Holly Jolly Holywood

Holywood FC 0 Newry City 3
McCabe, Grant, Hanaphy

Newry City got back in action after an enforced three week break as they defeated Holywood in the third round of the Coca Cola Intermediate Cup at a cold and blustery Seapark. After all the recent postponements, not to mention the off field financial issues at the club, the Newry supporters who made the trip to the seaside were pleased just to see their team get back into action.

Conditions were hardly conducive to free flowing football, with a heavily sanded and bobbly pitch and a strong swirling wind blowing across the pitch. With Ruairi Devlin joining the injury list, Ricky Copeland was recalled in a 4-4-2 formation.

Newry were on the front foot from the outset and might have had an early lead but for some poor finishing and decision making in front of goal. Home keeper Marty Morgan denied Darragh Hanaphy on a number of occasions, while Stephen McCabe also went close after an excellent run from his own half. Holywood responded with shots from McMullan and Gordon that were comfortably saved by Gareth Buchanan.

But Newry were getting closer with Hanaphy twice shooting wide when a pass across goal might have opened the Holywood door and with Don Tierney providing the ammunition from midfield, a goal had to come. It finally arrived on 28 minutes after Morgan had turned Marty Havern's shot round the post. Havern took the resulting corner and McCabe headed in to give Newry the lead.

Newry smelt blood and Tierney played in both Havern and Timmy Grant, only to see Morgan keep out their efforts. But on 32 minutes, Grant got on the end of another Tierney through ball, rounded Morgan and walked the ball into the net.

That felt like game over and perhaps Newry thought so too as they failed to create anything of note during the half hour period either side of half time. Holywood were working hard without creating much of their own, but the lively Johnny Mahoney caused some alarm with a cross come shot that fizzed across the Newry box and away to safety.

Newry picked things up in the closing stages with substitute Mark Hughes providing a late impetus to the attacking play. He combined well with Grant more than once; Hughes heading wide and Grant hitting a post. Then Hughes was brought down for what looked a clearcut penalty, but referee McCartney signalled a free kick on the edge of the box. Havern took it, Morgan saved, but Newry recycled the ball to Hanaphy who slotted home to complete the scoring.

It was far from a vintage display from Newry, but an important and satisfying win in the circumstances. Paul Donegan and Ricky Copeland were strong at the back, with Don Tierney having one of his better games for Newry in midfield. Up front, the Grant-Hanaphy combination continued the excellent form which has now seen them hit 14 goals (7 apiece) in the 5 games since they were paired together.

Newry: Buchanan (Morley-Hillen), King, Hutchinson, Donegan, Copeland, Tierney, Freeman, Havern (Masterson), McCabe (M Hughes), Grant, Hanaphy. Subs not used: D Hughes, Curran.
Newrycityfc.com Man of the Match: Don Tierney