Smith sees draw as 'two points dropped'

Sammy Smith, of course, after Newington’s home draw against neighbours Kilroot Rec.

Sammy, however, maintained “it was two points lost”. “We were two-up, and should have been four of five-up,” he said. “We were missing our leading goalscorer David Steele. If he had been on, there’s no way we would have lost. And we could have got that third goal that would surely have won it, had their keeper not pulled off a brilliant save.

“In saying that, fair play to Kilroot for sticking at it and coming back at us in the second half – but the match should have been over.”

Kilroot official Terry Thomas, meanwhile, conceded: “We’re delighted with a point, though maybe Newington helped us a little in going 4-5-1 in the second half. It gave us the chance to get back at them.”

Oddly enough, both Kilroot goals were scored by two of the players Newington had ‘lost’ during the summer, Paul Thompson and Darren Moran, who insisted he got the final touch to the dramatic 88th minute equaliser.

Rangers opened the scoring on three minutes, with Jeff Withers taking one touch before dispatching an Aaron Bell pass into the bottom corner.

At the other end, Andrew Dummigan hoisted the loose ball over the bar, after Paul Gibb’s initial shot had been parried by keeper Aaron McGrath.

That apart, it was mostly Newington, with Dean Haggan doing well to deprive Withers, who this time opted for the near post.

There was a penalty appeal when Rab Hunter went down in the box, before Rangers deservedly widened the margin; Phil Thompson nodding in Withers’ near post corner.

After the break the Carrick side hinted that this one wasn’t quite done and dusted yet, halving that lead on the hour, courtesy of a free kick from ex Newington Ranger Paul Thompson – the first goal Sammy Smith’s side have conceded in the league this season, in this their fourth outing.

Even so, Newington seemed to have done enough until Kilroot pinched that late leveller just two minutes from time, with Moran insisting he had got the final touch to Thompson’s tempting cross.

Newington could have won it in stoppage time, when McGarel nodded just over and then, right at the death, when Rob Armstrong just got that vital touch to divert a Chris Johnston cross away from the head of Chris McConnell.

Next Saturday, it’s Border Cup derby day, as Newington Rangers entertain UUJ and Kilroot Rec travel to Wellington Rec.

Newington Rangers; A McGrath – Hall, McConnell, McGarel, Hunter – Johnston, Bell, Graham, Withers (Houston) – Phil Thompson (Deignan), G McGrath (Brown).

Kilroot Rec; Haggan – Braiden, Davies (Todd), O’Connor – D Wright (Garvey), Moran, Armstrong, McFetridge (Benson), Paul Thompson – Dummigan, P Gibb.

Man of the Match; Jeff Withers, Newington Rangers.

Newington Rangers; Player In; Josh McAllister, Wellington Rec.