Scanlon sealsvictory for United

The encounter accomplished the rare trait of becoming a field day for any eager sports writer, as the Village men continued their impeccable winning streak, fulfilling something of a coup d’état against the Ballybofey visitors.

The game quickly heated up as Harps piled considerable pressure on the Newbuildings defence right from the offset, and within the opening ten minutes, young midfielder Aaron Harkin managed to find the space to release a thumping strike, his effort meeting an agonising stalemate as it deflected off Conor Thornton’s crossbar, Peter Allen’s team luckily escaping with nothing more than an early fright.

This start proved influential however, in inspiring the Villagers to rapidly match the might of the Finn Park residents, and the run of play soon narrowed into an even balance of middle-park warfare, ex-Harps player Thomas McBride leading a hard-fought battle against his former team-mates.

One other player in particular for Newbuildings who appeared consistently hazardous to Finn Harps throughout the game, was Garth Falconer, who having been forced to make the step-up to left-wing from his recent full-back podium in the absence of Steven Wallace, proved crucial to ensuring the surprise win.

Falconer swiftly captured the plaudits by orchestrating United’s first major chance of the match, positioning himself in enough space down the left flank to link-up with a through ball from McBride, drilling goal-ward a tantalising cross, which the Harps keeper could manage only to parry into the path of Richard Lynch, who was unable to find a finish under heavy pressure from the opposition defence.

Opportunities to score in the opening section of the game were limited as each team strove desperately to see off the other’s game plan, but a moment of absolute magic from David Scanlon achieved the remarkable task of pushing Newbuildings into the lead, his bulleted drive floating into the back of the net, having lobbed the keeper from well outside the penalty area.

This awe-inspiring performance has sent out the message once more that Newbuildings are a side capable of facing off even the toughest of opponents, and Scanlon’s goal was to inevitably carry the Londonderry club through to the final whistle.

The remainder of the match wasn’t without incident as each team created more chances, McBride having a long-range effort tipped wide after appearing certain to rocket into the top-hand corner of the goal, while Sligo Rovers-loanee Rory Keating and former Derry City striker Sean McCarron both had shots collide against the woodwork for Harps.

The concluding sentiment of Sunday’s victory was yet more delight for Newbuildings under the management Peter Allen, the new gaffer declaring his feelings afterward, describing the match as “a very good contest” before adding that “the future is bright” for the club.

Overseen by members of the board, and the ever-regular band of dedicated supporters, this game goes further in showing Newbuildings to be a club with more than enough potential to rise through the ranks of the Northern Ireland league system, as their pursuit of a dream promotion continues.