Write a comment
Midweek game - Linden Cup: Newry 1’s 9-0 Cliftonville 1’s
R. Hanlon, J. Greer, N. McKnight, N. Liggett, C. Henning, D. England, J. Taylor, C. McKnight, K. McCombe, R. Irwin, A. Gilmore, B. Scott
Newry knew a win in this game would guarantee them a place in the semi-final of the Linden Cup. Right from the off the home side went all out in attack, for 15 minutes they were frustrated by the Cliftonville defence but eventually their pressure paid off with David England getting the first of the game.
This eased Newry’s nerves and they started to play freer flowing hockey putting into practice what they have been doing in training in recent weeks. Two well worked short corner routines gave Newry their second and third goals with John Taylor and Colin McKnight scoring. There was time for another goal before the halftime whistle and Robert Irwin was in the right place for an easy tap in to make it four.
Newry pushed forward again in the second half with their defence having very little to do but set the next attacking going. Colin McKnight got the fifth of the game after a lovely passing exchange with Kyle McCombe left him one on one with the keeper and he slotted home. If the fifth was a fine sweeping move the sixth was a scrappy rather lucky goal, Kyle McCombe claimed his second when a shot was saved by the Cliftonville keeper and the Newry forward managed to bundle the ball and keeper over the line.
There was yet more luck to come for Newry when John Taylor miss-hit a short corner from close range wrong footing the keeper with the ball barely trickling over the line. Robert Irwin got his name on the score sheet again with another tap in to get his brace. The rout was completed with David England firing in the ninth and final goal of the game to give Newry a well-deserved win.
Weekend Games - Newry 1's 5-1 Antrim 1's
R. Hanlon, J. Greer, N. Liggett, N. McKnight, C. Henning, C. McKnight, J. Taylor, D. England, A. Gilmer, R. Irwin, K. McCombe, R. Nummy, N. Davenport
Newry hosted Antrim on Saturday in their first home league game of the campaign. Antrim had been relegated from the Premier league last season so this was going to be a tough test and challenge Newry's fine start to the season. Newry were full of confidence having won their previous four games and it told early on with the home side having most of the position on this hot day. It didn’t take too long before Newry went ahead through John Taylor when he fired home from a short corner. Within a matter of minutes it was two, with Robert Irwin scrambling the ball over the line after it had ricocheted up in the air and he managed to get to the ball before the keeper.
Midway through the second half Newry made it three when Taylor intercepted the ball in midfield at laid it out to Greer on the right who broke through the Antrim defence and squared the ball back to Irwin who got his second goal of the game. The Newry striker has four in two games and is now turning his hard work into goals. Just before the half Antrim nicked a goal from a short corner to put slight pressure on the home side. However Newry responded by knocking in the forth before half time with David England firing a rocket into the top right hand corner from a short corner.
The second half was a lot less fluid than the first with Antrim content to break down play in their attempt to stop leaking goals. However Taylor got Newry's fifth with a short corner straight from the training ground, the third goal of the day to come from a short corner which is unusual for Newry as they are normally wasteful from their set pieces. Newry next match is against Bangor at home on Tuesday evening in their final game of the Linden Cup group stage.
Newry Ladies 3-1 Cooke Ladies
Team: Carol Waddell, Diane McMinn, Alison Gamble, Claire Gamble, Taja McIlroy, Laura Girvan, Rebecca Ross, Caralyn Ferris, Debbie Barry, Laverne Inns, Aimee Magowan, Judith Cochrane, Nichola Shields, Lynne Ervine, Naomi Burns and Chrissie McCauley. Umpires Tara McShane and Ivan Moffett. Coach Norman Toombs.
The ladies 1stXI played host to Cooke Ladies on Saturday. Newry started brightly by going on the offensive and created two very probable chances to forge ahead within the first five minutes. It would be Debbie Barry who eventually open the scoreline in Newrys favour. They would score again through the efforts of Laverne Inns. Cooke would reply with a goal of their own just before half time when they converted from a short corner.
It was a hot day and Newry could take advantage of a full subs bench. Whilst Cooke had just the bare eleven. They would be reduced to ten through an injured player having to take leave of the pitch. Newry would go on to control the game and finished the match off when Lynne Ervine scored making it 3-1 which was the final score. Newrys man of the match this week was Taja McIlroy in defence who had a terrific game.
Cookstown 2's 5-2 Newry 2's
S. Revels, D. Barlow, A. Baird, B. Scott, A.Henning, S. McCafferty, A. Foster, W. Adams, J. Niblock, D. Hogg, S. Blakley.
Newry Seconds travelled to County Tyrone on Saturday to play the much fancied Cookstown seconds. Newry went to Cookstown with a very depleted side in fact only eleven players made the journey. The home side came out of the blocks quickly and took the lead 10 minutes in with a strong shot from the right hand side of the circle. Newry soaked up a lot of Cookstown pressure however they conceded another goal on 24 minutes again a well hit strike from the top of the circle. The Newry defence of Barlow, Baird, Scott and Henning were doing everything they could to keep the Cookstown forwards at bay.
Cookstown's third and forth goals were from penalty corners that stand in keeper Stuart Revels could do nothing about. Newry Captain Ben Scott decided to restructure things at half time bringing Simon McCafferty back into midfield to inject some pace into the game and pushing the evergreen Davy Hogg upfront. This proved to be an inspired decision as the latter got on the scoreboard for Newry early in the second half. Newry were having their best spell in the game and were really putting the Cookstown team under pressure, however a breakaway goal put the scoreline beyond any doubt in the 55 minute. Newry had chances to get back into the game with Adam Foster missing a glorious opportunity with the goal at his mercy. Newry continued to work hard and again it was Davy Hogg who grabbed Newry's second with a rebound from a penalty corner after some good play in midfield from Warren Adams. The Newry team can be proud of their efforts against a very strong Cookstown team who are one of the favourites for Junior league 1 this season. Newry are at home next week to local rivals Banbridge.
Result
Newry 3's 5-4 Mossley 3's
