Newry Hockey Notes 16 October 2017

Newry 1’s 3-2 Queens 1’s

Newry hosted Queens on Saturday in the opening fixture of the new Premier League season managing to come away with all three points after a hard fought win.

The visitors started brightly, passing the ball well around the back without really causing Newry many problems.  As the half wore on Newry started to control the play and were looking dangerous up front, but as in recent weeks they were being wasteful in front of goal squandering a number of short corners and were unlucky not to take the lead when Matty Russell hit the cross bar with a flick.

Russell didn’t have to wait long however to get his next chance and after Robert Irwin picked Kyle McCombe out in the circle who swivelled and got an early shot away Russell was on hand at the back post to deflect it goalwards to put Newry 1 nil up.  Queens however had different ideas and within two minutes were back on level terms after breaking on the counter attack and fired  rocket high into the Newry goal.  As half time approached Newry won a short corner and David England converted this time with a low drag flick to the keepers right hand side to give Newry a 2-1 lead at the break.

The home side dominated most of the play in the second half with Queens struggling to get out of their own half.  Again Newry were getting into threatening positions but were not clinical with their finishing.  Queens were looking for the equaliser and started to fire players forward which left the game very open.  With 3 minutes remaining the visitors got their equaliser with a smart finish at the back post.  However Newry did not give up and somehow managed to find one more chance, with Colin McKnight picking the ball up after a run from Robert Irwin in the circle and slapped the ball past the Queens keeper with only seconds left in the game.  Newry will host Raphoe in their next match in the league on Friday evening.

Team: Beck, D. Hogg, D. England, N. McKnight, J. Greer, R. Irwin, C. Henning, M. Russell, K. McCombe, C. McKnight, M. McCullough, A. Irwin, J. Gregg

C.I Ladies 0-4 Newry Ladies

Scorers: Laverne Inns x 3, Rachael Lockhart x 1