United win after stern words

Newbuildings United...3

NEWBUILDINGS United collected all three points in a match against Oxford United Stars that proved to be a game of two halves.

The visitors started very slowly as Oxford controlled possession and forced a number of corners which the United defence dealt with comfortably.

The home side continued to play some neat football but lacked a cutting edge thus failing to test McCloskey in nets.

Newbuildings almost took the lead against the run of play when Robinson forced a good save from the Oxford keeper diving well to his left.

Stars took a deserved lead midway through the first half when good work down the left saw a low cross across the six yard line be rifled home at the back post by the Oxford right winger.

This spurred Simpson, the Newbuildings manager into making two substitutes bringing on Blair and Scanlon, both returning from injury.

McIvor went close for the Utd when his 20 yard free kick was tipped round the post by the Oxford keeper. Newbuildings counted themselves lucky going in at the break only one down.

Some stern words at half-time saw a different Newbuildings side take to the field for the second half.

The Waterside men upped the tempo, and began to force Oxford back and they drew level after good work from Robinson on the right saw him send in a low cross which the on-rushing McIvor dispatched into the back of the net with a first time shot.

Newbuildings continued to dictate the game and the introduction of striker Clarke for Glenn gave United a more physical presence up front.

United went in front in some what fortunate circumstances when a corner from the left saw the Oxford keeper fail to deal with the cross and his defender chest the ball into his own net.

Clarke was proving to be a handful up front he had an assist in United’s third goal when he played a delightful ball in behind the Oxford defence for Curry whose pace took him clear and he cooly rounded the keeper to slot the home into the empty net.

Oxford could only manage a couple of attacks in the second half but these were easily dealt with by the visitor’s back-line with Moore excelling at centre half.

Newbuildings will travel to Limavady this Saturday to face Roe Rovers in the league (KO 2pm), with the reserves at home to Caw also in the league (KO 2pm).