Semi-final heartache for Newbuildings

Tobermore United...4Newbuildings United...2

WATERSIDE men Newbuildings United bowed out of the Craig Memorial Cup at the semi-final stage with a 4-2 away defeat to Tobermore United.

Played in near perfect conditions with blue skies overhead both teams started the game on the front foot with the away side more than holding their own.

But it was Tobermore who struck first after five minutes when their right winger beat the offside trap racing down on goal, then firing a low shot from the corner of the 18 yard box across Wray in nets and in off the far post.

The home side doubled their lead soon after when again a break on the right saw a cross delivered onto the head of the Tobermore striker who made no mistake from six yards out.

To their credit Newbuildings kept their heads and continued to play attacking football, creating a few half chances but never really testing the Tobermore stopper.

That was until the 35 minutes mark when a great through ball from Brian Scanlon saw Paul McIvor stretch and volley the ball past the onrushing keeper and into the empty net.

The home side seemed rattled and it was Newbuildings who finished the half the stronger. The second half saw Newbuildings again push forward but against the run of play it was Tobermore who struck again and in somewhat controversial circumstances.

As their striker broke into the box he seemed to push the ball too far in front and behind for a goal kick but to everyone's amazement the referee gave a corner! From the resulting set piece the ball fell to an unmarked Tobermore player at the back post and he volleyed home from close range.

The home side grabbed their fourth when their winger cut inside and sent a tame effort on goal which Wray seemed to have covered until it took a wicked deflection and squirmed past the reaches of the unfortunate Newbuildings keeper.

The away side still continued to go forward and ask questions of the Tobermore defence and deservedly pulled a goal back when a low cross from the right saw Paul McIvor lay the ball back to the onrushing Brian Scanlon who hammered the ball home from 15 yards out. Newbuildings are on their travels again this Saturday with a league game at Mountjoy.

Related topics: