Write a commentNewry Olympic Ladies 1 Ballycastle 0
On Saturday 8th November, Newry Olympic Hockey Ladies 1st XI travelled to Ballycastle to play their 1st XI Ladies. From the whistle, Newry were on the attack having won pass back and drove the ball up into the circle putting Ballycastle under immense pressure from the start. Right wing Aimee Magowan won the first corner for Newry and following a swift injection from Alison Gamble to the top of the circle Newry’s Captain, Laverne Inns put Newry into a one nil lead within the first five minutes of the game.
Ballycastle battled back but due to the strong play across the midfield by Nicola Shiels, Lynne Ervine and Kathryn Baird, the ball was sent straight back up to left wing Laura Girvan who kept the Ballycastle goalie on her toes with strong shots on goal. At half time Newry still held the one nil lead.
During the second half Ballycastle were awarded a couple of corners but due to Newry’s strong defence and clearing of the ball by Laura Simpson, Diane Mc Minn and Gayle Davison there was no change in the score. Newry kept possession for most of the second half and were awarded numerous corners with forwards trying various tactics but were unable to increase their lead.
Final score Newry Olympic 1 Ballycastle 0.
Newry Ladies would like to thank Roadside Motors, Coleraine for their sponsorship of fitness equipment, practice hockey balls and defence face guards. NOHC ladies are at home next week in their Senior 4 match against Cooke.
NOHC Team: C. Waddell (goals) D L Inns (Captain), Laura Simpson (Vice-Captain), K Baird, A Gamble, D Mc Minn, G Davidson, L Girvan, A Magowan, L Ervine, N Shields, S Adams, V Steele and N Dickson.
North Down 4's 1-5 Newry 3's
Newry travelled to North Down on the back of their recent good run of form. On Saturday they carried this form on with a resounding 5-1 win away from home. Newry had to call upon untried keeper Craig Rooney in nets but he did not let his side down, pulling off a string of good saves to keep Newry in the game before they eventually took the lead through speedy winger, Scott Blakley.
North Down where pushing for the equaliser and in turn were leaving themselves vulnerable on the counter attack. Mark McCullough didn't need an invitation to take advantage of this as he knocked in Newry's second of the game.
Newry quickly pushed further into the lead when Andy Marks popped up with his first goal of the game before North Down finally beat Rooney in nets to get a goal on the board. Blakley and McCullough's pace up front was causing the North' defence all sorts of issues and it was this partnership that led to the 4th of the game and Blakley's second to all but end the match as a contest. There was still time for Andy Marks to notch up his second of the game with a late short corner to end the game 5-1 in Newry's favour.
Team: C. Rooney, E. Graham, J. Laws on, A. McGaffin, D. Barlow, J. Niblock, D. Liggett, A. Baird, M. McCullough, A. Marks, P. English
