Derby success puts the ‘Well in pole position

NEWFOUNDWELL moved to the summit in the North East League Premier Division on Sunday afternoon, with two games still in hand, after winning this all-Drogheda clash with Boyne Harps at DIFE.

The ‘Well had taken another step towards the title last Wednesday when defeating Duleek 2-0 at the Tollstone with goals from Dean Carolan and Ryan Connor, but they expected a stiff test from Harps who have caused them plenty of problems in the past.

In the end, though, it was a straightforward victory, with Harps not helping their own cause by having goalkeeper Bryan Smith and Gavin Brennan sent off in the second half.

This was Harps’ last game of the season and they had all their big guns playing, but it was Newfoundwell who struck first after 22 minutes when Ian Devine showed great feet to control a cross before showing great vision to tee up John Kermode for a nearpost finish.

However, coming up to half-time Harps were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty kick for a push on Gavin Brennan. The former League of Ireland star dusted himself down and aimed the spot kick towards the corner, but the Well’s highly rated keeper Ronan Brown guessed correctly and palmed the ball round the post.

Soon after the break it was the

NEWFOUNDWELL BOYNE HARPS 3 0

home side’s turn to earn a penalty as Craig O’Connor was brought down, and this time the spot kick was converted by Devine for a 2-0 lead.

Still, Newfoundwell weren’t quite home and hosed, but Harps’ hopes of salvaging something from the game were dealt a severe blow on 65 minutes when Smith was dismissed for throwing the ball into Paddy O’Boyle’s face, with outfield player Mickey Matthews coming off the bench to take over in goal.

Then on 75 minutes Brennan got his marching orders for a second yellow card, although the visitors felt their man had won the ball cleanly in a tackle on Cormac Reid.

O’Boyle, who previously had a long spell with Harps, put the icing on the cake for his current club with their third goal near the end, one which was especially warmly received.

‘Paddy was the happiest man in Drogheda,’ said joint manager Paul Crowley afterwards.

‘He has been excellent for us this season and his discipline has been excellent, and he was telling me he’d even gone to mass the day before praying we’d win today. That’s how much it means to him.’

Newfoundwell’s four remaining matches are all away from home, starting with OMP United this Wednesday and continuing with Bellurgan United next Sunday. Their other games are against Ardee Celtic and fellow title contenders Trim Celtic. NEWFOUNDWELL: Ronan Brown, Daryl McDonagh, Stephen Murphy, Paddy O’Boyle, Craig O’Connor, Alan Murphy (Rob Cashman), Cormac Reid, Adam O’Connor, John Kermode (Ross Reid), Ian Devine, Anto Burke (Ryan Connor).

BOYNE HARPS: Bryan Smith (Mickey Matthews), Darren McCann, Austin McCann, Kevin Walsh, James Traynor (Barry Reynolds), Manny Smith, Tom Reilly, Gavin Brennan, Stephen Carter, Guy Bates, Carl Dowling. Sub not used: David Woods.