U13s battle hard in defeat

Dromore Amateurs U13s 1

FRIDAY night saw Dromore's Tegral-sponsored U13s visit Newry Showgrounds to play Newry City under the floodlights in a Mid Ulster Youth League match.

Newry - not having dropped a point in this league section – might have expected an easy encounter but Dromore showed that making up the numbers isn't in their script.

The game started with both teams determined to make an impact in the big stadium and a thrilling encounter ensued. Newry took an early lead scoring a good goal after only five minutes, keeper Neil Herron having no chance, but goalscoring opportunities came at both ends right from the off.

After 15 minutes a series of good passing play saw Ben Martin upended at the right side of the penalty area, giving centre-back Bob Gibson the opportunity to display his free-kick talents.

True to form Gibson stepped up and slammed the ball high into the corner of the Newry net levelling the scores.

Chances continued to come at both ends, Kyle Shakesby at right wing-back having to be at his absolute best to contain Newry's speedy and talented left-winger and Herron pulling off some superb saves, whilst at the other end Daniel Abraham narrowly cleared the crossbar with a clever lob from 20 yards out.

The second half saw a resumption of a tremendous advertisement for youth football, again Herron making some classy saves and at the other end Martin and hitman Callum Barnes drawing out the same from Newry's stopper.

A classic end-to-end encounter saw constant goalmouth action but both team's midfields were equally busy, Aaron McConville and Abraham putting together some great attacking passing giving rise to a number of great chances.

With time running out the game could have gone either way though a draw seemed like the likely and most fair result, however drama came deep into stoppage time as Newry converted a chance in a crowded goalmouth, again Herron having no chance.

Dromore threw everything at Newry for the final seconds but were unable to claw a leveller. Overall, a superb advert for the game with Dromore's players feeling very unlucky to travel home without a deserved point.

The KS Home and Garden Services man-of-the-match for Dromore with some superb saves was keeper Neil Herron.

Team: Herron, Shakesby, Hawthorne, Gibson, Ruddock (Cunningham), Wilson (c), McConville, Martin, Russell, Abraham (Murray), Barnes.