It was very important that Newtowne set a bench mark in this very tricky tie, Newtowne top of the North West Premier League and Mourne Harps going strong in the Saturday morning league. Harps came into this game full of confidence after a big victory last week v Bohs, so Newtowne knew they had to up their level from previous weeks and that's exactly what they did.

Newtowne started very brightly with a new sharpness and hunger about their play it wasn't long before Ferris was put through one on one but he failed to convert an easy chance by his standards. Then it was Trevor Mc Sparrons turn to fier over from close range when it looked easier to score. As the game progressed Harps did come into it and played some good football themselves a bid strong side with plenty of pace up front. With both teams now playing quality football it so happened that a long ball from Neil Mullan travelled the whole way to the harps penalty box, bounced over the oncoming keeper and Mc Sparron followed up to put Newtowne 1 up with a tidy finish. The first half was pretty even but Newtowne did create all the goal scoring opportunities and maybe should of come in 2 or 3 goals better off.

The second half started as the first half finished evenly contested but when Newtowne found their rythum they started to pick gaps in the Harps defence. A great ball played through for Ferris to run onto with his left foot he drilled the ball home from 15 yrds. Great finish 2 - 0. Newtowne now took total control everyone driving forward and creating numerous goal scoring chances, Harkin and Gazza came on for Woods and Ferris and both players were involved in goal number 3. Harkin was released down the left wing and he picked out Gazza coming in who blasted the ball home (not). Chance after chance was now coming and it was left to Conor O Hara from a corner to head home number 4. Shortly after the final goal came Gazza repaying the favour by playing a great ball to Harkin who calmly slotted home.

All credit to Mourn Harps who put up a brave battle and who will be hard to work with in their own league but I think they will admit that they came up against a better team on the day. On the day Lee Callaghan was excellent with anything he had to deal with. O'Reilly, Mullan, O'Brien and Morrison were outstanding and dealt brilliantly with a very quick forward line, the midfield of McSparron, Johnstone, O'Hara and R Logue worked their socks off along with Ferris and Woods to create numerous chances and play some excellent football. With Gazza Harkin and G Logue coming on they also showed just what quality runs through the whole team.

Callaghan, O'Reilly, Mullan, O'Brien, Morrison, McSparron, Johnstone, O'Hara, R Logue, Woods, Ferris, Harkin, Moore, G Logue