Penalty shoot-out success for United

WATERSIDE men Newbuildings United met Belfast amateur side Rathfern Rangers in the first round of the Intermediate Cup and ran out victors on penalites after the game was level at 2-2 after full and extra time.

The home side started the brighter with the lion's share of possession with Rathfern relying on the long ball to their lone striker. It wasn't long before the away side's keeper was tested when Garth Falconer unleashed a drive from just outside the box forcing him into diving to his left and tipping the ball around the post.

David Scanlon had a chance shortly after that when a neat one two saw him drag his shot wide when well postioned 12 yards out.

The home side continued to dominate with Wray in the Newbuildings nets a virtual spectator.

The next chance fell to Gregory McIvor when he broke through on the left just inside the box and his shot cum cross flew past the far post evading the incoming Robinson.

Newbuildings created another chance when good play on the left by King saw the ball squared 15 yards from goal into the path of the onrushing Scanlon whose first time shot flew just over the bar.

With all their possession and chances Newbuildings failed to capitalise and could have been punished when a cross from the left saw the unmarked rathfern striker head wide from six yards out.

The second half saw more of the same with Newbuildings in control and wasteful in front of goal and Rathfern failing to trouble the home side's rearguard.

That was until the 60th minute when the away side were awarded a soft penalty. A long hopeful ball found the Rathfern striker who turned just inside the box and went down very easily under the challenge from the Newbuildings defender. The striker cooly dispatched the spot kick to go one up.

This seemed to stun the Newbuildings who had been in so much control and the away side found new confidence which led to them doubling their lead shortly after when a good move down the left saw the ball squared 20 yards out to the onrushing midfielder who hammered the ball home giving Wray no chance.

Newbuildings pushed forward to try and get back into the game and were thrown a lifeline via the penalty spot when Garth Falconer burst into the box only to be upended by the advancing keeper who was red carded for the challenge.

Play had to be stopped for a while for Falconer to be stretchered off and taken to hospital due to shoulder and neck injuries but thankfully it was later disclosed that these were not serious. Elliott dispatched the penalty into the back of the net.

The home with the numerical advantage peppered the Rathfern goal but couldn't find the equalizer until five minutes from time when Elliot scored a deflected free kick from the angle of the 18 yard box.

Elliott almost grabbed his hat-trick when he had a volley from 20 yards brilliantly pushed over the bar by the stand-in keeper.

The home side couldn't find the winner in extra time and the tie went to dreaded penalties with Wray turning out to be the hero, saving three of Rathfern's spot kicks and McIvor, Simpson, Robinson and Scanlon converting for Newbuildings.

Newbuildings travel to Draperstown next Saturday for a league fixture with the Reserves facing Dungiven Reserves.