Dougherty is match winner

Newbuildings United...1

Ardstraw...0

NEWBUILDINGS United maintained their 100 per cent record in the league with a hard fought 1-0 victory over a battling Ardstraw side, on Saturday.

The match was played in tricky conditions with a strong cross wind and a slippy surface which seemed to hamper United’s passing game and suited the visitors.

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The home side had the 1st chance when Ricky Lee Dougherty received the ball just outside the box and he turned to send in a low drive which was straight at the keeper.

The Waterside men had another opportunity soon after when a neat one two saw Bryan Scanlon burst through on the right only to see his cross cum shot sail over the bar and behind for a goal kick.

Ardstraw had a chance when their striker found himself with space inside the box but he dragged his shot wide of the advancing Thornton and the wrong side of the post.

Newbuildings continued to press but lacked quality in the final third of the pitch and it was from a defensive mistake their next opportuntiy came.

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A long ball forward caused hesitation in the visitors rearguard and a missed header saw Dougherty break through and bearing down on goal but with only the keeper to beat he unselfishly squared the ball for his strike partner Robinson, but he had unfortunately wandered offside and the goal was disallowed.

United took the lead shortlry after when Falconer broke down the left and his pinpoint cross found Dougherty who volleyed home from six yards out and this remained the score till the interval.

The second half saw the same pattern as the first with both sides failing to get into any sort of rythm.

Newbuildings had a great chance to double their lead when a through ball from David Scanlon saw Nathan Robinson one on one with the keeper but he wasted the chance putting his shot just wide of the post.

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With the home side failing to convert chances into goals Ardstraw grew in confidence and pushed forward for the equaliser which nearly came via a scramble in the box following a corner which saw the ball poked goalwards only for Curry to clear off the line.

The visitors best chance came when Scanlon passed the ball back to his keeper only for it to go to the visiting striker who seemed that surprised to receive the ball he could only turn and chip the ball into the greatful arms of United keeper Thornton.

Substitute Wallace had a chance for the home side following a corner from the left he cut inside and his goalbound shot was deflected over the bar.

As the game entered the dying minutes Newbuildings held firm and the experience of Blair, Mooore and King at the back saw them collect all three points.

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