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.