Carryduff Colts are in fine form and came up against on paper a strong team. The first half was dominated by Carryduff, whose composure on the ball decision making and energy levels were all at maximum. Odhran Dougan in Goals was a complete spectator in the first half. Backs again were very assured with Jack Rafferty, Conor Parson, Danny Bracken and Josh Hyland very much untroubled and were superb at linking with Midfield. Ryan Doherty sat n front of the back four and played his part in keeping the ball off his defense and also link well with midfield, roaming forward and putting through balls to the forward line. It was midfield where Carryduff won the first half battle with Conor Dunlop, Ciaran Sherry, Daniel McCrudden, and Craig Foster, all to a man harried and pressed Newington time after time and driving at Newington every time we had the ball and the chances were coming, but a solid Newington defense kept us a bay. Owen McMahon up front played hi part and working in unison with his midfield put real pressure on their backs.
The first half saw the first chance fall to Carryduff. A Owen McMahon corner swung to the back post was narrowly missed by craig. An Odhran Dougan special over the top was ran onto by Owen McMahon only to be incorrectly called off-side. Daniel Mccrudden got on the end of some intricate passing by Carryduff and only an alert keeper diving at his feet saved his shot.Chances were few and far between but Carryduff were by far the better team.
Second half Carryduff went for the win, switching to a 4:4:2 formation which, saw the introduction of Jack Laverty to partner Owen McMahon. Unfortunately this gave Newington More time on the ball and the game now really opened up. Both teams now had equal possession and Carryduff defense were more involved in the defensive side of the game. So the toing and flowing continued with Odhran Dougan being called up on to make 2 fine saves to keep the score at 0:0 but the deadlock was broken by Newington when the player was found free in the box only for his shot to rebound of the post and at the second attempt to slot it home.
Carryduff’s heads dropped and changes needed to be made to re-vitalize the team. Conal Haigney and Daniel Starkey came on. Carryduff began to shin again and jack Laverty harried the defence into a mistake to latch onto a loose pass only to narrowly miss the target. But Carryduff had the ball in the net from a Jack Laverty shot only to be called Off-side. Eventually the game seemed to be ebbing away form Carryduff as time was against them but the kept pushing for the equalizer. Jack Rafferty pushed forward and the keeper made a mistake and from distance Jack had to hit it first time and just pulled it wide . But the pressure told as Conal Haigney put pressuse on t heir central defender and pick pocketed the keeper to have the easy of tasks to score and so the game ended in a draw.
Man of the match: Daniel McCrudden
Daniel dominated this game with his energy levels , passing quickly, driving runs, defending and creating chances and did everything but score. Our top scorer for 2 years, (joined with Harry Sheehan last year) he has a great engine but credit to all the lads who played they were superb.