Ballynahinch Utd Albion 1 Newcastle Town Forest 7
By Alan Imrie
NEWCASTLE Town Forest Newcastle recorded a resounding 7-1 victory over Albion at a sunny Langley Road on Saturday.
The visitors dominated the opening proceedings as they put the home defence under heavy pressure.
Albion’s Blunt, Callum Greene, Perkins and keeper Anthony Greene all defended valiantly as Newcastle turned up the heat on the Albion rearguard.
Newcastle’s Philly Dodds and Donal Acton dominated the midfield sector and produced a steady stream of chances for Jamie McKeen and Matt McCormick.
Eventually the Newcastle pressure paid off and the 13th minute proved unlucky for Albion as Philly Dodds latched on to a headed flick from Donal Acton, from Valentines long throw, to volley the ball past Anthony Green and into the net.
Albion were reeling and McKenzie Valentine almost made it 2-0 with a rasping effort that was inches wide of the Ballynahinch upright.
However, Newcastle were not to be denied and in the 16th minute Tim Sexton and Donal Acton combined to release Matt McCormick whose goal bound shot was helped into the net by centre half Callum Greene.
Newcastle were now very much on the front foot and another move involving Sexton, Acton, Dodds and Jennings led to Darach McLaughlin receiving the ball on the wing.
McLaughlin’s cross into the box deceived everyone, including keeper Greene, and ended up in the net.
With just 22 minutes gone, and a 3-0 lead, Forest were in total control and McLaughlin almost netted a second long range effort.
However, this time the ball hit the post and rebounded to safety.
However, Newcastle were not to be denied and in the 28th minute Jamie McKee’s corner kick found Tim Sexton who flicked the ball over the Albion defence for Donal Acton to shoot past keeper Greene.
In the 35th minute Acton netted again after collecting the ball in midfield and waltzed through the home defence to dink the ball over the advancing keeper.
A good first half performance from Forest as they pretty much put the game to bed.
In the full report read how Newcastle responded to Ballynahinch’s second half performance.