Newry City U16’s gained another 3 valuable points, when they defeated Belfast team Grosvenor on Saturday morning, 6th April, at Wallace Park, Lisburn. The pitch was far from perfect but both teams played some excellent football in an evenly contested first half. Grosvenor threatened to score first when they caught out the Newry defence, but couldn’t get past goalkeeper Colm McEvoy, who made a superb save to deny the Grosvenor striker.
Newry’s Cathal Boylan was also very unlucky when he rose highest to meet Ciaran Murphy’s cross from the right wing, with his header crashing off the post and away to safety. Other chances for Newry followed. Kevin Boyle curled an inviting cross into the penalty area which was met by Mark McCabe, but he couldn’t believe his luck when the Grosvenor keeper stuck out a leg to deny him the opening goal. Another chance fell to Josh Durnin, but unfortunately his chipped shot just cleared the crossbar.
In the second half Newry’s confidence grew and they started to dictate the play. The deadlock was broken ten minutes into the second half when McCabe headed home Murphy’s long range pass from the left wing to put Newry one up. But as so often happens in football, before Newry got back into their stride the score was level. Newry lost the ball in midfield and Grosvenor pushed forward taking full advantage of Newry’s lapse in concentration, and lashing the ball into the back of the net.
At one each the game could have gone the either way, but the Newry lads worked hard and got back in front with an excellent goal from the hard working Cathal Boylan. Newry pushed on subs, Devlin, McGivern and Henry as they searched for a third and decisive goal to seal the victory. The goal duly arrived through the boot of Lee Courtney, when he seized an opportunity in a crowded goalmouth, smashing the ball past the helpless Grosvenor goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Shane O’Hagen and Daire Rooney were introduced to the game late on, before chances fell to Newry’s Conor McGivern and Dylan Devlin and with a bit more luck they could have easily extended Newry’s advantage.
All in all it was a very convincing win which sets City up for Friday night’s league game at home to Glen Star. This game will be played at Newry Showgrounds and is scheduled for a 7.00pm kick off, (Friday 12th April).
Newry’s team: Mark McCabe (1) , Cathal Boylan (1), Lee Courtney (1) , Colm McEvoy, Ryle O’Hanlon, Kevin Boyle, Ciaran Murphy, Ed Barfield, Stephen King, Josh Durnin, , Jordan Pinnington. Subs: Shane O’Hagen, Dylan Devlin, David Henry, Conor McGivern.