Hockey: Mixed results but Neston can take heart

Oct 7 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NESTON South Wirral can take great heart from two impressive performances last weekend.

On Saturday, they travelled to Brooklands in a testing league encounter, coming away with a fine 2-0 win. Neston controlled the game in the first period, constantly probing the home defence, and seeing several chances going begging before Van Der Ouderraa hammered home a penalty corner.

After the interval, Neston continued to make the running and Carl Smith casually slotted home after great work from Donnelly down the right. The Brooklands keeper kept the score respectable as he saved well from Shipley, Cookson and McNeight, before Brooklands themselves enjoyed some late pressure, hitting the Neston post late on. Neston were always in charge though, and will be well satisfied with their first clean sheet of the season.

On Sunday, Neston entertained National Premier League side Cannock in the second round of the National Cup. With a six division gap between the sides, some feared a goal glut, but Neston produced a magnificent display of teamwork to leave their visitors struggling for ideas. Naturally, Cannock enjoyed the bulk of possession, but an excellent rearguard action restricted them to half chances before Penney's low flick put them in front on 22 minutes.

Neston thought they had an equaliser when McNeight was set up at close range, but the chance was missed, and Neston hearts were broken 10 minutes from time, when Gooderham's corner hit the target, much to Cannock's relief.

This Saturday, Neston entertain Formby at Parkgate, looking to clock up a third league win.