Newtowne laboured to a 2-0 win over Draperstown on a cold but sunny Cahore Rd Draperstown on Saturday. In all it was a good game, well refereed by McCulloch and played in a sporting manner by both teams. Draperstown is easily one of the friendliest clubs to visit in the league.
A toothless Rory O’Reilly showed some bite after an early morning dental appointment to hit the bar early on. Draperstown threatened soon after through the impressive hardworking McKillion.
The game fell into a pattern at this juncture. Newtowne pushing forward and Draperstown holding firm. Morrison found Nradley hard to pass while Marty McGuigan and Kennedy were very good in the middle. Draperstown worked hard but the returning Mickey O’Brien was as solid as ever beside the ever solid Derek Wilson.
Just before half time Conor O’Hara saw a tremendous header rebound off the crossbar, Was it going to be one of those days.
| HT Draperstown 0 - 0 Newtowne |
Just showing off new computer!!
When Loughery hit the post early in the second half it did seem like one of those days. However when Ryan Magee got his big noggin on to a Blain Morrison corner in the 62nd minute Newtowne took the lead.
It was well deserves as the team upped a gear in the second half. Morrison was a pest (what’s new) and a tattooed Marty Harkin was doing damage on the other flank.
An under the weather and strangely quiet Mickey Walsh was dominant in the middle during the second half. Newtowne went 2-0 in front when Blain Morrison scored with an excellent strike from the edge of the area. Mickey Burns missed a sitter minutes later to make it 3-0 but missed.
With time running out McCorry was thwarted by a fine Norris save to keep the score 2-0. The only other highlight was a clearance from a home defender which hit and dented my car. I have been assured by Benny McPeake that Laurence O’Kane and Austin McKillion will pay for the damage out of their own pockets!!
Overall the Newts will be happy with the result. The survived 90 minutes on a heavy pitch with a few players under par. For me it was a delight to see O’Brien back in the red shirt and he lifts Wilson who was a major player. In the middle Walsh worked hard while O’Reilly and Loughery played well from the off. Loughery was arguably Newtowne’s best player, intelligent and hard working from the start.
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