Newtowne lost their 100% league record in an entertaining league game at Curragh Road, Dungiven on Saturday. Both teams played well and were helped by an excellent playing surface. Newtowne were without 5 regulars and striker Anthony Loughery was sick in the dressing room before kick off but did enough over the 90 minutes  to deserve at least a point. Things got so bad Derek Wilson was going to take his car to the match.

Dungiven settled first and dominated early possession. Despite this the visitors always looked lively on the break. This was illustrated early on when Loughery robbed McCall to set up Nicholl but he didn't test McBride.

Dungiven thought they took the lead in the 16^th minute, Grieve's free kick whistled past Norris into the top corner, a sublime effort. However, referee Doherty had indicated an indirect free kick and the goal was disallowed. 

Newtowne almost heaped agony moments later when nice combination play between Loughery and Harkin freed Begley, he shot just wide. The game took a definite shape towards the end of the half. The home side dominated territory and forced a string of corners. On a couple of occassions McCaul and Grieve almost punished Newtowne.

Dungiven encountered a stubborn back four where Wilson and Brady kept McLaughlin and Mullan very quiet. Brady had a superb game throughout.  For Newtowne Holland and Sean McGrotty turned in a great shift in centre midfield.. They broke up attacks and set up counter attacks. They battled hard against a formidable pair of Grieve and Gayle.  

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first only Newtowne looked more like scoring on the break. Up to the hour mark Dungiven controlled possession. Some of their approach play was very good. Each time McGuigan ran at Newtowne it took two players to contain him. With the lion's share of possession early in the second half Dungiven never really forced Norris into a save of note.

 In the last 30 minutes Dungiven seemed to settle for a draw. This let Newtowne back into the game. Defenders Irwin and McGrotty were not only defending stoutly but pushing forward as well. From a corner Begley had a great chance to score but his well placed header came off a post.

 Soon after Harkin, who played really well in the second half, had a super goal bound shot saved by McBride. Harkin and Loughery proved a real handful throughout; the latter was suffering from a tummy bug before kick off. To their credit McKeever and McCaul stood firm against the Newtowne strike force and made both work hard to get a strike on goal.

 With ten minutes remaining the game looked like it was heading for a draw. At this stage Chrissy Quigg, looking remarkably like a panda. headed past Norris to score from a Grieve free kick. Newtowne poured forward in the last 10 minutes and had one golden chance but Irwin headed over from close range.

 The general consensus after the game was that a draw would have been a fair result. Dungiven got the break on the day and this may kick start their season. They have a very skilful side and they will take points off teams playing like this. It was a good game of football, played in a good spirit and well handled by referee Paul Doherty 

Newtowne lost their proud 100% record but they battled hard with an understrength side. The young guns were brilliant and the boys who stepped in from the Reserves did really well.

Congratulations to Gary Brady, Player of the Month for October / November. Before kick off Gary was level with Sam Norris, Sam came second and another old timer was third, Tweedy!!

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