‘Well back for seconds!
NEWFOUNDWELL TRIM CELTIC 2 1
NEWFOUNDWELL’S second string completed the Premier Reserve League and Cup double with this hard-fought victory over Trim Celtic.
These two teams had finished level on points in the table, necessitating this play-off for the silverware, and Trim were installed as the favourites despite both previous meetings of the clubs ending in draws.
From the outset the Meath side showed why as they took control of the game and they were looking the more likely victors as they pushed the ‘Well back and created chances.
A well-worked move caught out the ‘Well defence out and the Trim man shot past the helpless Stephen Kermode to give them a deserved lead.
Trim continued to press after aaht and would have been further ahead but for the excellence of Kermode.
Trim’s failure to add to their tally would come back to haunt them and around the half-hour you could see the Drogheda men starting to get their game together.
They enjoyed much more possession and pushed Trim into a more defensive mode, but this ‘Well team have become accustomed to dealing with such tactics on a number of occasions this season and they know what it takes to get back into games.
Sometimes big games need big players, and with their captain Gaz Smith showing the way it was no suprise that he was the man who created the equaliser for his team.
A good passing move and a good refereeing decision to allow advantage for a foul on Smith resulted in his pass reaching the boot of Connor Parkinson to slot home a well-taken goal just seven minutes before the break.
The second half was a totally different game and whatever team talk the ‘Well managers Danny Doyle and Barry Woods had with their team worked. They took total control and wingers Brandon Sullivan and Adam Brady were giving Trim a lot of trouble and chances were being created.
The introduction of Stephen Brennan with 15 minutes to go caused their opponents more problems up top and the ‘Well created some really good chances.
With time running out it seemed that extra time and possibly penalties might be required to separate these teams, but two minutes into stoppage time a great run from Brady took him past three Trim players into the box.
He slotted a pass towards the feet of Shaun Bannon who slotted home for a deserved winner as his running and workrate were brilliant throughout.
It was too late for a Trim comeback and soon after the referee blew for full-time and the double celebrations started for a club who have also won the NEFL Premier Division title this season and still have a Kilmessan Shield to play for.
NEWFOUNDWELL: Stephen Kermode, Cian O’Brien, Gareth Smith, David Donovan, Niall Costello, Ross Reid, Niall Murtagh, Brandon Sullivan, Adam Brady, Connor Parkinson, Shaun Bannon. Subs: Stephen Brennan, Rory Everitt, Barry Foley, David O’Brien, Johnny Carroll, John Campbell.
Results
FRIDAY MAY 18th
Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup semi-final:
Div 1/Div 2 Promotion/Relegation play-off:
Over 35 Group B:
SATURDAY MAY 19th O’Neill Shield Final:
Reilly Cup semi-final: SUNDAY MAY 20th Bradys Cavan Div 4:
SUNDAY MAY 27th, 11.15 Kilmessan Shield Final:
Fitzsimons Cup semi-final:
Prem Div/Div 1 Promotion/Relegation play-off (extra time/pens):
Bradys Cavan Div 4: