Half A Loaf

Newry City 1 Glebe Rangers 1
Havern - McCart

Newry salvaged a point against visiting Glebe Rangers when substitute Marty Havern's 90th minute goal rewarded their perseverance on an afternoon when little went right for an out of sorts City team. This was without doubt one of Newry's most disappointing performances of the season, but no one can question the team's spirit and desire as they kept plugging away and ultimately gained some reward.

The first half was a non event from a Newry perspective. We struggled to break down a resolute Glebe defence, with both teams struggling to come to terms with the strong wind blowing across the pitch. An early Darragh Hanaphy shot was easily stopped by Brian Kane in the visiting goal, while Glebe went close at the other end when McAllister shot over after Gareth Buchanan and Paul Donegan collided in the Newry box. The visitors made up for that miss when they took the lead in the 15th minute. Newry failed to deal with a free kick into the box and when the ball rebounded off the bar, Adam McCart fired it into the Newry net. It was only the second league goal conceded at home by Newry this season, the other a penalty for Harland and Wolff Welders.

Newry's response to going behind was disappointing, as we created little of note for the remainder of the half. Darren King's air shot, when well placed, was as close as we came to an equaliser.

Newry started the second half on the front foot, but still weren't troubling Kane in the Glebe goal, although he would have been glad of his defender's efforts in deflecting Hanaphy's shot wide. Glebe were working hard and had their moments in attack, on the break. Twice Gareth Buchanan came to Newry's rescue with fine saves to keep the deficit manageable. That was to prove vital as Newry gradually assumed complete control and pegged Glebe further and further back into their defensive shell. It was attack against defence for the final 25 minutes, but Newry were increasingly frustrated as the breakthrough was slow in coming. Timmy Grant lost his angle as he rounded Kane, when many a player would have found an arm to fall over. The same player then volleyed wide after a decent Newry move.  

Newry spurned a great chance when sub David Masterson fired over from a Hanaphy cross. Then another sub, Marty Havern, stumbled through a couple of challenges but saw his weak effort cleared off the line by McCooke. Had Havern gone over when tripped, then ref Simon Creaney would surely have had no option other than to point to the spot. Despite the increasing pressure, Kane had still seen relatively little action, but he was belatedly called upon to save efforts from Havern and Stephen McCabe.

Where for most of the game Newry had been politely knocking at the door, they were now determined to kick it in and reward was forthcoming in the final minute of normal time. Hanaphy showed excellent composure to create the chance by the touchline and his cross was turned in from close range by Havern.

With victory snatched from their grasp, Glebe were really wobbling and Newry forced a series of corners in stoppage time. The visitors somehow held out as Ricky Copeland's overhead effort crashed off the crossbar and Glebe will have been relieved to hear the final whistle blown after less than three minutes of additional play.

It was a below par display from Newry, but on an afternoon when the majority of players were not at their best, they did at least persevere and gain something for their endeavours. Gareth Buchanan made that possible with two fine stops and substitute Stephen Hughes added much needed poise and control with an assured display. Hughes probably turned the game in Newry's favour, and it was the hardworking Hanaphy who ensured that his efforts were not in vain. His pace and movement was a regular threat to the visiting defence and he had the composure to create the late chance, beating defender and nasty bobble, to allow Havern to save the day. 

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