Newry City produced one of the come backs of the season on Saturday at Banbridge Rangers, recovering from a two goal deficit with just over 20 minutes remaining, to win by two goals securing another valuable three league points which maintains their advantage at the top of the table. Having started lethargically Newry conceded with only four minutes on the clock, were 3-1 down at half time and whilst the travelling support would have known that their side were more than capable of a comeback it did look as if time was running out during the 2^nd half. The catalyst came on the 68^th minute when Newry’s top scorer Sean McMullan won an aerial battle at the back post to power a header past Rangers keeper Matthew Freeman to give Newry the impetus they needed to secure the victory.

On a blustery rain swept pitch Newry got an early warning when after only two minutes Stephen Taggart’s lobbed shot forced Peter Murphy to back paddle to tip the ball over the bar with his finger tips. Minutes later there was little Murphy could do about the opening goal, Colin Cunningham stealing in at the back post to meet Andy Mallens curling free kick with a precise volley which went in off the underside of Murphy’s crossbar.

Newrys reply was swift. Neil Mullen picked out Stephen McCabe on the left wing with a cross field ball. McCabe tricked his way to the end line making space for a low cross which Decky Carville met with a perfectly timed run turning the ball into the Banbridge net from close range.

Having responded so well many would have expected the league leaders to build on this goal. That however did not happen as Banbridge took control for the rest of the half racing into a 3-1 lead by half time. 

Goal number two for Rangers came after 21 minutes when a long high ball into the Newry box was partially cleared to the edge of the penalty area where Matthew McKnight  was the first to the loose ball, guiding his low shot inside the post despite the despairing dive from Murphy.

Three minutes later Newry pressed the self destruct button when they attempted to pass their way out of defence, a lateral ball across the pitch seized upon by William Frazer who played a one two with Mallen before calmly slotting his shot from the corner of the penalty area under the advancing Murphy to put Banbridge into a comfortable two goal lead which they held to the interval.

Newry were much better in the second half but could not find a way past a stubborn Rangers defensive wall which appeared content to soak up whatever Newry could throw at them. The Banbridge cause was not helped by two moments of stupidity from midfielder Scott Ward who was booked for a trip on 61 minutes and received a second yellow on 65 for a pull on the shirt of McCann, the Rangers man not waiting to be shown a red card by referee Conor Smith who had an excellent afternoons officiating despite the difficult weather conditions.

The dismissal did not give Newry any more possession as they were completely dominant at this stage but it did allow them to get extra bodies into attacking positions which bore almost immediate dividend after 68 minutes when McCabe and Grant combined for a short corner to swing a cross to the back post towards McMullan. The big man still had much to do as he out muscled Rangers captain Colin Cousins to head into the top corner from close range to give Newry that much needed lifeline.

This time they did not waste it. On 75 minutes Grant played a one two with McMullan which would have given him a free run on goal had he not been pulled back by Jonny Porter for another yellow card which were piling up for the home team. Newry kept the pressure on and drew level on 77 minutes when Thomas McCann delivered the ball into the feet of McMullan, the big man displaying fleet of foot to spin off his marker and from an acute angle fire in a low cross which Freeburn could not hold, the ball spilled to the feet of the grateful Carville who finished with his first touch.

Newrys tail was now very much up, their persistence with the pass and move brand of football causing no end of trouble for a depleted home side. And it was from yet another transgression from the Banbridge that Newry took the lead. Awarded a free kick some 35 yards from goal the mercurial Jimmy Walker stepped up to the ball blasting his shot over the wall and into the roof of the Banbridge net for a picture goal to put Newry ahead.

If that goal could be bettered then the man to do it was McMullan. Having picked the ball up in a central position some 40 yards from goal McMullan found himself with his back to goal surrounded by Banbridge players. With a number of Newry players free McMullan had the option to play a simple pass. He had however other ideas and having spotted that Freeburn had strayed from his goal line, McMullan spun round and hit a perfect dipping shot over the keeper and into the back of the Banbridge net to give Newry a two goal cushion.

With referee Smith playing an additional nine minutes to make up for play being suspended during an exceptionally heavy hail shower Newry could and probably should have added to their advantage particularly after one passing movement with added time virtually up when Walker picked the ball up in the middle of the park and ran through the home defence courtesy of neat passes  between himself, McCann, Carville and finally McMullan which ended with Walker having only Freeburn in goals to beat, alas pulling his shot the wrong side of the near post.

That however did not detract any from a splendid second half display from Newry which most likely owed a lot to whatever was said in the Newry dressing room at half time. Speaking after the game Newry manager Darren Mullen while not pleased with his team’s first half performance was heartened by their second half response “I knew this was going to be a tough game and the players were well warned before going out. The most disappointing thing is that they didn’t have to work for their goals. We were missing three players from last weeks starting eleven which disrupted us a bit but that’s not an excuse as I would expect other players to be able to step up. At half time we told them the next goal was vital and that’s all we wanted them to concentrate on. Our second goal was the lift that we needed and I felt there was going to be only one winner after that. It was a big win for us psychologically but we must know that we cannot afford to give teams easy goals like we did and that’s something we must learn from. That said it shows the character in the squad and we now have a bunch of lads who will fight to the final whistle. There is a lot we can take from this game, both good and bad as we prepare for next week’s semi final”

Newry City’s next game is a Premier Cup Semi Final on Friday 4^th December against Camlough Rovers at The Showground’s kick off 7.45pm.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, Mullen, McCaul, Walker, McCann, McCabe, Grant, McMullan, Carville. Subs: Lowry, Wilson, Sloan, Martin, Patton.

Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

Newry City maintained their rich vein of form at The Showgrounds on Saturday with a comprehensive win over high flying Cliftonville Olympic in the first round of the Intermediate Cup. On a pitch which was in remarkably good condition given the recent weather the home side played some excellent football and scored three spectacular goals which sent the Newry crowd home happy and certainly pleased Newry manager Darren Mullen “This was a complete team performance from start to finish. We knew Cliftonville would be a fit and talented bunch of young players so we needed to be organised. Not only was our shape good but our fitness levels allow us to match teams when they have the ball. Once we win the ball back the pace and movement within the team allows us to create a lot of chances. The 3-0 score line certainly doesn’t flatter us and we should have scored a few more. What we have this season is a group of players who are willing to work for 90 minutes and if we can keep that effort going we won’t be far away.”

Newry started the brighter of the two teams, their first chance coming only minutes in when Stephen McCabe curled a tantalising cross behind the defence, the ball skimming off the wet turf alas just out the reach of the sliding Keith Johnston into the grateful clutches of Cliftonville keeper Gerard Walker. McCabe went for goal himself minutes later, latching onto a Thomas McCann pass and from the corner of the box attempting to steer his shot into the far top corner the ball refusing to curl enough to tuck inside the post. With Newry pressing high up the pitch Cliftonville were struggling to get out of their own half. This hard work by Newry created the next chance, McCann straight into the tackle as Cliftonville tried to pass the ball out of defence, the breaking ball falling to Timmy Grant who quickly fed Keith Johnston wide on the right, his low cross smothered by Walker on the edge of the six yard box.

When Clintonville’s first sight of the Newry goal arrived after 20 minutes it was a real goal scoring opportunity. Attacking down the left wing the visitors fed the ball along the edge of the Newry penalty area to Matthew Henry who was initially in space but quickly found himself closed down by Newry defenders forcing him to shoot early, Peter Murphy coming to Newrys rescue with a smart save at his near post. The visitors soon had another chance Ross Lavery rising highest to meet Tiarnan McNicholl’s corner, his header back across goal missing the far post.

All half chances at this stage it was Newrys turn next. Neil Mullen played a long high pass out of defence which Johnston controlled instantly with his first touch before rolling the ball into the path of Timmy Grant who whipped the ball across the box alas straight out the other side for a Cliftonville throw.

Newry almost threw all their good work away on the half hour mark, switching off when in safe possession of the ball inside their own half, Cliftonvilles McNicholl quickly picking up the loose ball before crossing to Mark Hillen at the back post, his header back across goal missing the far post by inches.

The home side bounced back quickly. Having won a throw in deep in the Cliftonville half Graeme Edgar’s long throw found Grant with his back to goal inside the box, his touch back giving a shooting opportunity to McCabe on the edge of the box. The opening was however short lived as McCabe’s blasted effort was instantly charged down by the Cliftonville defence.

The opening goal when it came was worth waiting on. The move started on Newrys left wing McCabe skipping past his marker and swinging in a low cross which McCann met on the penalty spot just before a Cliftonville defender who charged down the shot with a challenge which saw both players floored. Johnston was first to react to the loose ball and as is so often the case he looked for his partner Sean McMullan. With a goal scorers instinct McMullan made his run from behind the centre half, twisted in mid air and using all the pace on Johnston’s cross guided his header from the penalty spot into the top corner of the Cliftonville net to put Newry a goal up at the break.

Ten minutes after the break Newry and McMullan’s second goal was just as good. With Newry piling on the pressure Cliftonville simply couldn’t get the ball clear of their goal mouth. That said the home side couldn’t get a clear strike on goal, that was until the ball fell to McMullan just inside the penalty box. Still with loads to do the big man twice feigned to shoot as he edged his way across the box before unleashing a fierce left foot drive straight into the top corner of the Cliftonville net to double the Newry advantage.

At this stage McMullan was on fire, turning provider as he raced from the half way line to collect a Niall Crilly pass before crossing for Johnston who was most unfortunate to see his first time shot blocked by the feet of the keeper when a third goal looked odds on.

There was little respite for the visiting defence. On 65 minutes McMahon picked out Johnston’s clever run behind the Cliftonville defence with a perfect pass allowing Johnson to collect the ball in his stride, check back inside the defender and thump his low shot off the base of the Cliftonville post with Walker beaten. It continued to be attack after attack for Newry but the third goal to seal the game wouldn’t come. The pace of the Newry attackers was giving Cliftonville all sorts of trouble and on 70 minutes Johnston raced clear of his marker to collect an Edgar long pass. Faced with only Walker to beat and the keeper stranded off his line Johnson chose to shoot early rather than go around the keeper which turned out to be the wrong option, his shot from distance wide off the empty goal. Johnston was doing everything but grabbing that goal. On 75 minutes McMullan won another long pass in the air nodding the pall down to his partner on the edge of the small box. Peeling off the shoulder of his marker Johnson swivelled to shoot once more unfortunate as his effort went the wrong side of the post.

While that third goal wouldn’t come there was always the chance of Cliftonville getting back into the game and with ten minutes remaining they had successive chances to do just that. First McNicholl took the ball inside the Newry box attempting to trick his path to a shooting chance. Neill Mullen who had been rock solid in defence throughout was having none of that timing his challenge to perfection to nick the ball away. Cliftonville continued to press and Murphy was called into action to preserve the two goal advantage, Ross Lavery’s shot from outside the Newry box requiring a full length dive from the Newry keeper to push the ball around the post for a corner.

As substitutions go the introduction of Declan Carville for Newry was a good as it gets. With a throw in deep in the Cliftonville half Newry made a double substitution introducing Carville and Ian Curran and it was Carville who had an immediate impact turning his marker with his first touch and with his second curling a left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the far post for an exquisite goal to round off a great victory for Newry.

Next up for Newry is an Intermediate A League match next Saturday away to Banbridge Rangers, kick off 2pm. Newry City Travel Club bus will leave the Stonebridge at 1:15pm.

Newry City AFC Team: Murphy, Crilly, Edgar, Mooney, Mullen, McMahon, McCann, Grant, McMullan, Johnston, McCabe. Subs: Curran, McCaul, Walker, Carville, Lowry, Wilson.

Cliftonville Olympic Team: Walker, Lawlon, Begley, McAllister, Doran, Donnelly, Henry, Tolan, Hillen, McNicoll, Lavery. Subs: McClory, Thompson, Gowdy.

Newry City tightened their grip at the top of Mid Ulster Intermediate football with a comprehensive victory over Ballymacash Rangers at The Showgrounds on Saturday. Determined to put last week’s first dropped points of the season behind them Newry got off to the best possible start going a goal up after only five minutes from the penalty spot and from there the point’s never looked in danger, the final four goal margin perhaps the best Ballymacash could have hoped for given the number of chances Newry created.

That early penalty which set Newry on their way came after Niall Crilly had made the most of some space on the wing, his cross partially cleared to the edge of the box where Timmy Grant was first to the ball, his touch taking him around a Rangers defender who had little choice but to take Grant down as he was about to shoot. While the referee did not see fit to deliver anymore punishment than to award the spot kick Sean McMullan did the rest planting the ball inside the post to open the scoring.

Minutes later Newry were unfortunate not to double their advantage. Keith Johnston latched onto a slip by Rangers centre half Ross Elliot, skipped past a tackle taking the ball to the end line before picking out his partner McMullan lurking inside the box. With defenders between him and the net McMullan worked his way across goal before crashing his shot off the underside of the cross bar and was the first to react to the rebound, this time denied by a fine save from Jason Campbell in the Ballymacash goal.

Johnston tormented the Rangers defence throughout the game and with 12 minutes on the clock the winger made it 2-0 for Newry. With a free kick on the halfway line Ballymacash committed men forward.  Newry keeper Peter Murphy came off his line to collect the high ball and immediately spotting that the visitors were light at the back Murphy played an early long pass towards Johnston. Johnston cleverly gauged the flight of the ball better than his marker leaving him a one on one with the Rangers keeper which the Newry man won with ease, rounding the keeper and planting the ball into the empty net to double Newrys advantage.

Johnston had a chance to make it three after 15 minutes. Having switched to the left wing Johnston timed his run to beat the offside trap collecting a pass from Chris McMahon and from the corner of the box opened his body to shot for the far corner, Campbell diving full length to save.

With some quality forwards Rangers were always going to be a threat and on 20 minutes it took a sliding clearance at the near post from Neil Mullen to protect the Newry goal after Jordan Campbell had curled a dangerous ball from the right wing into the Newry goal mouth. Spirits raised by this Ballymacash pulled a goal back on 25 minutes when a fine passing movement found Kenny Campbell inside the Newry box and he gave Murphy little chance drilling a low shot past the advancing Newry keeper to put his side back in the game.

That was however as good as it got for the visitors as Newry were straight back on the attack. McMullan won a crunching tackle in the middle of the park, the ball breaking back to Graeme Edgar. Edgar played a first time pass over the defence for Stephen McCabe to run onto, McCabe making ground before whipping in a low cross which the Rangers defence did well to clear over their own cross bar.

Newry chances kept coming, Johnston once more switching wings and leaving the covering defender in his wake as he took the ball to the end line before firing in a low cross which McMullan met first time from close range, Campbell making a reaction save with his feet to once more deny Newry’s top scorer.

With ten minutes remaining in the first half Newry restored the two goal advantage. With a free kick wide on the left Newry had all their big men at the back post but it was to be Timmy Grant making a run to the front post who rose highest to steer McCabe’s free kick to the far top corner with a glancing header for a fine goal.

Two goals in arrears at half time Ballymacash had the first goal scoring chance of the second half, James Guiney cutting in from the right wing into the Newry box only to be foiled by Murphy who was quickly off his line to make a splendid save with his legs.

On the hour mark Newry made the game safe. Thomas McCann who has added real quality to the Newry midfield this season won the ball in a tackle midway inside the Rangers half. Quickly regaining his feet McCann found McMullan wide on the right wing, the big man wasting little time to pick out McCabe at the back post with a perfect pass which McCabe slammed past Campbell with a first time shot for Newry’s fourth goal.

Goal number five for Newry was perhaps the best of the day. From defence Crilly pitched a pass forward which Grant won on the half way line with a glancing header to Mark Lowry. Lowry toyed with his marker waiting on Johnston to make his run across goal before laying in yet another low cross which Johnston met on the run with a low first time shot which flew into the bottom corner before Campbell had a chance to react.

That was to be the final goal of the day although Newry had one more chance with time running out, Paddy Mooney who had another strong game in the home defence, venturing up field for a McCabe corner unlucky to see his volley blocked on the Rangers goal line by a covering defender.

Raymie Byrne, Newry assistant manager who was in charge for the game was content with his team’s performance “We went 4-4-2 today with Keith Johnston and Sean McMullan up top and from the kick off we looked dangerous.  It was a credit to the players how many goal scoring opportunities we created against a very good and well organised Ballymacash team.  The intensity and shape of the team was excellent with the players understanding the importance of getting back to winning ways. In all a great team performance full of character and fight!”

Newry City’s next match is on Saturday, 21^st November at home to Cliftonville Olympic in the Intermediate Cup, kick off 1:30 pm.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, Edgar, Mooney, Mullen, McMahon, McCann, Grant, Johnston, McMullan, McCabe, Subs: Lowry, Curran, Martin, Wilson, Kerr