Seconds complete sixth league victory as Thirds win

In a blistering start, the Blues played their best pass and move hockey of the season and scored twice through Phil Stirling in the opening 4 minutes. At this stage it looked like the home side would run riot but the Kilkeel men managed to hang in and eventually the game settled down with Garvey having the lion share of possession and Kilkeel counter attacking.

The weather made good hockey difficult and the away side managed to pull a goal back before half time capitalising on a turn over from a Garvey attack with a quick breakaway of their own.

The second half was a scrappy affair with little in the way of chances. Stirling had two efforts ruled out and John Gray had a shot brilliantly saved off the line after it had beaten the keeper. It was deserved then when Gray finally gave Garvey the cushion of a two goal lead when he finished off from a penalty corner.

The game displayed the best and worst of Garvey’s play this season but the run continues and momentum builds coming into a run of three big fixtures in league and cup. Big thanks to Sebastian Buser and Marty Bothwell for stepping in to umpire at the eleventh hour when Kilkeel couldn’t produce their own.

Meanwhile, Lisnagarvey Thirds hosted Newry Seconds at Comber Road knowing it was an important game for both sides. It was the young Garvey side that prevailed with a 2-1 victory.

It was very much a game where Garvey dominated throughout. Numerous chances fell to the young forward line of Lisnagarvey and it was Matty Getty that broke the deadlock. Newry capitalized on their first short corner to level.

Garvey struck back immediately as McConkey got his well deserved goal to make it 2-1. The win propelled them to third in the Junior 1 table.