Neston South Wirral Hockey Club edged by Northern 2-1

Oct 12 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

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NESTON SOUTH WIRRAL were unfortunate to go down 2-1 at home to Northern in their North Division Two encounter.

Neston put in a much-improved display, and controlled the opening exchanges, with the mercurial Mark Donnelly much to the fore in the midfield.

Max Dutton saw a flick sail narrowly wide of the target, while the Neston forwards just failed to get a touch on Pete Glasman’s cross-shot.

It was Jason Long who gave the home team a deserved lead midway through the first period, when he saw his deft finish find the backboards.

Northern’s lively front men were largely held in check by Neston’s experienced rearguard, and it was somewhat of a surprise when Nick Hughes fired in an equaliser for the north Merseysiders.

After the break, the visitors applied more pressure on the Neston defence, and Rich Lowry had to make a couple of smart saves to keep the scores level. Neston wasted several opportunities themselves, and were punished when Dor Proudfoot lost possession on the 25, and Phil Howell volleyed in to put the Crosby outfit in front.

The Parkgate men piled forward in the last 10 minutes, but couldn’t find an equaliser, with Ben McTaggart striking a post and Donnelly seeing his crisp strike fly an inch above the target.

Neston will hope to get back to winning ways this weekend when they travel to Winnington Park.

Elsewhere, Neston’s free-scoring ladies bagged their fourth consecutive win in Cheshire Division One, as they routed Knutsford 6-1. Louise Swift grabbed four goals, with Sarah Fearnley netting twice.