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Tomorrow, Saturday 27 November, Newry Olympic Hockey Club men hosts Queens in their first game in the Kirk Cup while Newry ladies are home to Larne for their next league match.
Queens 1’s 1-0 Newry 1’s
Newry’s poor run of form continued on Saturday with yet another narrow defeat, however with 7 first team regulars missing it was a much-improved performance.
The match did not start too well with the young Queens side taking the lead with a back post tap in in the first quarter. Newry dug in and were gritty in defence reducing Queens to a few chances from short corners. The visitors did pose a threat on the counter attack and with two great chances falling to Keith McWilliams but both attempts on the reverse went over the bar.
A number of call ups from the 2nds played out of their skin and did not look out of place as they battled and fought a skilful Queens side. Newry were unlucky not to come away with at least a point as Ivan Steen slotted home in the final quarter but his attempt was ruled out contentiously.
Team: R. McGivern. C. Henning, A. Baird, G. Moffett, D. Barlow, J. Taylor, P. McKnight, I. Toombs, K. McWilliams, S. McCafferty, C. Large, N. Lutton, J. Gregg
Newry Ladies 0-1 Derg Valley Ladies
On Saturday 20th November Newry ladies made the trek to Castlederg to take on Derg Valley Ladies.
From the whistle, Newry dominated the first quarter, putting Derg Valley under pressure to defend the ball away from their circle. There was great energy among midfielders Kathryn Baird, Stacey Moffett and Stephanie Smart who worked well to drive the ball through to the forwards who created numerous opportunities to score but unfortunately the first quarter ended nil nil.
Into the second quarter Newry started out with the same energy and drive from the first quarter and again gave Derg Valley very little opportunities to score. Sweeper Chrisse McAuley made it look easy with powerful hits up to the forwards that not even Derg could stop. Not long before the whistle for half time, Newry won the first penalty corner of the match but it was well defended by a Derg player on the right post.
With no score at half time, and with Newry dominating the majority of the match so far, they were determined to go out into the second half and score. But not long into the second half, an unfortunate penalty corner was awarded to Derg Valley by their umpire which had actually hit a Derg foot and not a Newry one but it was played and they scored putting them one goal up. Newry kept the heads and continued to press forward and with great passing and tackling remained in Derg Valley’s half for the remainder of the third quarter putting them under constant pressure.
In the final quarter Derg won a couple of short corners but they were well defended by the Newry defence. Newry worked well to get the ball into the Derg circle but were unable to equalise before the final whistle.
A very unlucky loss for the Newry ladies who were by far the better side and played superbly to dominate the majority of the match and create numerous opportunities.
The match ball was kindly sponsored by Donaghy’s Shoefair Banbridge.
Team: Kathry Baird (captain), Laverne Inns, Katie McCullough, Chrissie McAuley, Stacey Moffett, Sarah McNeilly, Abbey Haire, Stephanie Smart, Rebecca Murdock, Zara Moffett, Emma-Jayne Moffett, Lisa Murdock, Sara Adams, Jodie Freeman
