Write a commentNewry 1’s 5 - 0 South Antrim 1’s
Newry started 2020 in fine fashion as they thumped South Antrim 5-0.
Newry put in possibly their best display this season after the Christmas break against a tough, young South Antrim side. The visitors came flying out of the traps and looked really up for the game, however Newry looked dangerous on the counter attack and could have been one up in the first quarter but Neil McKnight was unable to find the back of the net with his attempt. Early in the second quarter however Newry did find the net as Greer won the ball at the edge of the South Antrim circle before playing in Peter McNiece who rocketed home from a tight angle to open his account for the season in style. Both sides cancelled each other out in the remainder of the quarter as Newry went in one up at the halfway mark.
South again came out strong and put Newry under pressure but the home defence with Josh Porter in nets kept them at bay. On another counter attack Newry got their second with Colin McKnight and Keith McWilliams linking well up front before McWilliams slotted home. Newry were now very much on top and within minutes they got their third when they won the ball back on the left wing and a smart one two between Matty Russell and McKnight to round the keeper seen McKnight get his first of the day.
At the start of the fourth quarter South Antrim went for broke piling forward leaving plenty of room for Newry to play in when they won the ball back. McKnight got his brace from a rebound off a short corner to really put the game to bed. With 8 minutes remaining McWilliams got his second to put the icing on the cake when Greer found him over the top and again McKnight linked up well before McWilliams fired home over the keepers shoulder. A great start to the new year for Newry who next travel to play Instonians.
Team: J. Porter, D. England, C. Henning, J. Greer, A. Baird, N. McKnight, J. Taylor, R. Irwin, C. McKnight, K. McWilliams, M. Russell, K. Fletcher, P. McNiece, C. Large, S. Megaw
