Martin’s men grind out big win

A Wilson (15); Ross (33); Duddy (88)

Newtown Heath (0) 1

Ferry (55)

AFTER a shaky start Drumahoe secured maximum points in this top of the table clash with Newtown Health, at a wind swept YMCA playing fields.

Terry Martin’s young side, who could have been two goals down in the open few minutes, never really looked back after Andrew Wilson’s 15th minute opener.

The match, which was played on a leg sapping pitch, was end to end despite the tough conditions, with midfielder Kevin McLaughlin along with Alan Duddy and substitute Gareth Falconer all doing well for the home side.

The visitors, who started the game on the front foot were denied twice by Drumahoe keeper Ryan Wylie, firstly he instinctively kept out Mark Ansell’s close range shot before also doing well to save Mark McLaughlin’s strike.

Those two missed chances came back to haunt the visitors as the home side started to come more and more into the game and they took the lead on 15 minutes.

Alan King’s attempted over-head kick fell perfectly to Andrew Wilson and the midfielder made no mistake, calmly firing low past Keith McFadden.

Terry Martin’s side doubled their lead on 33 minutes: this time Michael Ross, who had to be substituted minutes later, showed great composure to steady himself before drilling the ball low into the net, giving McFadden no chance.

Just before the break McFadden came to his side’s rescue, this time the keeper made a smart save to keep out Kyle Miller’s close range shot.

Early in the second half Ryan Doherty’s free-kick found Millar, but this time he failed to trouble McFadden and fired wide.

With their tails up the Waterside men should have netted a third goal but substitute Falconer saw his well hit drive superbly saved by McFadden.

After those early chances in the second half were missed by the home side, the visitors went straight up the other end and pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when Seamus Ferry calmly picked his spot firing low into Wylie’s bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box.

Just after the hour mark an inch perfect centre by Duddy found striking partner King, but with the goal at his mercy, the unmarked front man somehow headed wide from six yards.

Another Duddy cross, this time from the left, found King, but his shot while on the slide was saved by McFadden.

With Heath pushing men forward in search of an equaliser they conceded at the other end as Drumahoe sealed the victory following another flowing move.

Falconer showed neat skill to get away from his marker before planting a dangerous low cross into the visitors’ box and the alert Duddy hammered home.

Drumahoe: Ryan Wylie, Ryan Doherty, Ciaran McDermott, Ryan Devine, Ryan Wilson, Michael Ross, Andrew Wilson, Kevin McLaughlin, Kyle Miller, Alan Duddy, Alan King. Subs: Gareth Falconer, Ryan Gallagher, Ryan Hamilton, James McCracken, Stuart Moore.

Newtown Heath: Keith McFadden, Ronan Mooney, Gary Dunne, Johnny Wright, Caolin Smyth, Seamus Ferry, Jim McConellogue, Paul Kheira, Mark McLaughlin, Mark Ansell, Andy Dunn. Subs: Micky McGonagle, Colm Deery, Sean McBay, Jay Kam, Liam Healy.

Referee: Mr Eugene Sherry.