Holm side win a feisty derby

NEWBUILDINGS United Reserves travelled to Donemana as both teams had gained promotion from Division Two last season and faced up for a local derby.

Right from the off it was clear to see that the referee was going to have his work cut out as tackles were coming in thick and fast, for the opening 15 minutes of the game there wasn't much between both sides.

The deadlock came when Malcolm McCausland cut inside on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot which the Donemana keeper could only parry dropping to Nathan Robinson's feet who slotted home from 10 yards out.

The home struck back soon after when a quickly taken free kick on the right wing caught Newbuildings out with an unmarked Stephen Dunn heading into the top corner.

The second half carried on much same as the first with every tackle being fiercely but fairly contested. Donemana then took the lead when Thompson in the Newbuildings net saved the initial shot but the home side midfielder followed up to fire in the rebound.

Newbuildings had claims for a penalty turned down when the ball was handled in the box by a Donemana defender but to the amazement of everyone the referee waved play on! Newbuildings task was made even harder when they were reduced to ten men with 20 minutes to go and had their player manager Glenn Wallace carried off.

But to their credit the Newbuildings players continued to battle and were the better side there after with McCausland crashing a right foot shot off the inside the post in the dying minutes.

The home side could have killed the game off but for a glaring miss with the goal unattended from 10 yards but they held on for the three points.

This was a great effort from the Newbuildings team overall and with a bit more luck they would have got something from the game.

The Waterside men's next game takes place at Dungiven Reserves on Saturday, November 6.