Write a commentPortadown 1's 0-5 Newry 1's
Newry finished off their league campaign away to Portadown hoping to finish in style and remain unbeaten, as they duly did. With this five nil victory the Belfast Road men amazingly completed their league fixtures winning all bar when they drew against Portadown earlier in the season. A great deal of thanks has to go to coach Robbie Taylor for his efforts in turning the team around and the squad itself for all the hard work they have put in this season.
Portadown started brightly on their home turf with the away side looking slightly rusty after their week off. However the home side could not turn their bright start into clear cut chances or goals and Newry grew into the game as the half wore on. Both sides were cancelling each other out as the game remind 0-0 at half time. A scintillating 14mins at the start of the second half blew Portadown away as Newry stepped up a couple of gears and banged in five goals in this time. The first came very early in the second half with Richard Nummy drilling home into the bottom left corner from a tight angle on the right side of the circle. This was quickly followed by a John Taylor drag flick from a short corner as the Portadown heads began to drop. The Newry forwards were working tirelessly up front pressing the home defence and dispossessed them on many occasions and on one such occasion Newry got their third as Richard Nummy bagged a brace when he rounded the keeper and fired high into the net past two defenders on the line.
It really was starting to look easy for the league champions as they hounded Portadown into mistakes, setting up attacks quickly. The forth goal ten minutes into the second half was a bit fortuitous as across from Colin McKnight ricocheted off a couple of Portadown defenders and found its way into the net. The fifth had a bit of good luck about it aswell when a miss hit shot from Robert Irwin was saved and landed back at the forwards stick he managed somehow to squirm his second attempt between the keeper and near post.
With a five goal lead secured Newry took their foot off the pedal slightly in the latter stages of the game but still managed to carve out a few more chances but could not add to their goal tally. This terrific win capped off a unbelievable season for Newry as they not only won the league but did so having remained unbeaten and winning the Linden Cup on New Years Day. Newry's next challenge is Avoca at home in the Irish Hockey Trophy on March 8th as they bid to win a third competition this year.
Team: R. Hanlon, N. McKnight, N. Davenport, D. England, C. Henning, C. McKnight, J. Taylor, A. Gilmer, R. Nummy, K. McCombe, R. Irwin, J. Greer, K. McWilliams, D. Andrews.
Newry Ladies 1-0 Ballynahinch Ladies
On Saturday, 22nd February, Newry Olympic Hockey Ladies 1st XI played Ballynahinch1st XI Ladies away at St Colmans, Ballynahinch. From the whistle, Newry were on the attack having won pass back and were awarded two early short corners but could not convert them. Twenty minutes in Claire Gamble drove up the right wing crossing the ball into the circle but the Ballynahinch defenders could only turn the ball into their own net. For the remainder of the first half both teams were pretty much equal with a few chances on both sides but neither side scoring.
At the beginning of the second half both teams came out strong with Ballynahinch and Newry having chances at various points of the match. Newry for the most part dominated possession and the game ended with the final score Newry 1 Ballynahinch 0. Newry hold third place in the Senior 4 Ulster Hockey League 2013/14 and play their final match at home next week against Mossley. Newry Olympic Ladies will also be holding their annual Table Quiz next Saturday 1st March in the NOHC clubhouse from 8.00 p.m. onwards and would like to extend a warm invitation to all. Entrance is £5.00 with refreshments and a Raffle in aid of club funds will be held on the night with great prizes.
Team: C Waddell (goals) D L Inns (Captain), Laura Simpson (Vice-Captain), S Gilmore, C Gamble, D Mc Minn, K Baird, D Barry, N Burns, L Girvan, L Ervine, G Davidson and N Shields
Newry 2's 0-1 Bangor 3's (McClements Cup)
Extra time Bangor strike costs 2nds semi final place
Newry 2nds will look back on this McClements Cup quarter final as a game they should have put to bed before allowing Bangor to score the only goal in the last minute of extra time.
Newry put Bangor under pressure in the first half with the arial ball from the back pinning the Bangor defence in their own 25. This tactic resulted a scrappy first half where passing moves were at a premium. Newry had the better of the chances but couldnt convert as McCafferty, Blakely, Foster and Hogg all saw their efforts saved or scrambled away. Bangor could have scored early on with a shot that Henry watched wide and several balls through the Newry D.
The second half was more open with both teams enjoying periods of pressure and possession. The best chances came from short corners while Liggett had a great diving effort saved from a Foster cross. Newry had enough ball in the attacking third to win this in 70 mins but a failure to convert threat to goals saw the tie move to extra time.
Newry had the better of the first period as they pushed for a silver goal with Bangor increasingly deep. In the second period Bangor were able to launch two attacks which led to short corners as Newry attacking short corners twice broke down. The second of these was dispatched via a drag flick and with only 30 seconds remaining Newry had no time to respond.
Team: S Henry, A Henning, D. Hogg, A. Baird, J. Gregg, B Scott, D Liggett, W Adams, S Blakely, S McCafferty, A. Foster Subs N. McGuffin, M. McCullough
Newry 3's 8-1 Antrim 3's
This game started slowly but turned into a real goal feast which was great for the spectators. The veteran Mervyn McCaigue got Newry's first of the game when he reacted quickly to a saved short corner and Adam Foster quickly added a second with some great forward play to give the home side a two nil lead at the break. The home side flew out of the traps in the second period and James Niblock bagged a surprise brace when he is normally more accustomed to putting the ball in his own net. Quick thinking from steady head David Lawson meant he got the fifth of the game when he took a quick free hit and drove into the circle to fire home.
Alan McMinn got the 6th showing that his break from hockey has not seen him loose his goal scoring touch before Jonny McWilliams added two late goals himself after being supplier for a number of the earlier goals. There was still time left in the game for Antrim to grab a consolation goal and for Peter Elmore to all but put his name on the miss of the season trophy after a horrendous miss when it looked easier to score then miss.
Team: J. Glass, K. Best, M. McCaigue, D. Lawson, J. Lawson, J. Niblock, M. McCullough, G. Elias, A. McMinn, C. Rooney, J. McWilliams, I. McNeill, P. Elmore
