Newry City AFC U13 4-3 Valley Rangers U13
Nathan Crudden 10, 21, 26
Ethan Patterson 31
If Under 13 matches lasted 40 minutes then Newry would have cruised to a comprehensive victory over Valley Rangers in The Showgrounds today. Instead Newry took their foot off the pedal and were nearly made to pay against a Valley team that never gave up.
Newry started extremely well playing the ball around under control and they were rewarded for their good style on 10 minutes when a shot from the Newry midfield was fumbled by the Valley keeper and Nathan Crudden was first to react to put the ball in the net.
The goal of the game came in the 21st minute when Newry doubled their lead with a great team goal. Sean McConville picked the ball up in the midfield and ran at the Valley defence. He played a pass into Tiarnan Murphy who expertly back heeled the ball into the path of the oncoming Matthew Treanor. “Mattie” let fly with a shot that was deflected into the path of the oncoming Nathan Crudden who bagged his brace with a nice finish.
The third goal, and Nathan’s hat-trick came on the 26th minute when a Tairnan Murphy free kick was too hot to handle for the Valley keeper and Nathan Crudden was there AGAIN to slot home. A lesson for anyone reading this report, follow up on every shot!
Half time came with Newry leading 3 – 0 and looking like cruising to victory. The game restarted and Newry immediately went on the attack. Miceal Murray played an intricate ball through to the newly introduced Ethan Patterson who one minute into his appearance expertly finished when facing a one-on-one against the Valley keeper.
Despite the fact that there was still nearly all the second half remaining the Newry players must have thought the game was over because their game deserted them. Valley started to play neat through balls to their centre forward that Newry couldn’t work out how to defend. These through balls resulted in goals for Valley’s number 5 on the 38th, 40th and 50th minutes.
With Newry now clinging to a one-goal advantage Tiarnan Murphy was moved into a holding midfield role and Newry managed to hold off Valley for the remaining 10 minutes.
Newry will be glad to come away with another three points, which leaves them still unbeaten and top of the table.
Man of the Match has to go to Nathan Crudden for his hat-trick but also a special mention for Miceal Murray who impressed in midfield on his debut.