Write a commentNewry 1’s 3-2 South Antrim 1’s
Newry hosted South Antrim on Saturday in a must win game if they wanted to keep alive the chances of finishing in the top half of the table before the league split. The home side started well forcing a number of short corners early on but were unable to make them count. South Antrim started to grow into the game as the first half wore one and took the lead through a well worked short corner. Newry got back on level terms within five minutes when Jeremy Greer was taking out by the South goal keeper and a penalty flick was awarded which David England slotted home. The teams went in level at half time.
In the second half Newry were slow to start and again South Antrim scored with a carbon copy of their short corner they scored in the first half to go 2-1 up. This seemed to spare Newry on as they began to force South back, creating more in attack. However, the games flow was halted a number of times as the umpires brandished a number of cards to both sides throughout the half. Newry got back on level terms when Robbie Irwin picked out Keith McWilliams in the circle who swivelled on the ball and fired the ball home on his reverse side past the advancing keeper.
Newry were still on top but time was running out as they mounted their last few attacks. The game was stopped with only 30 seconds remaining due to a head injury right on the South Antrim bye line. When the game was restarted Greer managed to get the ball into the circle past 2 South Players to Colin McKnight who’s shot was stopped by a defender’s foot. The final whistle was blown as Newry were lining up to take the resulting short corner. With Everyone up, David England’s initial shot was saved by the keeper, but the rebound fell back to England who quickly manoeuvred the ball onto his reverse side and struck a ferocious shot which flew into the bottom left corner to give Newry the latest of late victories. Newry will now host league leaders Bangor on Tuesday evening in the hope of an upset.
Team: Beck, J. Greer, D. England, D. Hogg, A. Baird, N. McKnight, R. Irwin, C. Henning, M. Russell, C. McKnight, K. Fletcher, A. Irwin, D. Andrews, M. McCullough, K. McWilliams
Newry Olympic Ladies 1st XI 3 – Saintfield Ladies 1
On Saturday 3rd February 2018, Newry Olympic Hockey Ladies 1st XI travelled to Wellington College to play Saintfield in their latest league match. Newry chose to wear red, sporting their new Canal Court Hotel & Spa sponsored playing tops. For the first twenty minutes both teams fought hard and with very little space being afforded which saw few clear cut chances.
Newry were first to secure a short corner thanks to the skills of left wing Shannen Robinson and although no goal was scored Newry were awarded a long corner which was taken quickly by centre mid Rachael Lockhart. Newry kept possession and switched the ball right across the Saintfield defence where Captain, Kathryn Baird flicked the ball to right wing Stephanie Smart. Sweeper Laura Simpson’s dummy run for the ball drew off four of the Saintfield mid players allowing Stephanie to dodge the Saintfield backs bringing the ball into the circle passing the ball to centre forward Laverne Inns. Laverne reverse slapped the ball across to left mid Suzy Rollins who quickly seized the opportunity in front of the Saintfield goal and slammed the ball hard to the right of the Saintfield keeper putting Newry into a one nil lead. Within minutes Saintfield were quick to retaliate and were in the Newry circle, trying to score but goal keeper Collette Lambe kept the goal covered and right back Becky Murdock was quick to tackle and cleared the ball to centre back Gayle Davidson. Gayle then switched the ball across the pitch to Victoria Lewis on the left. Newry played wide with some beautiful skills shown in the midfield by Suzanne and Rachael reaching the forwards Newry were soon to win yet another penalty corner for Newry. Suzanne Rollins executed the corner with extreme precision finding Captain Kathryn Baird on the post who deflected the ball into the Saintfield goal putting Newry into a two nil lead just before the half time whistle.
During the second half Newry continued to keep the pressure on Saintfield, both teams fighting hard and marking each other at all times and through great team effort Suzanne Rollins took another short corner switching the ball to Kathryn Baird who scored her second goal of the match. Saintfield continued to push forward to try and get back into the game and ten minutes before the final whistle scored from a short corner making the final score three one to Newry. Newry would like to wish Saintfield all the best as the foundations for their new pitch begin this week.
Team: K Baird (Captain), C Lambe, S Rollins, L Simpson, G Davidson, V Lewis, R Murdock, R Lockhart, S Robinson, L Inns, S Smart.
