Staying Power

Banbridge Town 0 Newry City 1
Grant (pen)

Newry secured safe passage into the sixth round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup with a hard fought, but deserved, win over Banbridge Town.

Having knocked in six goals on our last visit, Newry would have anticipated a response from the home side and it was no surprise to find Banbridge in combative mood as they sought to restore pride and turn the tables on their visitors. They defended in numbers and made life difficult for Newry in a first half that took a while to warm up. Newry were the better side during this period, with wing backs Darren King and Stephen Hutchinson seeing plenty of the ball. Indeed Hutchinson was a central character as he had three chances to score. First up, he headed over the bar from a corner and then had an effort wide at the back post. However, his best opportunity came just before the break when a flowing Newry move saw him burst in behind the home defence. The big defender seemed to hesitate slightly and Banbridge keeper McAllister saved well.

Newry had further efforts from Hanaphy and King (both wide) and a chance cleared off the line. Further shots from Freeman and Copeland were easily dealt with by McAllister, who was having a more comfortable afternoon that he probably expected. Banbridge were working hard but offering little at the other end. They were a better final ball away from creating a great chance for Downey, but Gareth Buchanan was largely untroubled in the Newry goal.

Newry started the second half in a similar vein and forced a series of early corners. Darren Freeman's delivery was excellent and he came close to an opener when his dangerous inswinger came back off the Banbridge post. On 56 minutes Newry came close again. Darragh Hanaphy's cross was blocked, with King's follow up effort cleared off the line by a home defender.

With the opener slow to arrive, Banbridge enjoyed their best spell of the game as Newry became increasingly frustrated. The home side were beginning to ask questions of the Newry defence as they broke at speed and Ruairi Devlin came to the fore with a number of important covering tackles and interceptions. Then on 74 minutes, Banbridge had their first shot on target of the afternoon when Buchanan denied Chris Kingsberry with a decent save.

Newry responded well and the energetic Darren King advanced on the home goal and drove in a superb shot from all of 30 yards that rebounded off the post and away to safety. Newry came again and finally forced the breakthrough on 82 minutes. Darragh Hanaphy turned beautifully on the left flank and burst towards goal, only to be taken down just inside the box. Former Banbridge stalwart Timmy Grant stepped up to stroke the resultant penalty past McAllister and into the net.

The goal forced Banbridge to commit more men forward and Newry might have profited from the extra space afforded. Hutchinson should have scored from a King cross but headed wide and sub Marty Havern shot weakly at McAllister with Hanaphy well placed inside him. At the other end there was a nervous moment or two, but Newry saw the game out to progress to the sixth round and another away tie, at Ballymoney United.

Manager Pat McGibbon will have been pleased with the win and most likely glad of the sort of tough and physical game that his side needed after a relatively easy month. It was an afternoon for earning a result through hard work and, amidst a genuine team effort; it was no surprise to see Darren Freeman particularly prominent in the midfield trenches. Darren King and Stephen Hutchinson saw plenty of the ball and might have bagged an unlikely hatful of goals themselves, but King in particular will be pleased with his drive and leadership. Paul Donegan and Ricky Copeland stood up well to the challenge too and behind them the returning Ruairi Devlin read the game well and snuffed out most of the danger from the Banbridge front men.

Newry: Buchanan, King, Hutchinson, Donegan, Copeland, Devlin, Freeman, Tierney (S Hughes), McCabe, Grant (Havern), Hanaphy. Subs not used: Morley-Hillen, M Hughes, Masterson.
Newrycityfc.com Man of the Match: Darren Freeman