Ballymoney 1 : 3 Newry City (Under 18s)
Newry travelled to Ballymoney last Saturday morning (18th February) and continued their rich vein of form with a terrific and well deserved victory over Ballymoney.
Newry set about their opponents straight away and from the first attack Gourley sent over a cross which just eluded Lenaghan and Cunningham. This set the tone for much of a first half in which Newry dominated for long periods. The breakthrough finally came when Gourley collected the ball on the edge of the box, where there seemed to be little danger. Terrific skill though saw Gourley beat two defenders and plant the ball in the corner of the net.
It was no more than the visitors deserved but a lapse in concentration saw Ballymoney nearly equalise only for a super reflex save by Rowney in the Newry goal to keep the score at 0-1 at half time. Ballymoney started the second half pushing for an equaliser but the back four of Redpath, Hazewell, Hodgett and Annett looked very assured. Newry were finding it hard to get into their stride untill Lenaghan produced a thunderous drive from 25 yards which sailed over the keeper and into the roof of the net.
There seemed to be no way back for Ballymoney but a cross-come-shot hit the woodwork and fell kindly to their striker to thump it in from 8 yards. This made for a nervous last 15minutes as Ballymoney sniffed a chance to get something from the game but a sweeping counter attack saw Edgar release Magill, who tested the ‘keeper with a thumping drive. He could only parry the shot into the path of Quinn who secured the points for Newry.
It was an excellent result and terrific performance from all players to keep Newry in contention at the top of the league.
Newry Times Man of The Match: Conor Lenaghan.
Newry City Team: Rowney, Redpath, Hodgett, Hazewell, Annett, Gourley, Darcy, Quinn, Edgar, Cunningham, Lenaghan, Magill, Thompson, Dillon
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