Write a commentMcClements Cup Final
Newry 2’s 3-2 Annadale 2’s (AET)
Newry travelled to Stormont for their McClements Cup final against Annadale Hockey Club. The weather isn’t what everyone would have hoped for, however spectator still made the trek to support both sides. Annadale as expected started well with plenty of possession but could not penetrate a resolute Newry defence. ‘Dale continued to play the ball around well leaving Newry chasing shadows for much of the first half, eventually they got the breakthrough their play deserved when they scored a short corner midway through the half. Soon after they had a goal from another short corner disallowed after the first effort on target was ruled to be too high. Newry we thankful for the half time whistle and were lucky to go in only one down.
Newry changed their formation for the second half and his appeared to pay off as they were now domination possession and territory winning a number of short corners but could not convert their chances. Annadale got their second through a lightening quick counter attack with come slick passing to slice through the Newry defence.
The Belfast road men did not give up however and continued to fight for every ball, having to do so with 10 men for long periods as tempers began to fray. With 13 minutes remaining, veteran David Andrews gave Newry a glimmer of hope as he picked the ball up from a short corner and fired home high into the net. Newry continued to press for the equaliser coming close on a number of occasions through David England and Kris Fletcher, it looked like it was just not going to come. With only 1 minute left in the game David England made a mends for his missed chances as he fired home a disguised slap shot from a short corner to force the game into extra time.
Newry were still down to 10 men in the first period of extra time, however they were still on top and dominating the play. When Andrews won a free just outside the ‘Dale circle he was alert enough to see a gap as he took the free early and drove into the circle to cross the ball with Mark McCullough waiting in the middle. He brilliantly used the ace of the cross to deflect the ball past the ‘Dale keeper to give Newry the lead for the first time in the match. The silver goal rule applied so all the Mourne men had to do was to hold onto their lead until half time in extra time. Annadale won a short corner as the half time whistle was blown, they had to score to keep their chances alive. Young player of the year Aaron Megaw raced out and put his body on the line to block their effort, receiving a blow to the head which needed hospital treatment and giving Newry the win.
After a hard season it was a perfect end for the 2nds having not won this cup since the 2002/2003 season with David Andrews and Jeremy Greer surviving from that cup winning squad.
Team: S. Henry, A. Megaw, D. Hogg, P. English, D. Barlow, D. England, C. Henning, D. Liggett, K. McWilliams, D. Andrews, J. Greer, A. Marks, J. Porter, M. McCullough, D. Pollock, K. Fletcher
