Robinson’s men clinch Challenge Cup

The champions went into the final as firm favourites after already defeating Strabane and Sion Swifts easily in the two league encounters.

Sion defeated Maherafelt Sky Blues away and felt they could cause an upset to retain the trophy they won last season at Oxford’s expense.

Sion got on the attack straight from kick off and had a couple of long range efforts before United were able to get a hold of the ball.

Newbuildings settled the quickest and soon got their own passing game going. Wide men Curry and Wallace in particular were causing the holders defence all sorts of problems with their trickery and runs off the ball.

They were getting crosses into the front two of Dougherty and McIvor, who in turn created space for efforts on goal. Dougerty seen a snap shot rebound off the base of the post and out to saftey, soon after he found himself free with just the keeper to beat but some how screwed his effort narrowly past the upright.

On one of his trademark runs left-back Kenny King was able to deliver an inch perfect cross which McIvor headed back across the keeper and into the net to put United one up in the tenth min.

Wesley Robinson’s side increased their lead when Curry’s left wing delivery found McIvor and cooly side footed home his and United’s second.

It was all one way traffic now and Wallace should have made it three when he found himself unmarked at the back post with a simple header only to miss time it and glance it well past the post.

The same player came even closer when he dispatched an effort from the right with the outside of his foot which the keeper could only stand and watch but the ball hit the bar and rebounded to saftey.

S. Curry was next to miss a glaring opportunity when it seemed easier to tap the ball home with his left foot, but he twisted his body to make contact with his right shin and turned it around the post for a goal kick.

The break was looming for a battered Sion, with the safety of the dressing room in sight, Dougherty delivered the telling blow when he drove the ball home with his left foot from the edge of the box to send the support into raptures and surely bring the second trophy back to the Waterside.

Newbuildings entered the second half with the same verve as they ended the first, creating chances.

Dougherty seen the keeper save well at the front post and substitute Robinson had a chance cleared off the line with the keeper stranded, surely the forth was on its way.

The forth goal of the game did arrive but at the other end, Sion had to throw caution to the wind and it paid off when they found space in the Newbuildings penalty area and a looping header by Connor Carlin gave Thornton no chance to recover and save.

United were finding it hard to get their passing game going and Sion grabbed a second goal when the striker Dean Kelly latched onto a deflected shot to cooly pass the ball into the corner of the net.

Sion pressured the Newbuildings box for the remaining five minutes of normal time and the seven minutes of injury time but the champions rearguard, marshalled by Peter Blair stood firm.

Thornton was now in his element, catching and punching all that was thrown at him. When the referee blew for full time it was a sense of relief that came over the Newbuildings bench before the joy set in.

Both teams can be proud they took part in what was an exhilarating game of football and credit to for the manner in which the referee handled the game.

Captain Blair lifted the trophy and lifted the Man of the Match award which was again sponsored by Longs Supervalu Newbuildings.

Meanwhile Newbuildings were in the running for another trophy, this time the “Best Non Senior Club of the Year” which they had been nominated by the Northern Ireland sports writers.

This evening was held at the Europa hotel in Belfast where the club representatives rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jackie Fullerton, ex-Rangers and Man Utd star Jimmy Nicholl, Linfield’s David Jeffery and Portadown’s Ronnie McFall, to name but a few.

Although Ballinamallard United picked up the award, just to be even nominated shows the progress Newbuildings has made in such a short space of time which is down to all the people, from the youth coaches, fundraisers, supporters, committee members to senior coaches and players who have worked tirelessly to help the club achieve this status.

The club would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of them.