Waterside men go down fighting

NEWBUILDINGS United suffered their second league defeat of the season with an away defeat at Mountjoy.

From the start Newbuildings struggled to get their passing game going and the home side resorted to the long ball with both failing to test either keeper.

That was until 20 minutes into the game when Newbuildings gave away a free kick to the right of their 18 yard box. From this cross-cum-shot, the ball looped over Wray in nets and inside the far post. Newbuildings pushed forward looking for an equaliser with Falconer and Beattie looking lively on the wings and it was these two who combined to bring Newbuildings level.

Falconer collected the ball in the left back position and spread a 40 yard cross ball to Beattie who in turn beat the defender and then slipped the ball through to Falconer who had made a 60 yard run to dink the ball over the advancing keeper into the empty net.

Newbuildings settled now and started to knock the ball about. The away side almost took the lead when a short corner saw Kenny King send in a low cross which saw a sliding Paul McIvor unable to direct the ball into the net at the far post.

Mountjoy almost took the lead just before half time when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box which saw their attacker send in a low goalbound effort only for Johnny Wray to pull off a great save diving to his left and pushing the ball round the post.

The second half saw Newbuildings on the offensive again and they should have went 2-1 up when Garth Falconer was played through by David Scanlon, and rounded the keeper only to see his effort hit the side netting with the Mountjoy defenders scrambling back and the goal at his mercy.

Having failed to test the Newbuildings keeper in the second half the home side took the lead against the run of play when the ball was played up to their front man ten yards inside the Newbuildings half. As he turned Moore who was marking him unfortunately slipped which allowed the striker to run through on goal and slip the ball under the advancing Wray.

The visitors piled forward in search of an equaliser but found it difficult to break down the home side's five at the back.

Gregory McIvor had the best chance to level the game when the ball was squared to him 12 yards out but he side footed his effort wide of the post. For all their possession and pressure Newbuildings were unable to pull a goal back and the home side ran out victors.

This was a disappointing result but Newbuildings have a chance to bounce back on Saturday with a cup game at home to Belfast amateur side Rathfern Rangers (KO 1.30pm).