Northern Amateur Football League Division 1B
Newcastle Town 2 Ballynahinch Olympic 1
By Greg Smyth
SOMETIMES results are much more important than performances, and this was one of those games with Newcastle scoring a late, late winner to secure all three points in a scrappy game.
With this being their last home game of the season, the Newcastle players knew that nothing less than three points were needed if they were to avoid being dragged into a relegation dog fight.
The players duly obliged with a battling performance that saw them nudge past a determined Ballynahinch Olympic team to secure a 2-1 win courtesy of Shedrach Adoyi’s 93rd minute winner.
The Ballynahinch men can feel a little aggrieved, having hit the woodwork twice, as they probably deserved a draw.
However, Newcastle rode their luck on occasions and battled to the finish with the late winner from substitute Adoyi a reward for their endeavours.
Newcastle started the game on the front foot and Leigh Moore fired a shot over Olympic keeper Ryan Walsh’s crossbar.
The 13th minute proved unlucky for the Ballynahinch men as Newcastle took the lead after a shot from Moore struck the Olympic crossbar and Aaron McClelland was on hand to force the ball into the net.
McClelland proved to be a good outlet for the home side, with his direct style causing the Olympic defence some anxious moments.
Olympic had a good chance to get back into the game as McLean grazed the Newcastle crossbar on the 20-minute mark.
The Ballynahinch men continued to create some decent chances, but a combination of poor finishing and solid defending kept them out.
Newcastle had some half chances of their own through Moore, McClelland and McCafferty but were unable to add to their advantage.
In the 40th minute, Olympic almost equalised after Nathan Jones headed against the crossbar.
Olympic stepped things up after the interval but it was Newcastle that had the first real chance, with McClafferty forcing a save from Walsh.
Gradually Olympic cranked up the pressure and in the 63rd minute a free kick from Jones was well saved by Newcastle keeper Jack McLaughlin.
Unfortunately for the home side, keeper McLaughlin went off injured and had to be replaced by full back Reece McAreavey.
Olympic sensed an opportunity and pushed forward in numbers. Jones fired a shot over the crossbar and a lovely ball across the Newcastle six-yard box evaded everyone when the slightest touch would have resulted in a goal.
The unlucky Jones headed over the Newcastle crossbar as the pressure on the home defence continued to build.
Eventually in the 76th minute, the Olympic pressure paid off, as Naseem Ouldhamlat netted a deserved equaliser.
There now looked like there would be only one winner, as Olympic pushed for a second goal.
To their credit, the Newcastle defence, and stand in keeper McAreavey, held firm and in the 93rd minute McCafferty made a run down the left wing and crossed for Adoyi to poke the ball into the Olympic net.
With Olympic reeling Newcastle almost rubbed salt in their wounds, but keeper Walsh saved well in the dying seconds to deny McCafferty.
A fantastic three points from Newcastle considering the number of players that were missing from their starting line-up.
MATCH SPONSOR: QUINNS BAR, NEWCASTLE
