Having drawn 1-1 with Pembroke 1sts the previous Saturday, the confidence gained from that performance and result was evident in the side’s play.

They dominated from the first whistle with their high tempo pressing tactics unsettling the home side. The first goal came in the 6th minute when CJ McDonald harried a home defender into an error and her miscued clearance fell straight to Cathy Johnston who burst into the circle and fired her shot across the goalkeeper and into the net.

The remainder of the half was a tale of Town stringing together several fluent passing moves, from Ashleigh Grant and Kathryn Graham in defence through to Nicole Moore and new signing Holly Steele-Nicholson in midfield.

The forward line of Lauryn Mawhinney, McDonald and Jane McGrillen, although working hard in the September sunshine, didn’t fire in front of goal as they were continually frustrated by the excellent Ballymoney goalkeeper.

The second goal did arrive though 5 minutes into the second period when Mawhinney and Steele-Nicholson combined on the left flank and the latter’s excellent cross was collected by the alert McGrillen who turned sharply and fired into the net. Moore and Johnston were dominating in midfield and with Becky Grant overlapping purposefully on the right flank, many attacking avenues were opening up for the visitors.

The home keeper continued to be the busiest player on the pitch but she was powerless in the 60th minute when Johnston forced the ball home from close range after strong work by Moore.

The pick of the goals though was the last as the impressive Steele-Nicholson fired a cross from the left flank across the face of the goal where the predatory Mawhinney continued where she left off last season by deflecting the ball into the net to complete the scoring.

So the regular season commences this Saturday with the second eleven’s visit to near neighbours Ballyclare 2nds where they can expect a tough opening encounter. Some personnel changes which have seen some of last season’s stars now deservedly getting their chance in the 1st eleven, has opened the door for several more members of the younger brigade.

To repeat last seasons heroics will be difficult but far from impossible. Expect the league to be hugely competitive this season with the promotion of both Ballyclare and Lurgan into Junior One, in addition to the normal challengers of Pegasus, Ballymena, Lisnagarvey and Town themselves sure to spice up the season.

Seconds: R Greenfield, Y Wells (capt), A Grant, K Graham, B Grant, N Moore, C Johnston, H Steele – Nicholson, J McGrillen, L Mawhinney, C J McDonald.