvan who was able to slide the ball under the keeper from close range to show why she is the league’s top scorer.
By the end of the third quarter, it was 2-0 to the Ports as they stuck to their task in the face of Lurgan resistance.
A great interception from Evie Girvan was followed by a lovely ball to Katie Herron who did extremely well to control the ball on the reverse and ease it past the keeper.
The final period saw a dominant Ports side break Lurgan’s resolve.
A ball was played in from Serena Campuzano and it somewhat fortuitously found its way to Evie Girvan who made no mistake. Then a tremendous run from Emma McEntee invited two foul tackles and another penalty corner was awarded. The routine used all the angles and while Serena Campuzano’s shot might have made it over the line, Lara Wilson was taking no chances and made it four from close range.
Portadown’s final goal game when a fierce shot from Evie Thompson stung the keeper’s pads and Lara Wilson gratefully knocked home the rebound to complete a derby double over their rivals.
The competitive spirt of the game was reflected in a show of mutual respect with sincere handshakes and hugs at the end.
Lisnagarvey bounced back from a disappointing 5-0 loss at the weekend as they beat Ballymoney 2-0 at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.
Two goals from youngster Chrissy Hopkins sealed the win and keeps the side fifth in the table, but they are now just two points behind third placed Lurgan who occupy the final EYHL2 position.
Meanwhile Ballymoney stay ninth, seven points ahead of Banbridge and just two points off Armagh in the final guarenteed safety spot.
The final midweek game saw Armagh and Omagh share the spoils as they drew 1-1 on Tuesday.
It was Omagh who took an early lead in the tie as Holly Swann picked out Sophie Egerton in the circle before she picked her spot in the first quarter.
However, having led for most of the game, they were pegged back in the final quarter as Grace McCool scored her X goal of the season to seal a point for Armagh.
The draw leaves both sides as they were in the division with Omagh in seventh and Armagh in eighth.
Portadown v Lurgan action
