Newry City out to build on positive start to the season as they face Ballymacash Rangers in home league opener
Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League. Friday August 29 (8pm): Newry City v Ballymacash Rangers
Newry City take on Ballymacash Rangers in their home league opener this evening, and they’ll be hoping to build upon a positive start to the campaign which has seen them win two out of three games, and keep clean sheets in every match.
There has been mass upheaval at Newry City with 17 new signings, but players such as Kane Rossiter in attack and Manny Kaguako in defence have caught the eye.
Familiar faces Thomas Lockhart, Declan Carville, Andy Martin and Lee Newell returned to the club, and they have been regular features so for for Stuart King’s side, providing some stability in a period of transition.
And one new face who supporters will certainly be pleased with is goalkeeper Jason Craughwell, who has yet to concede a goal, having played three competitive matches for the club. No Newry goalkeeper has ever kept four consecutive clean sheets in their first four games before (H/T Newry Football Memories), can Craughwell make history on tonight?
‘I can’t ask any more from them’
Following Newry’s most recent game, a 0-0 draw away to Moyola Park, King told the club’s social media channel that he’s delighted with the effort and application he’s getting from the players.
“Every single player gave me everything today,” he said post-match.
“The quality in the second half maybe wasn’t there, but every single player emptied the tank for their club – that’s all I can ask for.”
Looking ahead to tonight’s contest, he appreciates that Newry have a tough challenge, but if they continue to work hard, they’ll give themselves a good chance against any side in the league.
“They go from back to front really quickly. We have been watching them,” he said of Ballymacash.
“It’s gonna be a tough game; it’s our first home league game. Our next two games – against Ballymacash and Rathfriland – are going to show us where we are. But if my lads give me what they did today, then we’ll do OK.
“I can’t ask any from them. Yes, we can get fitter, yes we could have shown more quality in the second half, but we’ve kept a clean sheet again, and clean sheets win leagues.”