McFadden shines in Waterside derby

The Drumahoe club had to do it the hard way after they went a goal behind early on, but in truth striker Darren McFadden was the main difference between the sides.

McFadden scored the all important winning goal early in the second half, but his all round game meant he was a threat to Gary Simpson’s men all night.

To their credit United had their chances particularly in the early stages of the match, with old boys Ricky Lee Dougherty going close, while Stephen Wallace also had a great chance to take the game into extra-time.

The visitors started like a house on fire and they broke the deadlock after just two minutes thanks to super play by Stephen Curry.

The right winger showed great pace to easily get away from Declan McKeever and his centre found an unmarked Richard Lynch, who gleefully made no mistake powerfully heading home from close range.

Institute levelled things on 19 minutes thanks to another goal from midfielder Darren McCauley.

The Waterside man coolly picked his spot from just inside the box, side footing the ball low into Corey Wilson’s bottom left hand corner.

Newbuildings were inches away from regaining the lead on 28 minutes after Ricky Lee Dougherty showed a great turn of pace to get away from Matthew Crossan and his low left footed strike from the right hand edge of the box, was kept out by a full stretched ’Stute keeper Martin Gallagher.

Five minutes before the break Dougherty again got clear of Crossan to latch onto John Elliott’s pass, but his right footed strike from 20 yards flew just wide.

With their second shot on target Institute took the lead on 49 minutes following some neat skill by McFadden.

The big striker superbly brought down Declan McKeever’s cross just inside the box and did well to create himself some space before his low left footed drive flew past Wilson.

Institute were inches away from netting a third when Tom Carlin’s neat foot work saw him burst into the United box, but the left winger’s shot was tipped onto the bar by Wilson, incredibly Lynch nearly put the loose ball into his own, but his sliced clearance inside the six yard box, came back of the post.

Another piece of skill by McFadden on 77 minutes nearly resulted in ’Stute’s third goal of the tie.

McFadden had some quick feet to get away from Dean Curry and Wes Ferguson, but his right footed shot from inside the box was parried away by Wilson.

Moments later more good play by McFadden this time ended with his clever through ball releasing McCauley clear down the left, but after cutting inside the midfielder’s shot was pushed around the post by Wilson.

On 80 minutes Stephen Wallace, who went close with a free-kick earlier, had a glorious chance to level things, but with the goal at his mercy the midfielder blasted well over the bar, after Lynch’s inch perfect centre had picked him out.

Institute: Gallagher, Devlin (C McLaughlin 60) P McLaughlin, Crossan, McKeever; Henderson, Walsh, McCauley; Carlin (Reilly 74), McFadden, Hume. Subs: J McLaughlin, Crown, Mulchy (not used).

Newbuildings United: Wilson, Buchanan (Kelly H-T); Moore, Rutherford (D Curry 54), Falconer; S Curry, Elliott (McIvor 74), Ferguson, Wallace, Lynch; Dougherty. Subs: Clarke & McCloskey (not used).

Referee: Mr Stephen Wallace (Londonderry).

Cautioned: Henderson (24); Ferguson (40); McKeever (67); P McLaughlin (71); Walsh (89); Gallagher (93).