Drogheda Independent

All’s ‘Well ahead of duel with champs

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NEWFOUNDWE­LL TRIM CELTIC 2 0

NEWFOUNDWE­LL made a winning start to their NEFL Premier campaign last Thursday night as they prepare for this week’s visit of defending champions Muirhevnam­or to Monasterbo­ice.

Facing a Trim Celtic side who had defeated Bellurgan in their opening fixture, Danny Gartland’s charges were a little bit slow out of the blocks as the Meath club made the better start.

However, Ronan Brown in the ‘Well goal wasn’t troubled in those early stages and after 10 minutes the home side settled down, helped by the composure of former League of Ireland star Alan Murphy who was making his league debut for the club.

Last season’s league runnershad a strong shout for a penalty when they felt one of their forwards was clipped by the Trim keeper, but the referee instead penalised the ‘Well player for going down too easily.

That sense of injustice was quickly forgotten though as the breakthrou­gh goal arrived in the 25th minute. There was good play initially between Alan Murphy and Dylan Kearney before play was moved right to Ryan Connor. The winger advanced before swinging in a deep cross which was volleyed to the net first-time by Craig O’Connor.

The ‘Well looked comfortabl­e enough for the remainder of the first half, with Daryl McDonagh, man of the match Paddy O’Boyle and Stephen Murphy strong at the back and Brown commanding when dealing with corner kicks.

On the restart Trim went looking for an equaliser and had the home defence working overtime for a spell, with Brown diving low to his left to make a save on one occasion. However, Gartland’s men weathered the storm and eventually gave themselves a more comfortabl­e cushion in the shape of a second goal in the 70th minute.

Jordan Duffy was brought down on the edge of the area and centre-half O’Boyle stepped up to curl his free kick into the top corner via the underside of the bar. That was his fourth goal in three games since joining the club, three of them in the Kilmessan Shield.

Duffy was denied by the Trim keeper late on, although Brown had to make a fine stop, tipping a shot onto the bar, to save the ‘Well from a nervous finale.

This Thursday it’s back to Muirdeach’s Park in Monasterbo­ice, Newfoundwe­ll’s home for 2017/18, as they host Muirhevnam­or in what could turn out to be an important fixture in this season’s title race. NEWFOUNDWE­LL: Ronan Brown, Daryl McDonagh, Stephen Murphy, Paddy O’Boyle, Alan Murphy, Cormac Reid, Dylan Kearney, Craig O’Connor, Ryan Connor, Jordan Duffy (Conor Parkinson, Adam Brady), Ciaran Carroll.

 ??  ?? Stephen Martin, Albion Rovers, gets in front of Woodview’s Jason Myles during Sunday afternoon’s NEFL Division
Stephen Martin, Albion Rovers, gets in front of Woodview’s Jason Myles during Sunday afternoon’s NEFL Division

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