Newtown end superb season on a high
A fantastic foursome was secured for Newtown United on Sunday as the club added the Jim McLaughlin Premier Trophy to their remarkable haul this season with a 6-2 victory over Roundwood.
On a magnificently sunny day in Rathnew there was a buzz around the ground as supporters from both sides filled the single stand in anticipation of an exciting cup final.
Newtown entered the game as clear favourites due to their previous cup exploits and started to control the game early on by dominating possession and limiting Roundwood to rare counter attacks.
However, it was Roundwood who had the first real chance of the game as a deflection from a corner kick bounced off the crossbar before the ball was gratefully snapped up by Newtown goalkeeper Ken Turner.
Newtown continued their dominance with chances from Dean Odlum and Evan Moran testing Peter Byrne in the Roundwood goal.
In the 17th minute however, Newtown were shocked as they found themselves in the unfamiliar territory of being a goal behind. After a fantastic run from Roundwood winger Robin Byrne the ball was squared to striker Tommy Fitzpatrick who found the bottom corner from inside the six-yard box. For the rest of the first half the Roundwood game plan was simple – Don’t Concede.
Newtown hammered the Roundwood defence with wave after wave of attack with striker Dillon Carthy causing serious problems with his tricky feet and fantastic work rate.
Newtown’s best chance during this spell came through man of the match Dean Odlum after a low cross from winger Stuart Synott found Odlum at the near post but his shot was saved well by Peter Byrne to keep the scores level.
A moment of genius from Kevin Lynch nearly gave Roundwood that all-important two-goal cushion in the 25th minute as Lynch dispossessed Stuart Synott in the middle of the park. Lynch then let loose with a fantastic lobbed effort which flew narrowly over the bar leaving Ken Turner very relieved in the Newtown goal.
From a moment of brilliance to a near catastrophe for Roundwood in the 35th minute as goalkeeper Peter Byrne was robbed of the ball in his six-yard box by Dillon Carthy before squaring the ball back to Ross Davis who found Dean Odlum unmarked in the box. However, Byrne managed to get in a position to save Odlum’s shot and spare his own blushes.
This only increased Newtown’s and especially Dillon Carthy’s frustrations as it seemed the striker couldn’t buy a goal in the opening half with the save from Byrne coming minutes after Carthy had an equalising goal ruled out by an offside call from the officials.
Roundwood’s plan appeared to be working as they repelled each Newtown attack that threatened their goal and increased their hopes of perhaps ending Newtown’s cup final dominance.
In the 43rd minute however, Newtown grabbed the equaliser their efforts deserved through captain Neilly Martin. A lofted cross from the left hand side by Dillon Carthy found Martin at the back post to head past a helpless Peter Byrne.
A half-time change from Newtown saw Ryan Cahill replace Stuart Synott with the hopes of taking control of the cup final.
This proved to be the case as within minutes of the start of the half Newtown found themselves ahead through Dillon Carthy. After a mix up in the Roundwood box, Carthy was bundled over to gain his side a penalty which he duly slotted home to give Newtown the lead.
The sun began to have an obvious impact as Roundwood began to fade under constant Newtown pressure and the cup final specialists began to really kick into gear.
In the 63rd minute, Dean Odlum grabbed his first goal of the game after confusion in the Roundwood box saw the ball land at his feet before he fired the ball into the net to give Newtown a firm grip on the game.
Three minutes later, Odlum grabbed his second with a sweetly struck shot that flew high into the top corner of the Roundwood goal.
The scoreline became even more favourable for the Magpies as substitute Matty Kennedy
headed in from the six-yard box after from a Dean Odlum corner to all but etch Newtown’s name on the trophy.
Roundwood managed a brief moment of consolation in the 83rd minute as Damien Johnston saw his free kick sail over Ken Turner to make the scoreline a bit more favourable.
Newtown restored their advantage in the final minutes with a goal from Dean Carter after a fantastic through ball from Dillon Carthy.
As the final whistle blew, Newtown United could celebrate another jewel in the crown of their ever impressive and historic season.
Newtown: 1. Ken Turner, 2. Glenn Carthy, 3. Neilly Martin, 4. PJ Dowl-
ing, 5. Ross Davis, 6. Evan Moran, 7. Sean Heffernan, 8. Oisin Greenan, 9. Dean Odlum, 10. Dillon Carthy, 11. Stuart Synott. Subs: Ryan Cahill for S Synnott (45min), Matty Kennedy for O Greenan (60min), Conor Odlum for S Heffernan (78min), Dean Carter for R
Davis (84min).
Roundwood: 1. Peter Byrne, 2. David Kavanagh, 3. Ross Doonan, 4. Kenny Greene, 5. Sean Pollock, 6. Declan Carstairs, 7. Kevin Lynch, 8. Damien Johnston, 9. Tommy Fitzpatrick, 10. Ross Bushe, 11. Robin Byrne. Subs: Dylan Delemare forD Kavanagh (64mins), Sean Leahy for R Bushe (72min), Brian Gallagher for K Greene (80min).
Referee: Carl Doyle Linesmen: Michael Kennedy and Jason Redmond