Roesiders retain the Sentinel Cup

Ferris (12); McSparron (19); Morrison (29)

BBOB(0) 1

King (70)

NEWTOWNE secured their 13th trophy in just four years, following their convincing 3-1 win over BBOB, to claim the Sentinel Cup, at the Riverside Stadium, last Wednesday night.

First half goals from Andrew Ferris, Trevor McSparron and Blain Morrison all but ended the final and credit to BB they battled hard in the second half and had Gary King’s tremendous long range goal to thank for their second half efforts.

For the Roesiders skipper Gerard Logue was thrilled that they had claimed the first trophy of the season.

“We are delighted to retain the Sentinel Cup and hopefully this will be our first of many trophies this season, we also want to win the league back again,” he said.

“The boys played well, we had some good passing and scored some good goals; Blain Morrison and Ryan Logue both played very well.

“We have some quick strikers and the boys know that our passing and movement, using quick one-two’s, which we learn at the training ground, hurts teams.

“I would like to thank the management team for all their hard work.”

The captain also admitted that keeper Lee Callaghan kept Newtowne in the game with two crucial saves in the opening few minutes.

“Lee has worked hard in training and has done well for us, he’s a very good shot-stopper and he made a super save in the second half to keep out Kyle’s (McCallion) penalty, but as I have said everyone played their part.”

Don Olphert’s side had two great chances to break the deadlock in the opening ten minutes, but Gary Nutt wasted them both, in fact his second opportunity, saw him race clear of the Newtowne back-line, but his well hit drive was saved by an out-rushing Callaghan.

Those missed chances came back to haunt the Waterside men, as Newtowne took the lead on 12 minutes when Ian Crockett’s free-kick into the BB box was only half cleared by Graeme Philson and the alert Ferris was on hand to fire home from 12 yards.

Newtowne, who were playing in their eighth final in four years, doubled their advantage when poor defending by Andrew Tate let-in Trevor McSparron and the striker calmly made no mistake blasting home past a stranded Sammy Livingston.

The game was effectively over on the half-hour mark when Newtowne grabbed their third and final goal a slick pass caught out the BB defence to release Morrison, who surprisingly was allowed to run in on goal without Livingston coming off his line, and he calmly side footed home past the BB net-minder.

Crockett who was booked earlier in the game was given his marching orders on 60 minutes for dissent, as the Old Boys started the second half on the front foot.

BB missed a golden opportunity to get themselves right back into the tie when Stephen Johnston was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, but McCallion saw his tame spot-kick easily kept out by Callaghan.

To their credit Olphert’s men didn’t let that penalty miss upset them and they did manage to pull a consolation goal back on 70 minutes and what a goal it was.

The impressive King won possession 35 yards from goal and after getting the ball out of his feet the midfielder blasted home off the underside of the crossbar past a flat-footed Callaghan.

Unfortunately for BB that King strike was the final piece of note worthy action, as Newtowne made it seven cup successes out of eight in the last four years.

Newtowne: Callaghan, Harkin, Kelly, Johnston, O’Hara, Logue, Crockett, Logue, Morrison, Ferris, McSparron. Subs: Moore for Ferris (64); O’Reilly, Woods & McClenaghan (not used).

BBOB: Livingston, McCauley, Tate, G Philson, Moore; Brown, King, Nutt, McCallion; Scroggie, Nutt. Subs: Blair for Brown (71); Bryson, Finlay, R Philson & Duddy (not used).

Referee: Mr John Crossan.

Sent-off: Crockett (60).