Newtowne edged it in the last throws of a game again on Saturday. A late Mickey Burns equaliser forced extra time were Newtowne emerged victorious in a controversial last 20 mins.
In a pretty dire first half both teams huffed and puffed about the midfield with little return. It was in the 26th minute that Park took the lead. Dunne firing home from a free kick outside the box.
Newtowne , especially Morrison , jazzed up a bit after the goal and became more positive. However a succession of crosses went unpunished to leave the visitors ahead at the break.
Burns scored early in the second half to square the game.The game reverted back to type as the game became bitty and lacking any fluency.
Just before the hour Park scored a fine goal to put themselves back in front. As Newtowne seemed top get stuck it looked like the winner. When Newtowne had a goal disallowed it looked like Park's day. Loughery had brought the ball back in play before setting up Burns and I got some abuse for flagging the ball over the line from the boys along the line.
In the last 10 mins Newtowne equalised again with a wonderful goal from Mickey Burns. From an awkward position he volleyed into the top corner.
In extra time Newtowne took the lead for the first time. Another wonderful goal this time a lovely strike from Loughery. Almost immediately the lead was wiped out as a Park forward latched on to a long punt to lob over Norris.
Two minutes later Newtowne took the lead again. Good work from Loughery and Burns freed Harkin to score. Controversy a plenty followed soon after as ref Hugh McElwee red carded three Park players for dissent prior to a Newtowne free kick.
When Loughery made it 5-3 soon after the game was only briefly illuminated when Reggie Rankin shot just wide.
One again Newtowne escape in the City Cup with a late late show. The front line of Burns and Loughery were the cornerstone of this win. Newtowne will be happy to progress after a patchy performance.
Park were so close to a morale boosting win. They looked extremely dangerous on the break
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