Write a commentRaphoe 1sts 0-2 Newry 1sts
Newry travelled to Raphoe on Saturday with a depleted team hoping to avenge their cup defeat at Home last week, but with 5 players missing they knew this would be a very tough game.
Newry started brightly with both Keith McWilliams and Alex Irwin having chances in the first 10 minutes. Raphoe could not carve out any clear cut chances as the Newry defence kept them out. Robert Irwin had a great chance for Newry as he broke through from midfield and rounded 2 defenders but his shot went just wide of the post. 0-0 at half time and Newry would have been happy with this.
Early in the second half the visitors took the lead when McWilliams fired the ball into the circle and Alex Irwin deflected the ball brilliantly past the keep with a defender tight against his back.
Raphoe really pushes forward and Beck in the Newry goals had to pull of a great save high to his left from a short corner soon after. Newry’s defence still stood solid against everything that Raphoe could fire at them. Newry should have made it two when Josh Porters shot was cleared off the line, but with 5 minutes remaining it was two when Mathew Russell broke forward on the right hand side and played a great ball across the circle for Alex Irwin to slot Home at the back post. The match ended 2-0. A hard fought victory for Newry.
Team: L. Beck, J. Greer, D. England, A. Baird, R. Irwin, M. Russell, C. McKnight, K. Fletcher, K. McWilliams, A. Irwin, J. Porter
Triple 7 for Newry Ladies.
Newry 7 Donaghadee 1
On Saturday 24th February, Newry Olympic Hockey Ladies 1st XI travelled to Bangor Grammar to play the Donaghadee Ladies 2nd XI away at 1.00 p.m. in 2nd round of Ulster Hockey Junior 8 A league. Newry Ladies were sporting their white playing tops sponsored by the RAF.
Newry won the toss and chose pass back, playing into the freezing cold wind conditions but kept possession of the ball and around the seven minute point left mid Rachel Lockhart dodged through the Donaghadee mids and defence smashing the ball into the Donaghadee circle which allowed left wing Shannen Robinson to deflect the ball putting Newry into a one nil lead. Donaghadee 2nds fought back hard and were the first to be awarded a corner against Newry but failed to score due to the speed of centre back Claire Gamble who was out on the Donaghadee shooter at the same point as their injection and even though Donaghadee slipped the ball out to their left wing, Newry sweeper Laura Simpson foiled their shot on goal with right back Becky Murdock swiftly clearing the ball out. The battle continued between the two teams until the half-time whistle with Newry still in the lead by one goal.
The second half saw Newry pick up their whole game and within 3 minutes the 3 forwards were on the attack switching the ball across from right wing Stephanie Smart to left leaving Robinson to make her second for Newry. One minute later centre forward Laverne Inns, having been taken out by the Donaghadee goalie, scored from a penalty flick. This new found confidence set Newry up for the remainder of the match mids Baird and Davidson slipping the ball to forwards Inns and Robinson who scored consecutively again and again with Robinson scoring 4 in total and Inns a hat trick. Donaghadee ladies kept their heads up and just before the final whistle slipped the ball past the Newry defence putting the ball into the Newry goal scoring their first of the match. Player of the match Shannen Robinson.
Team: Kathryn Baird (Captain), Collette Lambe (goalie), Claire Gamble, Rebekah Murdock. Laura Simpson, Victoria Lewis, Gayle Davidson, Rachel Lockhart, Stephanie Smart, Laverne Inns, Shannen Robinson and Suzy Rollins.
Result:
Newry 2’s 2-2 Kilkeel 3’s
