South Wirral secure revenge over Northern in exciting hockey clash

Jan 26 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

TWO goals in the final four minutes helped Neston South Wirral to a 4-2 win over Northern after an entertaining clash at Parkgate.

Neston were looking for revenge after being routed 5-1 in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season, and started brightly, pressurising Northern's defence at every opportunity.

The hosts were helped by some wayward passing from the Liverpool side, and it was no surprise when Neston skipper, Rogier Van Der Ouderaa lashed in from a penalty corner midway through the opening half.

The Parkgate men were soon two goals to the good after Lawrence McNeight converted from the penalty spot, and Neston went into the break in total control.

After the interval, McNeight, Aled Jarvis and Dan Khedun all went close for the home side as they threatened to run riot, but Northern gave themselves a lifeline when Adam Batty rifled in from a set piece.

With Northern back in the game, there were chances at both ends and Neston were stunned with just five minutes left on the clock as Jason Batty put the finishing touch to a slick penalty corner routine to make it 2-2. Neston's response was instant though, and after man-of-the-match McNeight, was hauled down in the circle, Khedun put the resultant penalty into the back of the net. Neston weren't finished there though, and veteran defender Barry Roberts rubbed salt into Northern wounds as he slotted in from an acute angle with the last hit of the game.

THIS Saturday, Neston face a difficult trip to Bolton in North Division 2.