Champagne put on ice

This result means if Wesley Robinson’s side defeat Ardstraw tomorrow (Thursday KO 7.45pm), they can finally crack open the champagne.

In fairness to the Waterside men they have produced some memorable displays this season, however on Saturday they were lack lustre and in truth a share of the spoils was probably the right result.

It was the visitors who started the brighter and they went close to opening the scoring on 17 minutes when Conor Monaghan’s corner found Aaron Kane, but his header flashed narrowly wide.

Soon after some super skill by Ricky Lee Dougherty saw him get away from his marker on the bye-line, but his well hit drive from an acute angle was turned onto the post by Magherafelt keeper Marcin Farniok.

The home side broke the deadlock just before the break in super fashion.

A good run by Bryan Scanlon saw the midfielder find striker Stephen Curry on the right hand edge of the box, he calmly flicked the ball inside past his marker before his left footed strike, found Farniok’s bottom right hand corner.

In a disappointing second half it was the Sky Blues who had to up the ante as a victory or draw would mean they still had a slim chance of clinching the Northern Ireland Intermediate League title themselves.

Although the Sky Blues were playing more on the front foot, it did mean they left gaps at the back, which in truth United failed to really capitalise fully.

On one of those counter-attacks on 57 minutes, Dougherty fed Grant Buchanan, but with only Farniok to beat, the right winger failed to hit the target and blasted over from just inside the box.

Magherafelt did level things on 71 minutes when some neat passing cut through the United defence and Monaghan made no mistake drilling the ball low into the net, giving keeper Connor Thornton no chance.

Ten minutes from time Stephen Wallace went close to regaining the lead for United, but his well struck shot from close range was straight at Farniok and the keeper did well to hold on.

Right at the death Magherafelt substitute Vitali Spinu missed a golden chance for his side to win it, but the big striker headed over from close range, after United failed to clear Monaghan’s right wing corner.

Newbuildings United: Connor Thornton, Graham Moore, Jason Moore, Peter Blair, Kenny King; Steven Wallace, Paul McIvor, Bryan Scanlon; Grant Buchanan, Ricky Lee Dougherty, Stephen Curry. Subs: Matthew Smyth for Buchanan (62); Wesley Ferguson for Curry (72); Chris Beattie for Wallace (87); Lewis Nicholl & Dean Curry (not used).

Magherafelt Sky Blues: Marcin Farniok, Declan O’Neill, Martin Scullion, Liam Martin, Chris Bradley, Aaron Hawe, Gregory Stewart, Dermot McGuckin, Cameron Hawthorne, Thomas Beattie, Ciaran Monaghan. Subs: Darren Walls for O’Neill (58); Ciaran Mallon for Stewart (66); Vitali Spinu for Beattie (70); Seamus Quinn (not used).

Referee: Mr Cyril Hargan.