With one game left to play in 2016 and after losing our last four games in all competitions it would be fair to think that there is an air of despondency about the club. Whilst recent results certainly haven’t been good enough and need turned around sooner rather than later, the mood amongst our group is nothing but positive. We all know we can play a lot better and once we have a full squad to choose from I have no doubt performances and results will return to those as per the early part of the season. It’s also easy to forget the magnificent year that we have had after achieving our initial goal of returning to Irish League football. To be sitting 4th in the league and still be disappointed shows how far we have come but also serves as a warning in not to be getting ahead of ourselves.

This is a really tough league and one where you get punished when not performing at a high level. That said we now know we are well fit for this league and certainly have not been well beaten by any side. It’s a steep learning curve for players and management but one that we must adapt to quickly to allow us to progress. We have a really good group of players who are proud to pull on the Newry jersey and I can’t fault them for their attitude or commitment. It’s during testing periods like this that you learn more about your players and also myself as a manager but I have no doubt we will all look back on this run as an experience that made us stronger.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players and coaching staff at every level throughout the club for the contribution they have made this year in ensuring the club is progressing. We need a constant flow of good young local players that are fit to play senior football and I know they are working hard to ensure that happens. I would also like to thank our committee and match day staff for their support and dedication in what is a voluntary role. Their work off the pitch means that we have a better chance of success on the pitch. Good sponsors are hard to find but we have been very lucky in that respect and we really do appreciate their continued support.

Finally I would like to thank our supporters for their unwavering support. We have given them plenty to cheer about over the past 3 years and hopefully that continues in 2017. On behalf of the players and coaching staff I would like to wish everyone a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Yours in sport,

Darren.

Newry City’s run of poor results continued on Saturday with a defeat away to local rivals Banbridge Town. And as in previous games the Newry boys have themselves to blame, this time losing the lead to opposition who had earlier been reduced to ten men. That said, the Newry supporters will also point to a penalty decision by referee Banks which simply baffled most of those present and which ultimately provided the home side with the winning goal. All of this excitement arrived in the second half after an opening 45 minutes which saw lots of neat passing but little in the way of goal mouth action, Jordan King and Mark Hughes linking up on the left to create Newry’s only decent chance of the half, a shot from the edge of the penalty area from Jimmy Walker which was dealt with by Banbridge keeper Tuda Murphy. For their part the hosts also struggled to create anything worthwhile, defender Danny Devlin making the most of a lapse in concentration from Newry to steal forward and collect a throw in before testing Peter Murphy, the Newry custodian equal to the task.

The second half started with much more vibrancy then the first, Conor McCaul finding Sean McMullan on the edge of the box, the Newry striker immediately feeding the ball to Mark Hughes who drilled his shot over the bar. On 55 minutes Newry had a great chance to open the scoring when Walker floated a corner to the back post where Ian Curran had found space but was unable to get his header on target. On the hour mark Banbridge had a fleeting chance, a dangerous free kick from player manager Stuart King requiring the intervention of Mark Patton to snuff out the threat.

Minutes later saw a moment of madness from the Banbridge player manager when he slid into a reckless challenge for a loose ball with Newry’s Mark McCabe. While the Newry player did well to avoid any damaging contact Banks had no hesitation in showing King a straight red card. Newry immediately made the most of the extra man advantage, Hughes cleverly finding Walker on the edge of the box, Walker adjusting his feet for a swerving shot on goal which Murphy could only knock down, perfect for the alert McCabe to snap up the chance to give Newry the lead.

Banbridge reacted in the best way possible drawing level within a matter of minutes. Created by Devlin on the left wing his cross was headed from almost the goal line but only to the edge of the box perfectly for Kevin Anderson to meet on the volley smashing the ball in off the underside of the Newry crossbar. While both sides swapped half chances the defining moment of the game came courtesy of referee Banks with ten minutes left. From a corner on the right Newry keeper Murphy punched the ball clear only to see Banks inexplicably pointing to the penalty spot for an infringement which it appeared only he witnessed and which no Banbridge player appealed. Despite the disbelief of the Newry players the decision stood and from the penalty Ryan Moffatt sent Peter Murphy the wrong way drilling a low shot into the bottom corner for the winning goal.

Although this was Newrys fourth defeat on the trot manager Darren Mullen took some encouragement from his team’s performance ‘Although it’s another defeat unlike previous games there are positives to take from it. I certainly can’t fault the players for their work rate and effort throughout the game but basic defensive errors have cost us dear again. Our shape was good in what was a very tight game with limited chances but once we went ahead especially against ten men then there are no excuses for throwing the game away. Their equaliser albeit a super strike should have been closed down quicker and then to concede what was never a penalty makes it harder to take. That said we need to turn things around very quickly and as manager it’s up to me to make sure that happens.’

Newry City now turn their attention to the next league match away to Limavady on the 30^th December, kick off 8pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave The Stonebridge at 4:15pm.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Edgar, McCaul, Curran, King, McMahon, Walker, Patton, McMullan, McCann, Hughes. Subs: McCabe, Grant, McArdle, Havern, Mooney.

Check out NCAFC Manager Darren Mullens interview with Kevin McAllister on QRadio prior to tonights Bob Radcliffe Cup Semi Final at the Showgrounds. KO8pm.

Newry City’s run of poor form continued on Saturday with visitors Lisburn Distillery leaving the Showgrounds with maximum points. The game opened slowly for both sides, the stalemate lasting until the 24^th minute when Timmy Clarke got behind the Newry defence to swing a perfect cross into the box allowing Darren Bell to get the better of two Newry defenders to place his header back over Newry keeper Peter Murphy to put the whites a goal up.

Minutes later and Clarke once more lost his marker wide on the left, this time drilling a low ball into the box which Murphy did well to deflect away with his legs. This appeared to spark some life into Newry and they almost drew level, Decky Carville breaking through the Lisburn defence before back heeling to Jimmy Walker. With his first attempt blocked Walker spotted that the Lisburn keeper Tony Galbraith had come off his goal line and curled the ball over the keeper unfortunate to see it cannon off the cross bar.

A potential game changer arrived around the half hour mark when referee David Kelly judged that Tyrell McCrory’s challenge on Thomas McCann was worthy of a straight red card. The numerical advantage initially seemed to spur Newry, Kevin McArdle pushing forward from right back to try his luck from the edge of the box, Galbraith diving to turn the ball around the post to maintain his teams lead at half time.

The second half opened with an expectancy amongst the home support that Newry’s passing game would create chances presented with a full 45 minutes against ten men. However, a well drilled Lisburn side ensured that would not be the case with goal scoring opportunities for the home side limited to a few half chances. On 50 minutes a period of patient passing saw McArdle find room on the right wing, his cross headed wide by McCann.

Faced with a stubborn defence the home side resorted to trying their luck with long balls into the Lisburn box in the hope that a knock down from Carville or Mark Patton would create an equalizer. They were however limited to half chances, a snap shot from Sean McMullan from the edge of the box and a header at the back post by Carville from a Keith Johnston cross the best they could muster. And with time running out Newry were made to pay for their lack of creativity when a loose pass out of defence was picked up by Timmy Clarke who made some ground before blasting an unstoppable shot past Murphy to double the Lisburn advantage.

The final chance of the game also went the way of the visitors and with the points already secured the travelling Lisburn supporters would not have been overly annoyed when Paul Young’s clever chip shot came back off the crossbar to leave the final score 2-0 to Lisburn Distillery.

Obviously disappointed with a second defeat in as many weeks Newry manager Darren Mullen will look for a big response from his team on Tuesday night “There’s no doubt we aren’t playing well at the minute but the only way we are going to turn it around is by working hard together. We started the game well but were poor for the remainder and didn’t deserve anything out of it. Although there are no easy games in this league we aren’t giving ourselves a chance with how we are playing. We aren’t creating enough and need to defend a lot better but the good thing is we have a chance to rectify that in what is a massive game for us on Tuesday night. We can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves and it’s now a test not only of our ability but also our character.

On Tuesday 13^th December at The Showgrounds Newry City will play Coagh Utd in the semi-final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup, kick off 8pm. On Saturday 17^th December Newry travel to play local rivals Banbridge Town, kick off 2pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave the Stonebridge at 1pm, all welcome.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, McArdle, King, McCaul, Mullen, Patton, Walker, McCann, Carville, Havern, Hughes. Subs: McMullan, Johnston, Edgar, McMahon, Curran.

It has now been confirmed that our Bob Radcliffe Cup Semi Final against Coagh Utd will take place at Newry Showgrounds on Tuesday 13th December. Kick off at 8pm. This ruling means that Saturday’s Premier Intermediate League game against Lisburn Distillery will go ahead as scheduled at the Showgrounds KO 3pm.