Martin stars as Magpies soar!
Newtown claim the Youth Cup
NEWTOWN UNITED made it double delight Sunday as they added the Youth Development Cup to their Youth Development League crown.
The Magpies eventually shaded Glenview FC in an exhilarating clash in Shamrock Park. Having fallen behind, Luke Martin scored either side of Steven Davis’ peach to give his side a 3-1 lead, the latest of his strikes coming with just 16 minutes remaining.
But Glenview, wrongly reduced to ten men in the 73rd minute, reduced the arrears courtesy of Stephen Byrne to set up a thrilling climax but the Bray side fell just short in the end to allow United to complete their double dream.
The two sides had also gone to war in the league campaign, drawing 2-2 in Bray in February, while Newtown enjoyed a 7-4 success at the Matt Kelly Memorial Grounds on the league’s opening day.
And the early signs of this one showed that we were in for another treat. A third minute free kick caused problems in the Newtown defence – it was a touch away from going in but Keith McCormack managed to get his hands to the ball. A scramble ensued and Ibak Baky must’ve thought he’d bagged the opener, only for Declan Doyle to save the day and turn it clear.
Some route one football lead to the Glens’ next chance. Square-shouldered striker Jamie Fitzpatrick got the nod-on to send Jamie Cromwell haring after the ball. United ‘keeper McCormack won the race before spilling it, but he recovered before Cromwell could pounce.
Ross Doyle had the beating of McCormack in the 19th minute though as he pipped him to the ball and nudged it past only for Declan Doyle to somehow clear it from right underneath the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Glenview had a deserved lead. After Luke Martin had been flagged offside by Mick Kennedy, Glens goalkeeper Nathan Monaghan thumped the ball upfield. The Newtown defence were hesitant but Ross Doyle wasn’t, taking the ball down immaculately before neatly slotting home from 15 yards.
Newtown’s reply was swift and deadly. Less than a minute later, Martin crashed a half-volley off the crossbar and then on 26 minutes, he levelled.
The ball was worked to Steven Davis on the left-hand side of the area, he saw his shot stopped by the legs of Monaghan but Martin was ready and waiting to lash home the rebound.
A second goal for United was in the offing. McCormack’s kick-out was headed back to his own goalie by a Glenview defender but Monaghan was left short. David looked to punish the error but his lifted effort didn’t find the target.
Davis got his goal four minutes before the interval. Sean Odlum jinked his way down the right flank and whipped in an outstanding cross that left it on a plate for David. The striker did not disappoint as he headed in at the near post.
With tensions high, a bit of handbags earned yellow cards for Jamie McGrane and Aidan Carthy early in the second period and the sides could have been level a minute later.
Ross Doyle delivered a dangerous free kick and Danny Perry was crouched at the far post but couldn’t reach it, much to his disbelief and frustration.
Perry’s anger multiplied on 70 minutes. Sean Odlum was tearing through on the counter before being clipped by Glen O’Connor. Linesman Paul Murphy flagged for the offence, and after consulting his assistant, referee Seamus Byrne showed a yellow card to Perry instead of O’Connor.
And worse was to come for the defender. After being bamboozled by Martin in the box, he lunged in and caught the striker, leaving Byrne no option but to award the penalty and a second yellow.
Martin’s composed spot kick handed his side a commanding lead with just 16 to play. Before that penalty, Odlum had come agonisingly close to finding a third for the Magpies as his free kick thumped the underside of the crossbar.
A numerical advantage didn’t kill off Glenview, and they clawed a goal back seven minutes from time when Byrne drove home via a deflection off Aidan Carthy.
Newtown had a couple of chances to kill off the tie but poor decision making cost them as their counter attacks fizzled out. They were almost made to pay when a hoof from the back was flicked on by Kevin Kane but Stephen Byrne couldn’t find the finish that would have earned his side extra time.
Top Form: Luke Martin (Newtown United): Will be livid he couldn’t manage a hat-trick.
Glenview FC: 1. Nathan Monaghan, 2. Ibak Baky, 3. Glen O’Connor, 4. Danny Perry, 5. Michael Doyle, 6. Ross Doyle, 7. Jamie Cromwell, 8. Keith Kelly, 9. Stephen Byrne, 10. Jamie Fitzpatrick, 11. Jamie McGrane.
SUBS: Kevin Kane for Cromwell (37); Cillian Byrne for Fitzpatrick (77). Not used: Barry O’Brien.
Newtown United: 1. Keith McCormack, 2. Mark O’Brien, 3. Declan Doyle, 4. Aidan Carthy, 5. Robert Clarkson, 6. Evan Moran, 7. Stuart Synnott, 8. Ciaran Daly, 9. Luke Martin, 10. Steven Davis, 11. Sean Odlum.
SUBS: Dillon Carthy for Daly (75); Darragh Carthy for Odlum (80); Dillon Keenan for O’Brien (80). Not used: Nathan Davis, Vincent McCann.