Write a commentNewry 2’s 2-0 Queens 2’s
Newry 2XI continued their unbeaten start to 2022 with a clinical 2-0 victory at home to top of the table Queens
The game started off with end to end hockey neither side were able to make inroads of any note in the first quarter. In the 2nd quarter Queens did start to apply more pressure and forced a number of short corners, however they found Richie Henning in the Olympic goal in top form as he was equal to anything fired at him.
The third quarter was all Newry Gareth Moffett made a great run and cut the ball back to Simon McCafferty who showed quick hands and a clever finish to give Newry a well-deserved lead This seemed to give Newry the confidence to push forward and it was not long to they doubled their lead when Josh Porter finished off a well worked short corner giving the keeper no chance.
As the match wore on Newry began to dominate more and again created chances, however the Queens goal keeper was in fine form keeping out attempts from McCafferty, Porter and Moffett
Queens did have some breakaway attacks but the defence of Barlow, Lawson, Ivor Lutton and Noah Lutton stood strong ensuring that Newry kept a clean sheet
Newry deservedly held out to take all 3 points
Team: R. Henning, I. Lutton, N. Lutton, J. Lawson, . Moffett, S. Blakley, D. Barlow, S. MCCafferty (Capt), J. Lutton, J Porter, S. Moffett, Michael McCullough, Mark McCullough, J. Gregg, J. Whiteside
Newry Ladies 1-4 Donaghadee Ladies
Newry ladies played their first match of 2022 on Friday 14thJanuary at home against Donaghadee ladies. Donaghadee won pushback and was quick to drive the ball forward but Newrywere straight in to intercept. Newry played the ball well among the midfield and forwards, keeping Donaghadee’sdefence under pressure. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before Donagahdee broke and drove the ball into the Newry circle where their left winger put them 1 nil up. Newry kept the heads and worked well as a team creating some lovely passes and tackles and were determined to equalise but were soon faced with their first penalty corner of the match which was well cleared by second runner Rachael Greer. Donaghadeecontinued to put the pressure on and they managed to securetheir second goal of the match when their centre forward striked the ball from the top of the circle into the net. Not long to go before the end of the first quarter, Newry won a penalty corner which was injected out by Kathryn Baird to Jodie Freeman who slipped the ball to Chrissie McAuley on the left who put the ball into the bottom left of the net, ending the first quarter 2-1 down.
Newry came out strong in the second quarter and with fantastic defending by Rebecca Murdock, Abbey Haire and Lisa Murdock, Donaghadee had little opportunities to score any more goals. At half time the score remained 2-1 to Donaghadee.
Not long into the third quarter, Donaghadee’s centre forward broke and Newry’s keeper Katie McCullough was faced one on one but was unable to save what was a brilliant goal by the forward.
Despide being 3-1 down, Newry continued to play some great hockey and never gave up. Newry were unfortunate to end the match 4-1 down as Donaghadee’s centre forward scored their last goal of the game half way into the final quarter. Right up to the final whistle, Newry continued to show energy and determination in which was a superb performance by the ladies.
Team: Kathryn Baird (Captain), Laverne Inns, Katie McCullough, Rachael Greer, Chrissie McCauley, Jodie Freeman, Sarah McNeilly, Abbey Haire, Stephanie Smart, Rebecca Murdock, Zara Moffett, Emma-Jayne Moffett, Lisa Murdock
Newry 1’s 2-3 Cookstown 1’s
Newry’s first game of the new year was not going to be an easy one as they hosted league leaders Cookstown on Saturday. The home side gave a good account of themselves as they narrowly lost 3-2.
It was the underdogs who started the brighter of the two teams forcing two early corners but could not convert. Newry were happy to sit back and soak up pressure for periods before hitting on the counter and it was one of these counter attacks that provided the break through with Peter McKnight finding Kris Fletcher who fired home high over the keeper.
Cookstown started to apply more pressure and a smartly taking reverse stick shot from the top of the circle provided them with the equaliser in the second quarter.
Early in the second half Cookstown got their second with another early shot from the top of the circle. Newry were still in the game and forced more short corners narrowly missing to get the scores back level. Very early in the forth quarter Cookstown got their third when they scrambled home a short corner of their own. However Newry still fought back and Ivan Steen got the second. Time was running out and Newry were unable to find the equaliser in the close hard fought game.
Team: R. Henning, C. Henning, C. Holmes, A. Baird, J. Greer, I. Steen, N. Davenport, C. McKnight, K. Fletcher, K. McWilliams, P. McKnight, A. Shekleton, J. Gregg, M. McCullough, J. Porter, D. Liggett
