Ardglass 2 Newington 1 Steele and Sons Second Round Match ARDGLASS faced a determined Newington and as the match progressed the initial enthusiasm of the visitors soon waned with a reality check when they faced increasing pressure. There were some excellent early touches between Ian Kearney and left winger Owen Curran and they were unlucky not to have taken the lead after a couple of ambitious attacks. Liam Mullan too had his first shot at goal from a free kick but went wide. But in a game that had is niggly moments the first of several players to get booked was Newington’s Paul Waite who floored Ian Kearney just outside the box. Kearney took the free kick but it was skied over the bar.
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But Newington were still dangerous and broke through the Ardglass defence with midfielder Colin MacLean volleying and forcing Ardglass goal keeper Mark Armstrong to a corner. Wayne Patterson eventually sent up a header for Steven Graham who put into the back of the Ardglass net.
Immediately the home side fought back and soon the opportunities started as Liam Mullan shot again just wide as a desperate scamble was ongoing in the Newington box.
The second half started with both teams pumped up and soon play became very scappy with a number of interventions from the referee. Ardglass wanted the equalizer and piled on the pressure attack after attack with Newington only getting the odd break.
Yellow cards well issued then to Newington’s Steven Graham and Ardglasss’ Jim McStravick and Ian Kearney. After a number of verbal exchanges, Ardglass settled down and after 15 minutes the front line of Curran, Magee, Teggart and Mullan were fired up and another Magee header just passed the post.
But the best move of the game came from Liam Mullan who started a solo run by beating one defender by putting the ball through his legs and passing another to left foot a solid shot at the inside right corner of the Newington goal to level the match in the 21st minute.
Mullan seemed to go up another gear and the pressure was definitely on Newington for long spells.
The killer goal for Ardglass came not too long after when Chris Teggart beat the defenders and broke down the right to cross to Magee who collected the ball and nailed it to the back of the Newington net.
Soon after Ian Kearney came off showing signs of a leg injury and Sean Paul Halpen brought a new energy in midfield.
As the final whistle blew, Ardglass has one last blast at the Newington goal as Jim McStravick almost popped in a header but was just foiled by keeper McGrath. Incredibly McStravick won every ball in the air that was sent up by long-kicking keeper McGrath.
Ardglass FC: Mark Armstrong, Ryan Curran, Malachy Crangle, Jim McStravick, Chrisopher Deegan, Ian Kearney Ciaran Dorian, Owen Curran, Liam Mullan, Michael Magee, Chris Teggart.
Subs: Sean Paul Halpen, James Telford, Christian O’Connor.
Newington FC: Aaron McGrath, Andrew Hall, Jeffrey Kithers, Paul Waite, Steven Tierney, Steven Graham, Wayne Patterson, Colin MacLean, Matthew McDonald, Gerard Burns, Gareth McConnell, David McCormick.
Subs: Graham Johnston, Gareth McGrath.]]>
