I hate writing match reports. A beautiful end of summer Saturday at my favourite away ground. Sun kissed St Canice's survived the weather and served an interesting North West encounter.

For the second consecutive week Newtowne started really impressively. Gary Moore was denied in the first 5 mins by the brilliant Thornton in the Eglinton nets. However Gazza made it 2-0 after 13 minutes with two well taken goals.

Eglinton were full of endeavour and enterprise but couldn't get any change out of the visitors. The crabbit O'Reilly and inspirational (and not so crabbit) Johnston were really eyecatching. The lead increased to 3-0 after 21 mins, the very crabbit Morrison showed great skill to free Harkin who crossed a delightful ball for Ryan Logue to score. A great goal.

Moments later Conor Thornton produced a stupendous save to thwart a Logue header, I doubt if you'll see a better save in NW soccer. O'Reilly had a great volley soon after and Morrison curled one just over the bar.

Newtowne built up a good cushion at this point but decided to sleep on it rather than build on it. (I could be a journalist with phrases like that). Moore pulled one back after a bad back pass. A flick from a corner soon after could have made the score 3-2.

Newtowne were awarded a penalty before the break, Harkin's shot was well saved by Thornton , although hit any softer and he would have been booked for time wasting.

At half time Burns and Holland urged composure and less crabbitness. The ability to put the ball between the posts a problem throughout.

The score could have been tighter were Eglinton awarded a penalty early in the second half, it was a sure fire penalty. Happy enough with that Greg!! It was Eglinton last chance for a long time.

Meanwhile Newtowne continued to miss chance after chance, trying to walk the ball in when an old fashioned welly would suffice.

Gary Moore scuppered any Eglinton hopes with his hat trick goal, a wonderful strike from a poor angle. Moore deserved his hat trick although he did miss a sitter or five prior to this.

Stevie Johnston was brilliant and was a powerhouse going forward, he had a few chances to but his finishing was not out of the top drawer. Ferris missed a couple too, let's be honest most of the team missed a few golden chances. Moore setlled things with his fourth late on.

At times this was a good performance from Newtowne, had the taken their chances god knows how this would have ended up. Last year's champs look up for the challenge this year.

I actually thought Eglinton showed great spirit. They worked hard but this is a very young side and lacked the guile and strength to compete properly. They never stopped running on Saturday and they are a fit team. However, this side with a few experienced heads on board ( Murray maybe even Nigel Thompson) will take points at St Canices, on a personal level I hope they do because they are a great wee club.

Newtowne Carten O'Reilly OBrien O'Hara Morrison Harkin Woods Johnston Ryan Logue Gary Moore Ferris SUB G Logue