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HA Vase Semi-Final 2007 Pictures
Cheshire Plate 2007 Final Pictures
HA Vase Semi-Final 1st April 2007
Neston SW 2-3 Andover
Neston South Wirral suffered their second
golden goal defeat in as many weeks as they lost out 3-2 to Andover in the semi-final of the England Hockey Vase.
Neston can be proud of their efforts after
dominating the game but were punished for only converting one of their twenty penalty corners. Neston took the game
to the Hampshire side from the first whistle, but found themselves a goal down on 9 minutes when Andover's first attack resulted
in the unmarked striker flicking high into the net. With Neston controlling the midfield exchanges, the visiting defence remained
under intense pressure, until finally Steve Kelso fired a corner under the prone keeper two minutes before the interval to
bring Neston level.
With confidence high, Neston came flying
out of the blocks and it was no more than they deserved when Chris Sullivan's calm finish put them ahead. Ford-Jones, McNeight
and Coppack all went close as Andover's keeper worked overtime, but the visitors snatched an equaliser nine minutes from time
when Tom Cole exposed hesitancy in the Neston corner defence to bundle home from their only penalty corner. Neston again had
opportunities to win the game late on but lacked composure in front of goal.
In extra time, Neston squandered three more
set play situations, before Andover stunned the Parkgate men when they broke away and saw Mark Josling tap home
a simple winner.
Big thanks
to everyone who made the effort to get down yesterday. It was good to see a healthy crowd, just sorry we couldn't quite get
over the line. Roll on next season....
Bebington 1's 2-1 Mens 1's
Saturday 24th February 2007
Neston South Wirral continued their recent erratic form, losing
at lowly Bebington on Saturday, before defeating Gainsborough in the National Vase on Sunday.
Saturday's game was a strangely low key local derby, with Bebington
taking an early lead following sloppy work from the Neston defence. Both sides had further opportunities in an error strewn
first half, but rarely was either keeper troubled.
Neston dominated the second half, but didn't look like scoring
until Duncan Colquhoun fired home from McNeight's cross ten minutes from time. However, late on, a rare Bebington attack opened
up Neston's passive defence and allowed Rich Little to fire home a Bebington winner.
HA Vase 3rd Round
Mens 1's 2-2 Gainsborough Rose
Neston won on Golden Goal in Extra Time
Sunday 25th February 2007
On Sunday, Neston avenged last season's defeat by Gainsborough,
to progress into the quarter final of the National Vase. Neston generally had the upper hand throughout, and took the lead
when Ben Coppack finished a length of the field move. This roused the visitors into a spell of pressure and they equalised
from a penalty corner on 28 minutes.
Neston continued to control the game in the second period, and
regained the lead when Bryn Ford-Jones waltzed through the visiting defence to slot home. The visitors pushed forward in the
last ten minutes, but it was still a surprise when they bundled home an equaliser with seconds left on the clock.
The home team lifted themselves in the first half of extra time
and peppered the Gainsborough goal, but it wasn't until the second half that Carl Smith flicked home a golden goal winner
to shatter the Lincolnshire side and send Neston through to the last 8 for the first time in three years.
Mens 1's 3-2 West Derby 1's
17th February 2007
Neston South Wirral were 3-2 winners over
promotion favourites West Derby, following a fiery clash at the Recreation Centre.
Duncan Colquhoun opened the scoring for the
home team when he guided home from a right wing cross, but Neston's joy was short-lived as the Liverpool side countered immediately
to score from close range. Neston regained the lead when Lawrence McNeight calmly stroked home from the spot after an ugly
challenge from the visitors, but again they fought back to equalise shortly before the interval.
Tempers became increasingly frayed in the
second half with players from both teams finding themselves in the sin bin. Neston though, were able to keep some semblance
of discipline and were rewarded when Colquhoun grabbed his second from another cross. Neston could have extended their lead
before the finish, but in the end were just happy to get back to winning ways.
Whilst Neston were delighted with the win,
there was some disappointment that they themselves are not challenging for promotion after taking nine points from the leading
two teams this season. They know that they need to produce the same commitment every week if they are to reach their potential.
Elsewhere, the second team remained in the
promotion mix, despite a 3-2 reverse at Deeside, and the fourths earned a point against leaders Wrexham.
This weekend, Neston have a testing league
fixture at Bebington on Saturday, before entertaining Gainsborough in the National Vase on Sunday.
S.Cheshire 1's 5-1 Mens 1's
10th February 2007
Neston South Wirral suffered their third
successive league defeat, their worst run for five years, as they slumped to a 5-1 defeat at South Cheshire.
Although the score line flattered the home
side, Neston could have few complaints about the result, as a lack of sharpness allowed Cheshire to take control in the first
half. Whilst Neston squandered their opportunities, England schoolboy international Peter Jackson gave a master-class in clinical
finishing as he bagged three goals to help South Cheshire into a comfortable 4-0 lead at the interval.
Neston showed more determination after the
break, and pinned the hosts in their own half for long periods, but it was Cheshire who scored again, when Jackson flicked
home his fourth from a penalty corner. Neston's endeavours were rewarded when McNeight slotted home, but despite further opportunities
they couldn't reduce the deficit further as tempers frayed late on.
After suffering
on the pitch, Neston looked forward to sampling South Cheshire's legendary hospitality off it, and they weren't to be disappointed
as they visited Congleton Cricket Club. The home team did themselves proud, returning in their numbers, and the jugs flowed
merrily as the visitors tucked into the sumptuous spread wholeheartedly.
Eventually
though, we had to say our goodbyes, and it is with some relish (or is that cress?) that we look forward to visiting again
next season. Special mention to Congleton legend Eric Hacking, who would have been proud of the efforts of their hockey section.
A credit to all concerned, and a lesson for Neston...
3rd Feb 2007
Neston 1's 1-2 University of Liverpool 1's
EH Vase 2nd Round
Neston 1's 4-1 Nuneaton 1's
Neston South Wirral had mixed fortunes at the weekend, seeing
their promotion hopes all but extinguished by Liverpool University, but progressing in the National Vase competition.
On Saturday, Neston produced a gutless first half display against
the students. After McNeight had seen his penalty corner excellently saved by the University goalkeeper, Liverpool deservedly
took the lead following sloppy work from the home defence.
Neston upped their work rate in the second period and were rewarded
when Carl Smith bagged an equaliser, but rarely did their quality of play match the improved effort and it was no surprise
when the visitors grabbed a winner from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left.
On Sunday, Neston made hard work of beating Nuneaton in the 2nd
round of the Vase. After a bright start by Neston, Nuneaton came into the game and were left to rue missing two glaring opportunities
before the break.
Neston again showed more urgency after the interval, and goals
from Ben Coppack and Lawrence McNeight put them in control. The visitors hit back on 57 minutes, but Coppack's cool finish
2 minutes later shattered their hopes. The youngster then hit his third at the death to give Neston a 4-1 win.
Next weekend Neston will look to perform for a full game when
they visit South Cheshire.
Greg Brooker 1st Team Hockey Correspondent
Knutsford 1's 4-2 Neston 1's
27th January 2007
The Mens 1's travelled to Knutsford,
aiming to continue their promotion push, but with several regular players absent, were undone by their 'bogey' side.
Having put the home team under much pressure
for most of the first half, Neston conceded a cruel goal against the run of play when a deflected cross wrong footed Paul
Salmon in the Neston goal. Neston's response was instant, as a well worked move down the left found it's way into Duncan Colquhoon's
path and he swept home with ease.
Serious lapses of concentration
at the start of the second half allowed Knutsford to go 4-1 up within 15 minutes. Despite skipper Lawrence McNeight pulling
a goal back, and wave after wave of Neston pressure, the damage was done and Knutsford held on for a 4-2 win.
Match Report by Greg Brooker 1st Team Hockey
Correspondent
Neston 1's 3-0 Urmston 1's
20th January 2007
Neston South Wirral consolidated their third place position with
an emphatic 3-0 home win over league leaders Urmston.
Neston produced an excellent first half display of high tempo
attacking hockey which left the visitors shell-shocked. Schoolboy, Carl Smith, opened the scoring after ten minutes when
he converted a Duncan Colquhoon cross, and then bagged his second shortly afterwards with a neat finish. Ben Coppack stunned
the leaders when he rifled home the third after twenty minutes, as Neston cut through the visiting defence at will.
Urmston were glad to go in at the break only three down, but showed
their promotion credentials with an improved second half display. Neston, however, were not to be denied and they showed that
they were prepared to graft for the points as the home defence snubbed out everything their opponents threw at them. Man of
the match Carl Smith, almost grabbed his hat-trick but saw his shot cannon off a post as Neston threatened on the break, and
despite chances for both sides towards the end the scoreline remained unchanged.
Match report by Greg Brooker 1st Team Hockey Correspondent
Southport 1's 1-2 Neston 1's
13th January 2007
Neston South Wirral resumed league action with a hard fought 2-1
win at Southport.
Neston dominated the possession from the outset, but struggled
to break down the resolute home defence. After 25 minutes, Southport took the lead against the run of play when a miss-hit
penalty corner wrong footed the Neston defence. The visitors had their own slice of good fortune on the stroke of half time
when Barrington Roberts shot was twice deflected on it's way into the Southport goal.
The second period continued in much the same fashion with chances
at a premium, until Roberts crisp penalty corner put Neston into the lead with 15 minutes left. Neston endured a couple of
anxious moments before the end, but hung on to move into 3rd position in the league.
Match Report: Greg Brooker 1st Team Hockey Correspondent.
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