South sitting pretty after edging out Students to gain another win

South went there with confidence having already defeated the same opposition 3-0 in the Linden Cup group stages back in September.

It was a little closer this time round but they left with a relieving 2-1 victory to continue their stunning run and charge for the league title.

Whilst Queen’s enjoyed the early possession in the game, they could not capitalise on the winning of three short corners as the South defence remained resolute.

And their resilience paid off as it was South who eventually drew first blood after 15 minutes. A marauding run from left-back Jonathon Patterson ultimately led to the winning of a short corner, which Adam Glass duly converted.

Minutes later and South had doubled their lead. Paul Maguire received the ball on the half way line and, with some wing wizardry, waltzed his way past the Queen’s right midfielder and right back before playing in Ward Phillips who fizzed home an unstoppable reverse stick effort.

Queen’s halved the deficit five minutes before the interval. A rather hopeful long ball found its way to forward Gavin Leckey who made no mistake from 10 yards.

After the break, Queen’s continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession but without really troubling Mark Hutchinson in the South goal. An uncharacteristic error at the back from South skipper Lee Marshall allowed Queen’s a clear opportunity through on goal, but the resulting shot failed to hit the target.

South, as ever, continued to look dangerous on the break with Ward Phillips and Adam Marshall in particular carrying the ball well from midfield. And the visitors should have put the game to bed when Paul Maguire went through on goal but his final pass to Simon Watt went astray and the opportunity was squandered.

In the end, it was not the most convincing of performances from South, but a win nonetheless which maintains their excellent start to the league campaign.

This Saturday sees a break from league action as the men travel to Limerick to take on Catholic Institute in the Irish Hockey Trophy.

The club wishes to thank December’s Sponsor of the Month - The Plough/Bar Retro.