Neston South Wirral Hockey club make a superb start to the new season

Sep 28 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

DESPITE a lacklustre pre-season campaign, Neston South Wirral made a great start to the league season as they crushed Southport 6-0, in North Division Two.

With Southport having narrowly escaped relegation last season, Neston were always confident of success, but the first 15 minutes were largely uneventful, as both sides probed for ascendency.

The deadlock was broken by Max Dutton from Neston's first penalty corner as he flicked low past the visiting keeper.

Shortly before the interval, Dor Proudfoot bagged his first goal for the Parkgate men, when he finished well after good work from Ben McTaggart.

After the break, Southport threatened briefly, before Mark Donnelly made it 3-0 from another set-piece.

As Donnelly dominated the midfield, Neston were in complete control, and the lively McTaggart was on hand to slot home from close range.

Dutton, added his second with Southport dispirited, and Matty Newall could have made it six when inches from goal.

Aled Jarvis capped a fine opening day for the home team when he wrapped up the scoring late on.

Neston will face a much sterner test this Saturday when they visit Preston.

Elsewhere, Neston's ladies first team followed up last week's superb 11-0 win with a convincing 5-1 success over Winnington Park. Lorien Waterer, Sarah Fearnley, Kate Baxendale, Sally Bell and Emma Nokes were on target.