Newbuildings United 3 Ardstraw 3
Newbuildings United were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Ardstraw in their Northern Ireland Intermediate League clash at Newbuildings Park.
Manager Darryl Wallace made several changes to the Newbuildings starting line-up, obviously with one eye on the upcoming cup final clash with Oxford United Stars.
After early pressure from Ardstraw, Newbuildings settled to play some attractive football but went behind when, against the run of play, the visitors went ahead in the 30th minute.
The home side drew level when Richard Lynch gave the Ardstraw keeper no chance from the penalty spot after Ross Clark had been fouled in the box.
Ardstraw restored their lead early in the second half when they successfully converted a penalty when the referee awarded a spot kick following handball by defender Dillon Rutherford.
The reversal spurred Newbuildings and were brought on level terms again when lynch scored his second goal of the game with a well-placed header from a corner.
However, Ardstraw went ahead again five minutes later from a free kick awarded against Graham Moore.
Manager Wallace responded by making several substitutions and changes in the formation was soon rewarded when Glenn Wallace headed home excellent cross from substitute Nathan Robinson.
Newbuildings were denied a fourth and winning goal when the Ardstraw keeper brilliantly saved a Falconer free kick.
Wallace was full of praise for this side’s performance.
He said: ” We were again missing key players, but the players who have came in have been excellent today” commented the gaffer.
“After a lot of changes recently, we are playing really well again, and we’ll go into the cup final against Oxford in a positive and confident mood.”
He concluded: “Oxford are the favourites now – but we will do our best to do our fans proud and to finish off the season in style.”
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