Vikings’ cup defeat is a real Knockout blow
HANDBALL
NEWCASTLE Vikings’ men’s team was knocked out of the England Handball National Cup at the first round stage, suffering a 41-15 home loss to Manchester.
The cup tie at the Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence was never going to be easy against the strong National League North side.
However, without a regular goalkeeper and with no substitutes available, the depleted Vikings were up against it from the start.
Captain Adam Mobberley took on the net role but he could do little against Manchester’s shooting accuracy.
All of Newcastle’s goals came from the back-court trio of Fedi Boussema, Julien Eng and Adam Batley, each of them netting twice in the first half.
However, the away side was already running away with the game 18-6 by the break.
The Vikings continued to give their all in the second half, with centre Eng striking four in a row in between further goals from half-players Boussema and Kafeneon player-of-the-match Batley.
However, they were unable to contain the visitors’ attacking speed and power at the other end as the higher-league side stretched its advantage.
By the time Eng was unfortunate to receive a red card in the final minute, Manchester had already easily secured a convincing 26-goal win and their place in the second round against NEM Hawks.
Newcastle Vikings: Adam Mobbeley (GK), Milan Anilkumar, Adam Batley (5 goals), Robert Thompson, Craig Swanson, Mohamed Fedi Boussema (4), Julien Eng (6).