Newry City gathered another valuable three points on Tuesday night with an emphatic win over Seapatrick thanks to a hat trick from the mercurial Jimmy Walker, a brace from Sean Hand and the obligatory strike from Sean McMullan.  Although that six goal victory was probably the minimum winning margin that the home side deserved Newry manager Darren Mullen was happy to seal the points and move on to the weekend game at Ballymacash “Although the scoreline doesn’t flatter us we still made hard work of the game in the first half. We needed to improve in the second and certainly did that without ever really being troubled. The conditions didn’t help either team but we created loads of chances and looked dangerous every time we went forward. Decky Carville’s return to the team gives us another dimension and he works well alongside Walker and McCann. It was also great to see Stephen McCabe back in action and I’ve no doubt he will be a huge asset to us for the remainder of the season. The clean sheet was also pleasing considering we uncharacteristically conceded three in our last game. Saturday’s game will be a lot tougher but one we are looking forward to.’

In a game that they would have expected to win it was important that Newry got off to a good start and they got the early goal they needed after only eight minutes, Keith Johnston crossing from the right wing, McMullan’s run to the front post attracting the Seapatrick defence, the ball eluding everyone except Hand who had held his run outside the box and was now able to take a touch before drilling the ball into the bottom corner of the net to put Newry an early goal up.

Seapatrick had an immediate chance to reply Michael Cunningham’s shot from the edge of the box squirming under Newry keeper Peter Murphy who quickly reacted to smother the ball with Cunningham following up.

At the other end McMullan almost made it two, taking possession on the edge of the box with his back to goal the big man shifted the ball to his left in doing so losing his marker and with Buchanan advancing from his line McMullan took the clever option, deftly chipping the ball over his head only to be denied by Adam Kerr who got back to hook the ball over his own crossbar.

On twenty minutes it was to be 2-0, neat interplay between Decky Carville and Hand ended when the later was taken down inside the box, the referee with little option but to award a penalty to Newry which was safely tucked home by McMullan for his 33rd goal of the season.

Completely dominant, Newry’s failure was that they only added a further goal before half time and a collector’s item it was. Carville and Johnston combining to make room to cross into the box finding the unlikely head of Jimmy Walker who cleverly nodded the ball over Buchanan to put Newry 3-0 up at the break.

Straight after the break it was 4-0, Hand winning a race with Walker for a loose ball which he took on the bounce lobbing over the advancing Buchanan to seal any faint hopes which Seapatrick might have harboured.

That said the visitors never stopped competing and broke forward in numbers at every opportunity. However they never looked like breaching a composed Newry defence and ultimately this attacking attitude produced further chances for Newry.

Goal number five came on the hour mark, Walker broke forward and with a host of choices he slipped the ball to the recently introduced Mark Patton who blasted in a shot which Buchanan could only block out to Walker who had continued his run into the box and was now perfectly placed to give the keeper no chance as he claimed Newry’s fifth.

In miserable conditions Newry were content to keep possession but still created enough opportunities to hit double figures before the final whistle with wayward shooting and some fine saves from Buchanan keeping the score line respectable. That was until the final moments when Newry could have had three goals in as many minutes. First Thomas McCann, who had yet another power house display in the Newry mid field, picked the ball upon the half way line, carrying possession to the edge of the box before bringing the best out of Buchanan with a dipping shot which the keeper did well to push wide. Newry had also introduced Mark Lowry and he created the next chance slipping a clever ball through the Seapatrick defence for Walker to run onto, Walker’s fleet of foot to twist in possession too much for a weary Seapatrick defender who took his legs away resulting in Newrys second penalty of the evening. Eyeing a hat trick Walker claimed the spot kick but was denied the goal, pulling the spot kick the wrong side of the post. However, he was not to be denied the match ball for long as with time running out the mid fielder picked the ball up in the centre of the pitch and ran at Seapatrick defence before picking his spot from the edge of the area to claim his hat trick and much deserved Man of the Match award!

Newry City: Murphy, McMahon, Edgar, Mullen, Curran, McCann, Walker, Johnston, Carville, Hand Subs: Patton, Lowry, McCabe, McVerry, Martin

Newry City 3-3 Crewe United

Newry staged a dramatic late comeback to salvage their unbeaten league record against Crewe United on an afternoon of high drama at a sunny, but cold, Newry Showgrounds. A close encounter had been predicted, the visitors having lost only once in the league themselves, but few expected the two sides with the best defensive records in Intermediate A to share six goals. As it transpired, Crewe looked set for victory before Newry’s late salvo stunned the Glenavy side.

There was little sign of what was to follow during a cagey opening, with Crewe defending deep and Newry finding it difficult to create any meaningful chances. The first incident of note came just after the quarter hour mark when Newry were awarded a free kick inside the box, after Crewe goalkeeper Stephen Harbinson picked up a back pass on the six yard line. The keeper redeemed himself with a fine save from Jimmy Walker’s free, before Mark Patton’s follow up was cleared off the Crewe line by a defender, with Newry making loud appeals for a handball.

Sean McMullan and Kevin McArdle had further half chances for Newry before Crewe struck with their first real attack of note. The lively Mark McCullough struck from distance and Peter Murphy helped his effort round the post, but from the resulting corner, big defender Stephen Curley was left in acres of space to fire home. 

Newry looked to hit back quickly but were getting little change out of the well drilled visiting rear-guard, with Crewe beginning to look increasingly dangerous on the break. However, with half time approaching, Newry won a corner and when Mark Patton’s header was blocked; the ball fell to Ian Curran who blasted home the equaliser.

Buoyed by the goal, Newry started the second moiety on the front foot and had a great chance to take the lead when McArdle burst through and faced by the advancing Harbinson, he seemed to be caught between passing or shooting, ultimately doing neither and the danger was cleared. How costly that would prove as Crewe immediately worked the ball up the field to McCullough who ran in behind the Newry defence and chipped Murphy to restore the Crewe lead. 

Newry responded well, McArdle bursting through again, but this time the midfielder was bundled over, with the home side again claiming for a penalty. Nothing given and things took another turn for the worse as almost immediately Newry went further behind. They were caught on their heels in midfield and Crewe defender William McCracken will do well to catch one as cleanly as the effort he rifled in to the top corner from distance, with Murphy rooted to the spot. 

Newry manager Darren Mullen had seen enough and sprang Mark Lowry and Declan Carville from the bench, as he sought to ask different questions of a Crewe defence that had in the main dealt well with everything Newry threw at them. It took a while, but gradually the pace and running power of Carville in particular began to nudge Crewe out of their comfort zone.

Crewe were now on the back foot, but aside from a Harbinson save from Walker, Newry, for all their possession, were struggling to create real chances. McMullan almost got on the end of an exquisite through ball from Carville, but for once the big man’s touch let him down and Harbinson smothered. 

As the game entered the final ten minutes it looked as if Newry were about to surrender their proud home record before they were handed a life line. Mark Lowry’s quick feet were too much for Craig Leworthy who scythed down the Newry man inside the box. McMullan was the man to step up and he slotted home an inch perfect penalty. No margin for error here, as Harbinson went the right way, but McMullan’s penalty was right into the corner. 

Newry had a sniff of something but Crewe weren’t for capitulating lightly. Indeed it took until the final minute for the home team to create another clear chance, a lovely passing move releasing full back Chris McMahon, but his shot from a tight angle was saved by Harbinson. There was, however, a final sting in the tail as the game entered injury time. Ian Curran strode forward to deliver a long ball to McMullan who controlled well and although his effort was blocked, the ball fell to Neil Mullen who slotted home to the delight of the Newry support. Three goals in four games for the manager’s brother, but none as important as this.

Speaking after the game, manager Mullen commented that the game proved to be every bit as tough as he’d anticipated; “they are an experienced, well organised side and after how the game panned out I’m happy with the point. We had a lot of possession throughout the game but gave a lot of ball away and got punished with two very well taken goals in the second half. When we were 1-3 down the message to the players was that we are now being tested and can we respond. The introduction of Mark and Decky gave us the pace and movement we needed to open them up and once we got back to 2-3 I knew we would get another chance. It was a very cool finish from Neil as a makeshift centre forward and shows we have goals throughout the team. There’s a lot we need to improve on from this game, but that said we remain unbeaten and the manner of our comeback keeps confidence high within the squad. There’s a great spirit within this group and they refuse to accept defeat until the final whistle. Crewe will also take points from the other top teams but all we can do is focus on ourselves for the remaining 12 league games.”

The first of the remaining twelve takes place at the Showgrounds on Tuesday evening when Newry host Seapatrick (7.45pm) and City follow that up with a trip to Ballymacash Rangers next Saturday (2.15pm). The Supporter’s Club bus leaves the Stone Bridge at 1pm on Saturday and all are welcome to come along and support the team. 

Newry City: Murphy, Mooney, McMahon, Mullen, Curran, McCann, Walker, McArdle (Lowry), McMullan, Patton (Carville), Johnston (Hand). Subs not used: Edgar, Richmond.

Newry City moved safely into the fourth round of the Mid Ulster Marshal Cup in Portadown on Saturday but it certainly was not a straightforward victory as it may have looked on paper against a Ballyoran side who ply their trade two divisions below the Newry boys.

Indeed it was the home side who were first on the attack Newry keeper Jack McShane fast off his line to block at the feet of Michael McConville. Newry immediately hit back, McShane’s kick out causing confusion in the Ballyoran defence allowing Keith Johnston to ghost in behind to meet the bouncing ball with a first time lobbed shot which beat Martin Savage in the Ballyoran goal only to fall the wrong side of the crossbar. Newrys slow start continued, Ian Curran going closest after 25 minutes with a headed effort from a corner which flashed wide of the far post. And it was to be minutes before the half time until either keeper was called into action once more. Again it was Newry threatening the goal, Thomas McCann interrupting a phase of patient passing across the middle of the pitch to burst forward and fire in a dipping shot which forced Savage to fist to the edge of the box where Sean McMullan was first to the loose ball, Savage once more coming to his teams rescue pushing McMullan’s effort wide.

Newry opened the scoring after 55 minutes with a beautifully created goal. A move which started with left back Graeme Edgar the visitors moved play up the wing but with the ball hugging the sideline and plenty of covering defenders there looked to be little threat to the Ballyoran goal. That was until McCann displayed fleet of foot, skipping inside and outside markers before whipping in a left footed cross which Kevin McArdle met with a glancing header to guide the ball past Savage to put Newry a goal up.

To their credit Ballyoran hit straight back, Newry failing to clear a long throw in allowing Ciaran McCann to get a clear sight of goal and he made no mistake drilling his shot past McShane to level the scores.

Newry had a great chance to regain the lead on 70 minutes with a chance which was very similar to a chance in the first half. This time Edgar spotted the run of Johnston behind the defence once more giving the Newry winger the chance to lob Savage, unfortunately the result was similar to that in the first half the ball again beating the cross bar.

Newry however were not to be denied and grabbed the winner on 80 minutes. Mark Patton, who had looked lively having been introduced mid way during the half powered a header from the edge of the box off the cross bar with Neil Mullen the first to react volleying the rebound into the roof of the Ballyoran net for what turned out to be the winning goal.

Content with the win after the game Newry manager Darren Mullen commented “This was a hard fought win and a game we probably needed after our two previous victories. Credit to Ballyoran, they made it difficult for us and we needed to be patient in breaking them down. We had plenty of possession throughout the game and are learning that if we keep moving the ball we will eventually create enough chances. It was also a good physical game which we are more than capable of dealing with and will put us in good stead for some of our away games in the league. Mark Patton made an obvious difference when he came on and shows the quality we have in the squad. We have players of the calibre of McCabe, Grant, Walker, Carville, McCaul, Lowry and of course Peter Murphy all to come back so competition for places will prove a good headache for me over the coming weeks. Whilst the league is our priority we would like to win another cup and we will look forward to the next round away to St Mary’s.”

Newry City AFC Team: Jack McShane, Paddy Mooney, Graeme Edgar, Neil Mullen, Ian Curran, Chris McMahon, Thomas McCann, Kevin McArdle, Sean McMullan, Karl McVerry, Keith Johnston. Subs: Mark Patton, Sean Hand, Ben Wilson, Peter Murphy.

Newry City cemented their position at the top of Mid Ulster football with a comfortable victory over Broomhill at The Newry Showgrounds on Friday night.  Although the win was secured with four first half goals like many previous games this season the foundation for the win was yet another clean sheet, a fact which was not lost on manager Darren Mullen  “Whilst it’s good to score another four goals it’s also very pleasing not to concede a goal. We have been very solid defensively conceding only nine goals in thirteen league games and that work starts from the front three. Anyone watching us this season will see how hard the whole team works off the ball. Our first half performance was some of the best football we have played this season. In comparison to last week we moved the ball quicker in the right areas and our movement off the ball caused them all sorts of problems.

“Kevin McArdle scored two, set up the first and has been a great addition to the team which shows the benefit of Robbie Casey’s role at the club. With the adverse weather our pitch hasn’t been in great condition but that hasn’t stopped us playing the way we like to and it’s a credit to the players in adapting to it. Although we didn’t score in the second half we still played well and were rarely troubled. We are now at the half way point in the league and I’ve no doubt the players will continue to work equally as hard in our quest for success.”

The home side opened the scoring after ten minutes with a beautifully worked goal started by Chris McMahon. Receiving the ball on the half way line McMahon made ground into the Broomhill half before picking out McArdle at the back post with a diagonal pass. In turn McArdle cushioned a header back across the box to Newry’s goal machine McMullan who nodded the ball back over the advancing Broomhill keeper to put Newry a goal up.

It was all Newry pressure with chances coming thick and fast. On 20 minutes a home corner was cleared to the edge of the box from where Jimmy Walker picked his spot in the bottom corner of the Broomhill net only to be denied by an excellent diving save from Mark Gough. Minutes later and Gough was once more in action, Walker cutting the Broomhill defence apart with a ball inside the left back which Paddy Mooney ran on to before drilling a ball across the box which Keith Johnston met with a first time shot unfortunately straight at a grateful Gough.

On 25 minutes those involved in goal number one repeated the dose for number two. Again McMahon made his way forward before playing a neat ball into the feet of McMullan who wasted no time laying the ball into the path of McArdle as he arrived inside the box, McArdle firing a first time shot into the Broomhill net to double Newry’s advantage.

And five minutes later Newry’s stand out player on the evening McArdle grabbed his second courtesy of a strong challenge from Thomas McCann which won possession and then a clever pass from Walker which picked out the run of McArdle into the box, the Dundalk man taking one touch to beat his marker before shooting across Gough into the far bottom corner of the net to wrap the points up for the home side with only 30 minutes on the clock.

That however didn’t end the scoring in the first period, goal number four for Newry coming on 40 minutes when McMahon released Johnston on Newrys left, the winger speeding past his marker before threading a ball across the face of goal and with McMullan waiting to tap in a Broomhill defender got there before him to turn the ball into his own net to put Newry four goals up at the break.

The second half never scaled the entertainment heights that the first had set, the momentum for the home side seemingly lost minutes into the second half when a poor tackle on the recently introduced Conor McCaul saw the stylish defender stretchered off but thankfully after treatment able to take his place on the bench. And so the second half was notable only for two moments, Johnston rattling a shot from 25 yards off the Broomhill crossbar and a fine save from Newry keeper Peter Murphy who had to show quick footwork along his goal line to save at the base of the post after a diagonal ball to the back post found Broomhills Ben Steen, his downward header turned around the post by Murphy for a corner.

Newry City’s next game is on Saturday 27^th Feb away to Ballyoran in the Marshall Cup, kick off 2pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave The Stonebridge at 1pm sharp, all are welcome.

There will also be a fundraiser on Saturday night (27^th Feb) in association with NCAFC in Belinis Bar & Restaurant Newry. The evening will include a quiz, raffle, auction and live music from David Anderson. Doors will open at 8.30pm, £5 entrance.

Newry City AFC Man of the Match: Kevin McArdle

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Mooney, McMahon, Mullen, Curran, McArdle, Walker, McCann, McMullan, Johnston, Lowry. Subs: McCaul, Edgar, McVerry, Patton, Hand. 

Photographs  Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

The Newry City AFC Committee and Management would like to congratulate Newry City AFC First Team player Jimmy Walker on his recent call up to the Northern Ireland Regions Squad.

Speaking to Newry Manager Darren Mullen he commented “Jimmy’s call up to the Regions Squad is not only a great boost for him but also for the club. He has always been a very talented footballer but because he has bought into the work ethic that we have installed in the squad his game has greatly improved. It’s also a tribute to his teammates who have helped Jimmy develop and we are all delighted that he is representing the club in this manner.”