Write a commentKilkeel 1’s 3-1 Newry 1’s
Newry travelled to Kilkeel in this rearranged fixture due to flood light failure. The sides were evenly matched for long periods of the game but Kilkeel eventually ran out winners. Both sides were trying to work each other out early in the game, neither side able to find the break through as their defences stubbed out any opportunities. Kilkeel however did find a break through when a great piece of solo work saw them go one up with 20 minutes gone. The lead was short lived as Newry equalised within 3 minutes when Colin McKnight slotted home a short corner. The score remained 1-1 at half time.
Kilkeel scored early on in the second half with a back post deflection resulting from poor Newry defending. Newry pressed forward looking for the equaliser and came close on a number of occasions, but as in recent weeks, the finishing did not match the build-up play. As the game wore on Newry were pushing further up the pitch leaving space at the back for Kilkeel to use on the counter attack. With 4 minutes reaming the home side got their third after Newry were caught with too many men up the pitch to put the game to bed.
Team: Beck, N. McKnight, D. Hogg, D. England, A. Baird, J. Greer, R. Irwin, C. Henning, M. Russell, A. Irwin, C. McKnight, M. McCullough, K. Fletcher, N. Davenport
Newry Olympic Ladies 1st XI 2 – Derg Valley Ladies 2nd XI 1
On Saturday 13th January Newry travelled to Derg Valley in the Junior 8A Ulster League. Within the first three minutes from a short corner, centre forward Laverne Inns hit the ball to Kathryn Baird who deflected the ball into the Derg goal to put Newry into the lead. Derg Valley fought back but goal keeper Colette Lambe was in great form in the Newry goal making sure that all shots on were covered. Sweeper Laura Simpson ensured that the hits out from the back found Newry centre back Gayle Davidson who passed the ball over to left back Victoria Lewis who drove the ball up the left hand side to Shannen Robinson. The ball was passed to centre forward Laverne who switched the ball over to Rachel Lockhart in left mid who slapped the ball straight into the Derg goal putting Newry into a 2 nil lead. Derg Valley fought back hard and keeping the pressure on Newry until half time where the score was Newry 2 Derg Valley 1.
The second half continued in the same vain as the first however Newry had more possession of the ball with several shots on goal and numerous corners. Derg Valley were awarded one corner but failed to score. At the final whistle Newry won the match 2-1. Player of the match Claire Gamble.
Team: K Baird (Captain), L Simpson, V Lewis, C Lambe, S Rollins, G Davidson, DL Inns, S Robinson, S Smart, R Lockhart, C Gamble
