Ballynagross Too Strong For Newcastle Swifts
The Newcastle and District Amatuer Football League.
Premier League Match.
Saturday 19th November 2022.
Ballynagross 8 0 Newcastle Swifts.
Ballynagross entertained Newcastle Swifts at Mountain Quarter in Saul and within twelve minutes had taken firm control of the match with two well worked goals writes Cyril McKinney.
The goals came firstly through Philip Doran on 8 minutes and then o Jo Burns who finished off a great move and right wing cross from Jack Fitzsimons on 12 minutes.
Ballynagross were dominant in all departments of the pitch and never gave Newcastle Swifts time to settle on the ball and were always first to react to any loose ball.
And with the front three of Doran, Burns and Fitzsimons causing panic in the visitors defence with their direct running and pace, it was only a matter of time that they went further ahead.
This eventually happened when McNeill surged down the right wing and crossed for Doran to convert with precision at the back post to make it 3-0 to the home side at half time.
Ballynagross keeper Cathaill Arnold was a mere spectator throughout the first half and did not a single shot to deal with.
Into the second half and Newcastle, try as they might, could not get into the game at all while Ballynagross struggled to create any clear cut chances until 75 minutes had gone.
But once they got the fourth goal the flood gates seemed to open. Substitute Ciaran Evans slotted home a loose ball from just inside the box.
Then Doran completed his hat-trick with a clever finish chipping the keeper from an acute angle to make it 5-0 on 76 minutes.
Another substitute, the veteran Declan Dowie, then scored a brace in three minutes on 79 and 82 minutes.
The first a low drive from the edge of the box and the second one a brave header at the back post from an Evans lobb.
Then on 84 minutes Jo Jo Burns completed the scoring with his second and Ballynagross’ 8th goal to complete a one-sided league encounter.
It should be noted that this game was played out in a sporting fashion and neither side challenged a single referee decision all afternoon.
Despite being out played Newcastle tried their best sportingly and supported each other throughout what was for them a bad day at the office.
Ballynagross were too strong in every department with Philip Doran outstanding with his hat-rick whilst Cathail Arnold was definitely the coldest person at Mountain Quarter on that chilly afternoon.
Ballynagross FC: Cathaill Arnold, Thomas McNeill, Christopher Laverty, John Polley, Conor Campbell, Cormac Byrne, Joseph Burns, Shea McComiskey ,Philip Doran, Jack Fitzsimmons, Declan McComiskey, Subs: Connor Marron for Christopher Laverty, Ciaran Evans for Jack Fitzsimmons, Declan Dowie for Declan McComiskey.
Newcastle Swifts: Wayne Lennon, Joseph McDaid, Stephen Young, Jamie Tweedie, Mark Young, Timothy Sexton, Connor Morrison, Darragh Rooney, Niall Wells, Adam Boyle, Aidan O’Higgins. Subs : Christopher Rice
