Newry City pay the penalty in shootout loss to Rathfriland Rangers

Newry City lost out in a penalty shootout in tonight’s Mid Ulster Cup South Down derby clash against Rathfriland Rangers.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in normal time, which Newry will feel as though they should have won, given the goal-scoring opportunities they created in the second half.

The first half was devoid of much action, with neither goalkeeper tested for most of the opening 45 minutes. A succession of fouls on both sides prevented the game from settling into a rhythm and chances came at a premium.

Newry’s first opportunity came when a Scott McCullough cross found Declan Carville, but his header flew wide. Lee Newell then had a chance when he got on the end of a 40-yard pass from Manny Kaguako, but his low effort from the edge of the box flew just wide.

The closest the home side came to scoring was accidental, as McCullough whipped a dangerous cross in from the right wing. It was headed for the top corner, but Rangers shot stopper Ben McCauley read the danger and directed it wide.

As the half went on, Rathfriland grew into the game, and they had their first chance on the half hour mark when Jack Smith’s corner was met by Brian Johnston, but his header was comfortably saved by Jason Craughwell.

There wasn’t much Craughwell could do two minutes from the end of the first half however, when Rathfriland opened the scoring with a well-worked goal. Jake Willis’ cross was nodded on by Stephen McCavitt and Jack Barbour slammed home from close range to put the visitors ahead.

Rathfriland had a penalty shout just minutes into the second half when Matthew Holloway went down under challenge from Jack Chambers inside the box, but their appeals fell on deaf ears from the referee.

Craughwell came to the rescue of his captain Thomas Lockhart moments later, when the midfielder almost found the back of his own net. Smith’s free kick was nodded across goal by Holloway and Lockhart had to make a play on the ball. His interception nearly flew into the roof of the net, but Craughwell did well to keep the ball out.

Newry’s first chance of the second half came midway through it, when Lockhart’s corner was glanced on by substitute Kane Rossiter, but his effort went wide of the far post.

With just over 15 minutes to play, Newry had a golden chance but were foiled by an excellent McCauley save. After some slick build-up play down the right-hand side by Scott McCullough and Evan McEnteggart, McEnteggart squared it for Keith Dalton who looked certain to score from the middle of the box. Half the crowd were already celebrating when his shot looked set for the bottom corner, but McCauley got down superbly to make the fingertip save.

Rossiter was the next player to come close to equalising when he met Cormac McNally’s dangerous cross on the half volley, but his shot flew just over.

On 86 minutes, Newry finally found the breakthrough. Lockhart tried his best Dominik Szoboszlai impression, hitting a free kick from 30 yards out. He came inches away with the shot hitting the inside of the post, but Dalton was switched on and followed it up by tapping the ball into an empty net on the goal-line.

Newry looked the more likely side to win it late on, but neither side could find a winner and into a penalty shootout the game went.

Harry Campbell was the hero on spot-kicks, as his effort sealed a 5-3 win for the visitors.

In another local derby clash this evening, Warrenpoint Town defeated Windmill Stars 3-0.

MATCH STATS

Newry City: Jason Craughwell, Jordan King, Matthew Rendina, Jack Chambers (Jack Kelly 76), Declan Carville (Kane Rossiter 61), Lee Newell, Thomas Lockhart, Evan McEnteggart (Cormac McNally 76), Keith Dalton, Scott McCullough, Manny Kaguako.

Unused subs: Reece McKeown, Stephen Moan, Ryan Fearon, Alex Heaney.

Rathfriland Rangers: Ben McCauley, Jack Barbour, Eoin Lundy, Brian Johnston, David McCullough (Christopher Cope 76), Andrew Kilmartin, Stephen McCavitt (Harry Campbell 66), Jack Smith, Matthew Holloway, Joshua Cahoon, Jake Willis.

Unused subs: Daniel Murray, Eoin Rooney, Callum Mills, Ryan Dalzell.

Referee: Lee Robinson.