MATCH REPORT: Newry City hold on to claim first home league win in almost two years

Newry City defeated Ballinamallard United 1-0 yesterday evening, claiming their first home league win since November 12 2022 in the process.

Manager Barry Gray spoke to us after the game saying it was important to get that monkey off their back for the supporters.

“You can see that from their reaction in the dying five or 10 minutes. They played their part tonight, which was to spur the team on and they made sure we got over the line in the end.”

You can watch his full interview for free in the link at the top of the page.

Whilst things turned out well for Newry in the end, they almost got off to the worst of starts when Noel Healy conceded a penalty with just six minutes gone, but goalkeeper Conor Mitchell came to the rescue, saving Aaron Harkin’s spot kick.

At the other end, a Steven Ball free was flicked on by Gavin Smith and headed goalwards by Ryan McNickle, but his effort went just inches over the bar. Then, McNickle lifted an over-the-top through ball for his captain, but Ball’s low shot was saved.

The roles were reversed on 31 minutes, as Ball turned provider and this proved to be the right formula, as he played McNickle through on ball, and the striker kept his composure and finished his one on one chance.

Ballinamallard almost equalised on the stroke of half-time, but Mitchell denied Daniel Barker with a good reaction save, before McNickle did his defensive work by putting in a diving block on Callum Moorehead’s rebound.

In the second half, the visitors had to chase the game and they forced Mitchell into another superb save, when Peter Maguire met Harkin’s free with a header, but Mitchell tipped the shot over.

With five minutes to go, Seanna Foster was shown a second yellow card for a foul Alex Holder and he was given his marching orders.

The away side almost nicked a point at the end when Richard Johnston’s long ball was headed down by Moorehead, but Darragh Stewart – who was 12 yards out – completely missed the ball with his volley effort.

As a result, Newry held on to claim their first win of the season.

MATCH STATS

Newry City: Conor Mitchell, Noel Healy, Ryan McGivern (Jordan Mooney HT), Gavin Smith, Fra McCaffrey, Alex O’Brien, Seanna Foster, Steven Ball, Ryan McNickle, Dualta Honney (Ciaran O’Connor 68), Donal Scullion.

Unused subs: Oisin McStay, Adam Carroll, Lorcan Forde, Stephen Moan, Georgie Poynton.

Ballinamallard United: Joel Little, Ryan Morris, Richard Johnston, Peter Maguire, Alex Holder, Aaron Arkinson (Nathan Sherry 80), Aaron Harkin, Callum Moorehead, James McGrath, Jamie Dunne (Darragh Stewart 71), Daniel Barker (Joshua McIlwaine 90+3).

Unused subs: Shane O’Gara, Dean Corrigan, Ultan O’Grady, Sean McAteer.

Referee: Stewart Long.