Brave Newry City effort falls just short against Linfield in the Bet McLean League Cup Quarter-final

Newry City gave a great account of themselves this evening, coming up just short in a 3-2 loss to Linfield at The Showgrounds.

Newry impressively held their own with the Premiership giants for most of the first half, showing defensive discipline and an unquestioned work rate right across the pitch.

Unfortunately for Stuart King’s men, they weren’t able to trouble Blues goalkeeper David Walsh in the opening half. The closest they came to troubling the scoresheet was when a Jack Chambers corner dangerously bounced around the Linfield box, but no one was on hand for Newry to apply the finish.

Linfield’s first attack of the day came on the counter attack, with Samuel Taylor cutting the ball back for Matt Yates, but his first time finish flew just wide of the far post.

The Premiership champions then had a golden chance when Callumn Morrison sent Charlie Allen clean through on goal. The Linfield number 10 did the hard part by rounding Newry ‘keeper Jason Craughwell, but he inexplicably fired wide despite facing a wide open net.

The visitors didn’t have to wait too much longer to open the scoring however, as on 33 minutes they found a way through. Again it was Morrison and Allen combining to create the chance, with Allen setting Morrison up on this occasion. Despite close attention from Evan McEnteggart and not much of the net to aim at, he blasted a powerful first time finish past Craughwell at the near post and into the back of the net.

Despite the setback, Newry closed out the half well and didn’t allow any further chances to the heavy favourites.

Early in the second half, Newry were unlucky to be denied an equalising goal due to an early whistle. Cormac McNally was pulled back on the left wing, but still in possession, referee Louise Thompson played an advantage. Whenever McNally put the ball into the box, Thompson blew her whistle for the free kick. However, the whistle came prematurely, as the advantage led to Declan Carville getting on the end of the cross and finishing past Watson.

The goal didn’t stand and Carville was shown a yellow card for dissent due to his reaction to the decision.

It took 20 minutes for Linfield to get their first shot of the second half, but when they got the opportunity, they took it. Kyle McClean laid the ball off for substitute Isaac Baird just inside the Newry box. Baird stayed onside, set himself up on his right foot and blasted home into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.

However, Newry had the perfect response a minute later. From a Chambers corner, McEnteggart met the ball with an emphatic header and beat Walsh to bring Newry right back into the game.

Linfield then almost hit back themselves a moment later. A free kick from the right wing wasn’t properly dealt with by the Newry defence, and Matthew Fitzpatrick had a chance with a close range header. Luckily for Newry, his attempt hit the crossbar and went over.

Linfield were intent on putting the game to bed and they almost did, but for a brilliant fingertip save from Craughwell. Fitzpatrick picked out Scot Whiteside with a whipped cross but his glancing header was denied by the City shot stopper.

The visitors finally got the third goal they were chasing 10 minutes from the end of time. Taylor’s cross found Kirk Millar at the back post, and whilst his initial shot was saved by Craughwell, the rebound fell for Morrison, and he made no mistake from close range.

Kane Rossiter almost pulled Newry back into the game once more with a half volley effort from the edge of the area, but his shot went just inches wide of the post.

Late on, King went to his bench and brought on a number of young faces – Alex Heaney, Charlie McGrath, Callum Lynch and Jack Kelly – and Lynch made his impact on 87 minutes. He spun away from his marker and set Keith Dalton away down the left wing. Dalton gave it a go from just outside the box and, with a healthy deflection, the ball looped over Walsh and found its way into the back of the net to give Newry hope in the dying stages.

With the crowd behind them, Newry pushed for a dramatic late equaliser. Unfortunately for City, Linfield were able to see the game out, but the home faithful showed their appreciation for the players’ efforts with a standing ovation at the full-time whistle.

MATCH STATS

Newry City: Jason Craughwell, Jordan King (Alex Heaney 83), Matthew Rendina, Jack Chambers (Charlie McGrath 83), Declan Carville (Callum Lynch 83), Shane Forbes, Evan McEnteggart, Cormac McNally (Kane Rossiter 75), Keith Dalton, Scott McCullough, Georgie Poynton (Jack Kelly 83).

Unused subs: Reece McKeown, Rory O’Connor.

Linfield: David Walsh, Scot Whiteside, Kirk Millar (Jon Graham 81), Kyle McClean, Charlie Allen (Isaac Baird 60), Ben Hall, Matt Yates (Matthew Fitzpatrick 60), Sean Brown, Ethan McGee (Samuel Roscoe-Byrne 90+2), Samuel Taylor, Callumn Morrison.

Unused subs: Chris Johns, Jacob Farr, Oliver Wade.

Referee: Louise Thompson.