Write a commentNewry 1’s 4-4 Harlequin 1’s
Newry opened their league campaign with an enthralling 4-4 draw with Harlequins in horrendous weather conditions on Saturday.
Newry seemed to have learned from recent displays where they conceded early in the match, as they started the better of the two teams, keeping it tight at the back while causing plenty of problems for the ‘Quins defence. However it was the away side who took the lead with 25minutes gone, when the broke on their left hand side before crossing in for an easy tap it at the back post. Their lead was short lived as Jeremy Greer broke forward from right back to find David Andrews in the circle who fired home between the keepers legs.
As the weather conditions worsened Quins again took the lead with another cross and tap in before they made it three just before the half time whistle. Newry came out after the break and looked like a different side. They were straight on the attack and forced a number of short corners, with Robert Irwin scoring after being the quickest to react after the keeper saved a David England shot. The home side were soon back on level terms as David England beat the runners at the top of the circle from a short corner and slapped the ball home.
Newry really had the momentum in their favour, Harlequins were struggling to get out of their own half and Newry capitalised to take the lead again through another short corner with England getting his second of the game. Newry had now scored three without reply but a lapse in concentration allowed Quins back in it as they equalised with 10 minutes remaining. In previous games against Harlequins Newry would have capitulated, however they had the stronger finish to the game and were unlucky not to go away with all three points as they missed two golden opportunities from two short corners right on the final whistle.
Newry travel to Mossley in their next game hoping to build on their good performance.
Team: F. McGivern, N. Davenport, C. Henning, D. England, J. Greer, N. McKnight, R. Irwin, A. Baird, M. McCullough, K. Fletcher, D. Andrews, A. Megaw
Newry Ladies 3-1 PSNI Ladies
Newry ladies 1stXl's second match of the season was home against PSNI. The home side started strong with all the pressure in the PSNI circle. The Newry forwards won 3 penalty corners in quick succession the third of which Suzy Rollins converted for their first goal.
The scoreline stayed at 1-0 until just after the start of the second half where a more invigorated PSNI came out of the blocks quickly to equalise the score.
However the Newry side upped the pressure again with Lynn Anderson and Lynne Ervine scoring within minutes of each other both from penalty corners. The scoreline would have been much greater only for an excellent game from the PSNI keeper. Final score 3-1 to the home team.
Team: Carol Waddell (captain), Avril Harpur, Nicola Shields, Rachael Lockhart, Kathryn Baird , Shannen Robinson, Lynn Anderson, Lynne Ervine, Gilly Roney, Laura Simpson, Gayle Davidson, Stephanie Smart, Suzanne Rollins.
