Newry U-13’s got back to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season to a well drilled Barcroft team on the previous Saturday.

In a match full of excellent play from both teams Newry finally broke through the Banbridge defence after 11 minutes. A free kick won by Shea Morgan in the middle of the field was quickly taken by Tiarnan Murphy who sent Joe Connolly through to slot the ball into the far corner just out of reach of the Banbridge Keeper.(Who had denied Newry with 2 excellent save early on).

Banbridge replied with some neat play and took the best out of the Newry defence. James Poucher and Tiarnan Russell made a number of important challenges to quell the Banbridge attack and bring to end an exciting first half.

From the restart Newry upped their game and started to play some neat flowing football from the back with some excellent passing moves which again only for some excellent keeping by an alert Banbridge keeper would have put Newry further ahead. The second goal finally came after quick thinking by the Newry defence sent Sean Mc Conville through on goal. With the keeper advancing Sean cooly lifted the ball over the keeper and into the back of the Banbridge net.

Newry were now in control of the game and as Banbridge pushed forward in search a goal that would get them back into the game they left holes for the home side to try and exploit. Sean Mc Conville took a quick throw to Tiarnan Murphy who neatly split open the Banbridge defence to allow Nathan Crudden to run through and drill home a low shot past the keeper and seal off an impressive win for the visiting Newry team.

It has to be said that this was an excellent exhibition of open play from both teams and that the league placing of Banbridge doesn’t do this well drilled team justice.  A great team performance from Newry all round which hopefully the boys can bring to their next game against Lisdrum Celtic.

It has to be said it was great to see so many parents travel to Banbridge to support the team and the club thank them for the encouragement and help they are giving the youth academy staff and coaches over the past few months.

Newry City AFC U13 2-0 Killowen Celtic U13

(Joseph Connolly 26, Tiarnan Murphy 35)

On what was a soggy but playable back pitch at the Showgrounds Saturday morning, Newry won a deserved victory to stay unbeaten in the league. Newry again started slowly struggling to get to grips with the heavy surface. Their usual passing game left them as they attempted long balls from the back that were gratefully cleaned up by the Killowen keeper and defence.

Killowen, playing a passing game themselves, had the first great chance in the 12^th minute to take the lead when their player dribbled into the box and was taken down by Tiarnan Russell for which a penalty was rightly awarded. Unfortunately for them the strike was wide of the target.

With 20 minutes gone, Newry started to get into the game realizing that they would create more chances keeping the ball on the ground. They were rewarded on 26 minutes when on a dribbling run; Sean McConville was fouled outside just outside the box. Tiarnan Murphy stepped up and delivered a cross right under the cross bar which the Killowen keeper got a hand to but only succeeded in palming into the path of Joseph Connolly who headed into the back of the net.

Half time came and went and Newry continued with their good style of football. It was an even enough game but Newry pulled further clear on 35 minute when Killowen played a ball down their right wing that was intercepted by Matthew McGinn. Matthew took the ball on a run, beating one player before feeding the ball to Tiarnan Murphy. Tairnan then beat two men and from a tight angle passed the ball around the Killowen keeper and into the side of the net.

Newry were now in control of the game and as Killowen pushed forward in search a goal that would get them back into the game they left holes for the home side to try and exploit. Unfortunately they didn’t and the closest they came was a shot off the post by Caolan Murray.

The game ended 2-0 to the home side. Overall, after a slow start the management were pleased with the way the team finished the last 40 minutes, moving the ball efficiently and quickly.  Next up, Moneyslane away.

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 21^st 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 26^th 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 38^th, 40^th and 50^th 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.