Reserves to the Four

Donaghmore 1-4 Newry City Reserves - Round 4, Mid-Ulster Shield

 

The game was only four minutes old when Newry Reserves went 0-1 down after some indecision in defence. It took the team a while to settle after this early setback, but then they started to gain control in midfield with Chris McMahon and Conor Sloan dictating the play. Neil Barr forced a great save from the Donaghmore keeper on 21 minutes and from the resulting corner Kevin Cummins rose brilliantly to power a header home for the equaliser. Newry controlled the rest of the first half but couldn't find a way through the Donaghmore defence.

 

The home side came out with greater energy in the second half and had the advantage of a stiff breeze behind them. Kevin Cummins made a superb tackle right on the goal-line to prevent Newry going 2 1 down. The introduction of Jemar Hall gave Newry greater pace in attack as they started to control the game again. It was Jemar who made it 2 1 with a right-footed strike from the edge of the box. Donaghmore were struggling to get back into the game with Craig Doke and Kevin Cummins superb at the heart of the defence for Newry. Micky McCaughey then made it 3 1 when he stabbed the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. Neil Barr then put the finishing touch on the win when he headed home at the back post following a great cross from Jemar Hall to make the final score 4 1.

 

This win puts Newry into the quarter final of the competition and is proving to be a good experience for the young lads at the club. They are starting to play with greater confidence and are also proving more than capable in dealing with the physical side of the game. 

 

Newry Reserves team: Joel Annett, Sean Hand, Owen Donaghy, Craig Doke, Kevin Cummins, PJ Quigley, Chris McMahon, Conor Sloan, John Smyth, Neil Barr, Micky McCaughey  Subs: Jake Redpath, Jemar Hall, Jamie Edgar, Colin Cunningham.