Newry forced to settle for a point!

Although the other result at the top of the league on the day went in their favour Newry City will feel like Saturdays draw away to Lurgan Town was a chance missed to cement their place at the top of Mid Ulster B. Having beaten Lurgan by five goals earlier in the season Newry would have approached this game in a confident manner but were unable to reach the level of fluent football that they have displayed all season. And even with that this was still a game Newry should have won having twice taken the lead and missing some great chances.

Unusually Newry didn’t create a goal chance until the 10th minute when Jimmy Walker played a short free kick on the left wing to Sean Hand. Hand took the ball to the end line and whipped in a cross which Mark Patton rose highest to win, his glancing header going wide of the back post. And Patton was again close on 15 minutes when he controlled a pass from Niall Crilly on the corner of the Lurgan box turning quickly and shooting, his effort going narrowly over the cross bar with the Lurgan keeper beaten. The home side a chance of their own minutes later when Adam Stewart broke down Newry’s right and whipped a dangerous cross along the six yard box which fortunately evaded everybody going out for a throw on the opposite side.

Newry took the lead on the 20th minute when David Anderson and Crilly combined to find Neil Barr on the corner of the Lurgan box, Barr immediately pivoting and firing a low drive to the far corner of the Lurgan net. The lead did not last long however as the home side equalized on 25 minutes when the Newry defence failed to deal with a corner, a looping header from the penalty spot beating Peter Murphy in the Newry goal.

Barr threatened again on the half hour mark. Chris McMahon picked up the ball in the middle of the field before finding David Anderson wide on the right. Anderson fired in a high cross which Barr rose to meet, his powerful header flying past the upright with Chris Davidson in the home goal beaten. Davidson however was not beaten on 37 minutes when he launched himself to his right to stop a Jimmy Walker shot from outside the box which looked destined for the top corner of the Lurgan net only for Davidson’s outstretched hand which tipped it wide.

Newry regained the lead shortly before half time. Barr turned provider taking possession just inside the Lurgan half and playing a straight ball along the ground to inside the box to which Patton won the race with Davidson who took the Newry man down for a penalty. And it was Barr who reaped the reward for his pass as he smashed the penalty into the Lurgan net to put Newry 2-1 in front. However there was still time before the half ended for the lead to be again given away. Having snuffed out a Lurgan attack Newry chose to pass the ball out of defence, the pass intercepted by a home player forcing an attacking throw in close to the Newry goal line. And when the long throw was launched into the box Newry could not get that elusive connection to clear, the ball falling to a Lurgan player who lashed the ball to the net despite Murphy’s best efforts to save.

Newry started the second half on the front foot and almost immediately regained the lead when a free flowing move between Crilly and Hand ended with Patton and McMahon playing a one two releasing Patton inside the box with only Davidson to beat, the big Lurgan keeper somehow blocking the shot with his legs. Newry continued to probe, Anderson and McMahon combining to play the ball into the feet of Patton, the Newry centre forward holding the ball up and rolling it back to Barr who alas smashed his shot over the cross bar. This was as near as Newry came to scoring for the rest of the game as Lurgan defended deep forcing Newry to pass across the face of and shoot from outside the home penalty area. And for all their possession Newry have Conor McCaul to thank for preserving the point when as last man he slid into halt a Lurgan attack with the Newry goal in danger.

Newry will be glad to have the opportunity to immediately put this game behind them as their next game comes up quickly at home to Seagoe on Tuesday night with a 8pm kick off. This will be followed by an away fixture on Saturday 5th April at Broomhedge.  Newry City travel club bus will leave the Stonebridge on Saturday @ 1pm.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, McCaul, McElroy, McVicker, Walker, McMahon, Anderson, Patton, Barr, Hand. Subs: Lowry, Lundy, Edgar, Annett, Martin.

Reserves win Wilmor Johnston to make history

Captain Stefan Martin receiving cupNewry City AFC Reserves brought the first trophy back to The Showgrounds since the club was reformed with a hard earned victory over Banbridge Rangers Reserves in the Wilmor Johnston Cup Final on Friday night. Played in front of a big crowd of supporters at Holm Park, Armagh, this was truly a night to remember for manager Gary Redpath and his young Newry team who went a goal down with less than two minutes gone but fought valiantly for the next 110 minutes with their superior fitness a major contributor at the final whistle.

With a large travelling support cheering them on Banbridge Rangers got the best possible start with barely two minutes gone when Ryan Weir was fouled yards outside the box and Andy Mallen took advantage of some sloppy wall building by Newry as he smashed his free kick straight at the Newry goal, the ball swerving in the air as it sailed past the defenceless Gary Murphy in the Newry nets to put Rangers 1~0 up. Both teams forced a series of corners none of which threatened goals until the 20th minute when Joe Campbell broke down the Banbridge right wing, his cross blocked into the side netting by Rangers defender Kyle Sergeant. When Banbridge could only clear Shane Lundy’s corner to the penalty spot Newry captain Stephan Martin was the first to react but was unable to get his shot on target. Newrys centre forward Andrew McLarty was a constant thorn in the Rangers side. On 30 minutes he effortlessly trapped a high kick out from Murphy before spinning and running at the Rangers defence forcing a foul wide on the right. Lundy lined up the free kick as if to cross but spotted defender Sean Mooney racing upfield unmarked. Quick thinking Lundy slid the ball to the Newry defender who connected well but pulled his shot wide of the far post. Both teams had another chance each to score before half time. First Mallen who was seeing lots of the ball for Rangers drove a fierce free kick across the Newry goal, the ball just beating the Newry cross bar to safety and then McLarty had a chance for Newry picking the ball up some forty yards from goal and shooting from distance, the ball bouncing off the chest of Johnathon Parkes in the Banbridge net but not rebounding out far enough for the following in Campbell to collect and so the half ended with that solitary goal the difference between the teams. 

Newry introduced Mark Lowry at the start of the second half and the live wire striker made an immediate impact winning the ball in the middle of the park before finding Campbell wide on the right. Campbell cut in from the wing level with the penalty area and lobbed a delightful chipped pass into the path of Graeme Edgar arriving into the box, the ball bouncing just out of Edgars reach and into the grateful hands of Parkes. Lowry soon had a chance himself. Mooney took the ball out of the Newry half and a slipped a straight ball through a gap in the Rangers defence giving Lowry a race for the ball with the advancing keeper which Parkes won blasting his clearance out of the pitch. Play was now end to end with both sides threatening. Matty McKnight had a great chance to double the Rangers lead when he skipped round the last Newry defender only to be denied by a brave save from Murphy with Newry then going close with their next possession, Cian Feehan skinning his defender but unable to pull his cross back far enough for his team mates to latch onto.

Newrys experienced duo of Joel Annett and Man of the Match, Graeme Edgar were now the major influence in the game, Edgars constant running and tackling a source of inspiration to his team mates, whilst Annett’s reading of the game and solid tackling limiting the Banbridge threat mostly to long range efforts. And where Mallen had been given too much room in the first half the Rangers playmaker was not afforded the same liberty in the second period further limiting the Banbridge threat. On 67 minutes Newry came close to levelling when Mooney fed Lowry wide on the right, Lowry outpacing the Rangers full back taking the ball to the by line before pulling his cross back to the six yard box from where McLarty was unfortunate to see his first time shot crash off the base of the post. Banbridge also had a chance to score on 80 minutes, Newry rescued by a sliding block from Micheál Hastewell when it looked as if the Rangers attacker was about to poke the ball home from close range. At this stage Newry youngster Josh Durnin began to exert an influence on the game, finding space inside the Rangers half and threatening with every possession. Banbridge, however, had a great chance to wrap the game up with a minute left when Jordan McCracken broke free from the half way line and with most of the Newry defence in attacking positions he was left with only Murphy to beat, the Newry keeper displaying heroic bravery spreading himself to block McCrackens effort with his legs. Murphys bravery was rewarded moments later at the other end of the field. With all hands in attack Joel Annett took himself forward and won a free kick on the corner of the Rangers box. Lundy swung the free kick in and watched as Parkes diverted the ball for a corner. With time almost up the corner bounced around the Banbridge box before falling to the feet of Lundy who lashed it to the net to level the scores on ninety minutes. 

With superior fitness now showing Newry held the upper hand in extra time. On five minutes Chris Hughes and Lundy combined well down the Newry left before Lundy squared the ball to McLarty who’s side foot shot on the run flashed wide. Rangers also threatened with Matthew McCrum unlucky to see his headed effort cleared of the line by Annett. Durnin was seeing lots of the ball and given possession from a long ball he did well to hold off several Rangers defenders and bide time to allow Lowry to catch up with play before playing him in with a diagonal ball which Parkes just got to first to deny Lowry a goal scoring chance. Newry went close to scoring with what looked likely to be the last chance of extra time when, from a near post corner McLarty hooked a shot over his head from the narrowest of angles, the ball missing the back post by inches. However that was not allowing for an amazing last minute when Joe Campbell lobbed a long ball into the centre of the Banbridge defence who showed some hesitancy clearing allowing the ever alert Lowry to nip in between the centre half and keeper to prod the bouncing ball into the Rangers net with virtually the last kick of the ball, the referees final whistle greeted with tumultuous joy in the Newry camp.

Man of the Match: Graeme Edgar

Newry City Reserves : Murphy, Hastewell, Mooney, Annett, Martin(C), Hodgett, Feehan, Edgar, J Campbell, McLarty, Lundy. Subs: Lowry, Courtney, F Campbell, Durnin, Hughes, King, Mullholland.

Manager’s corner (25.3.14)

As we sit at the top of the league with 10 games to go we realise that our season has gone well so far but promotion is never won in March. There are still 30 points to play for and we will fight to achieve every one of them. We are a big scalp for all the teams in the division and each of them will want to beat us. The players have been terrific up to this point and realise the importance of promotion at the club. We have won our last 5 games, scoring 23 goals and conceding only 4 with 3 clean sheets. Bearing in mind 3 of those games were against promotion rivals it has been a good run of form. The weather hasn’t helped at times with games being called off in weather more suited to ducks than footballers. However that is where the players need to keep focused and ensure their attitude is correct in preparation for the next game. All we can do is concentrate on our own performances and the rest will take care of itself.

Our reserve team have reached the final of their divisional cup and play Banbridge Rangers this Friday night at Holm Park in Armagh. To reach a final in their first season with a very young side is credit to manager Gary Redpath along with Kevin, Marty and Stephen. This will be a great
experience for the players and hopefully they can bring some silverware back to the club.

As I’ve stated in previous reports our fans have been a credit this season but their support away to Moneyslane deserves a special mention. They sang from start to finish and was greatly appreciated by the players and coaching staff. We will do everything we can to achieve our goal of promotion to help reward them for their continued support.

Yours in Sport,

Darren.

Newry go clear at the top!

Newry City AFC regained sole possession of the top spot in Mid Ulster B with a comprehensive victory over Moneyslane in a much anticipated league clash at Crystal Park, Banbridge on Saturday.  While every game has to be approached correctly, with 11 league games remaining, Newry would have looked at this as potentially one of the tougher remaining and for the first twenty minutes of the match that looked to be correct as both teams probed without managing to get a foot hold in the game.

When the first chance did come on 20 minutes it really should have been taken by Newry. Sean Hand slipped a pass through Moneyslanes flat back four which was latched onto by Mark Patton now with only Ivan Blevins in the home goal to beat. Patton took his time in the hope that Blevins would commit but the keeper got the better of this tussle blocking Pattons first effort with his legs and then palming the rebound round the post for a corner.

From this point on good chances kept coming Newrys way. Again Hand and Patton combined this time to set up David Anderson at the back post. Anderson chose not to shoot instead picking out Neil Barr on the edge of the box Barr pulling his first chance of the day wide of the far post. Having weathered the early battle Newry were in control all over the field allowing their back four who had withstood the early pressure to now join in the forward play.

On the half hour mark Conor McCaul won the ball in his centre half position and waltzed up field before being cynically fouled some 40 yards from goal. Hand clearly fancied his chances from distance and when his free kick took a slight deflection the opening goal seemed certain except for a brilliant reaction save from Blevins who got his finger tips to the ball to divert it wide. Minutes later another Newry defender, Gary McVicker got forward taking a pass from Jimmy Walker and shooting from outside the box the ball flashing across the face of the goal and wide of the far post.

Next it was Niall Crillys turn to get involved swinging in a dangerous cross from the opposite side which Moneyslane could only clear to the edge of the box from where Hand tried to curl his shot to the top corner Blevins again thwarting Newry. With over a half hour gone and nothing to show the Newry fans were getting a little uneasy and when on a rare home foray forward by Moneyslane the ball bobbled around the Newry box Paul McElroy came to the rescue blocking a close range shot around the post to safety.

However, the pressure on the Moneyslane goal had to bring reward and on 38 minutes Newry went 1-0 up Hand receiving a pass from Walker on the corner of the box and blasting his shot past Blevins to the delight of the travelling support. Newry almost doubled their advantage before half time. Captain Chris McMahon, who is having a tremendous season in the heart of the Newry team, took possession of the ball in the middle of the park before finding Hand wide on the left. Hand sucked the defender into a challenge before skipping past him and hitting target man Patton. As he has done so often this season Patton controlled and laid the ball back to Walker, his curling right foot shot inches wide of the post with Blevins beaten.

The second half started with Newry once again on the attack. Anderson hugging the right wing skipped past two tackles and found Walker again hovering on the edge of the box, Newry again unlucky as Walkers shot thumped off the post and away to safety. The Moneyslane goal really was leading a charmed life at this stage with chances coming thick and fast. McMahon and Crilly are sure to link up many times during a Newry game and on the hour mark they did just this to release Anderson again on the right wing. Anderson cut inside and hit in a low shot which Blevins could only parry with Patton the first to react, the Newry centre forward yet again bringing the best out of Blevins as he quickly recovered to block Patton’s reactive shot with his legs.

On 67 minutes it was the goal post again which came to Moneyslane’s rescue. McMahon won a towering header inside his own half, Patton flicked the ball between the central defenders with a glancing header to which Barr won the race and was very unfortunate to see his half volley cannon of the outside of the post. Amazingly Newry hit the Moneyslane post for the fourth time on 73 minutes and again it was to Patton’s misfortune, Crilly and Anderson once more combining to find the big man with his back to goal. In a flash Patton had turned his opposite number and watched in disbelief as his shot cannoned of the post with Blevins beaten.

Newry however sealed the points with two goals in three minutes both from top scorer Neil Barr. On 77 minutes McMahon played the ball through a gap in the home defence which Barr ran onto before slamming his shot past Blevins before repeating the feat three minutes later arriving at the near post to get on the end of neat passing movement between Walker and Anderson for Newry’s third goal.

With the damn now well and truly burst it was fitting that Newry’s best players on the day made and scored goal number four, McMahon floating in a high ball which was knocked down by Patton and snapped up by Man of the Match Anderson who planted his shot to the back of the Moneyslane net for number four. Moneyslane reduced the arrears with minutes remaining when Greg Harrison ran onto a through ball and chipped a delightful effort over Peter Murphy in the Newry goal for what was to be a consolation effort only with Newry running out 4-1 winners.

Newry manager Darren Mullen was obviously happy after the game but adamant that nothing was in the bag yet “It was another complete team performance from start to finish. We knew Moneyslane would be up for the game but our defence handled anything they had in the opening half hour or so and we never looked troubled. Once we got to grips with the game our fitness and pace showed. Although we missed many chances during the game we kept creating and there were many positive to take, not least another three points which takes us back to the top of the league. We told the players we have 10 cup finals to go and we will ensure that they are focused on the games ahead”

Newry’s next match is Saturday 29th March away to Lurgan Town. NCAFC Travel club bus will leave the Stonebridge @ 13:15hrs, all welcome.

MOTM: David Anderson

Photograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, McElroy, McCaul, McVicker, McMahon, Walker, Anderson, Patton, Barr, Hand. Subs: Lundy, Lowry, Edgar, Annett.