LSL Division 1
Gary Hilliard's last minute equaliser rescued a point and maintained the Saints unbeaten run. Hilliard slotted home John Reilly's excellent cross as the Saints fought back from 3 -1 down.
Karl Somers opened the scoring in the 2nd minute when he found the back of the net from Jordan Lancaster's free kick. Lancaster's free kick into the penalty area resulted in some panic and Karl pounced to give the Saints a perfect start. The Saints had the better of the opening exchanges and the Newbridge goalkeeper made a fine save diving to his right to deny Lancaster on 20 minutes.
The game was open and fast as both sides committed men forward, Newbridge Town came close to the equaliser in the 23rd minute when a shot went past the post. The home side started to apply some pressure and Saints goalkeeper Warren Fee made two great saves in the 37th minute, Fee dived to keep out a low drive and he reacted quickly to stop the follow on shot from his save. The home side kept probing and Fee made another great save in the 37th minute when his one handed save tipped a good effort over the crossbar. The Saints had warnings and Newbridge's pressure paid off when Fee was beaten just before half time by a brilliant strike by Dylan Connolly that flew into the top corner.
The Saints had a penalty appeal for hand ball turned down after the break, Glen Crowe's frustration with the decision earned him a place in the referees book and a yellow card. Crowe had two good efforts on goal before Newbridge took the lead in the 56th minute, Conor Delahunty worked some magic in the penalty area to create some space and he fired the ball past Fee into the roof of the net. Gary Hilliard replaced Crowe on the hour as manager Brian McCarthy freshened up the front line. Newbridge made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute when a quick break ended with Fee making a save and Conor Delahunty reacted at the near post to score his second goal of the game. Two minutes later David Somers pulled a goal back when he pounced on a sloppy back pass and rounded the goalkeeper to score his sixth goal of the season.
Graham Hughes came on for his debut in the 78th minute and the talented youngster got into good positions and did well. The Saints never know when they are beaten and threw everything at the home side. Newbridge survived a goalmouth scramble in the 85th minute and it should have ended with the ball in the back of the net. David Somers went close in the 89th minute when his shot went just past the post. That looked to be the last chance of the game but drama followed when Newbridge had a player sent off for time wasting after the defender picked up his second yellow card. The Saints have incredible fighting spirit and equalised with Hilliard's goal in the 90th minute.
It's a great point away from home especially coming from 3-1 down with a last minute equaliser. Newbridge are a very good side and played some nice football. The Saints can play better but it's a great sign when a team picks up points when not at their best. Seven games unbeaten after promotion is fantastic.
Team : Fee, Wilson, Fitzpatrick, O' Neill ( Reilly 45 ) Harrison, Deegan, K. Somers, C. Sheridan, D. Somers, Lancaster ( Hughes 78 ) Crowe ( 60 )
Subs : Reilly, Hilliard, Lyons, Hughes, Snowe, Brown, McLoughlin.
Report : Derek Nulty
Karl Somers opened the scoring in the 2nd minute when he found the back of the net from Jordan Lancaster's free kick. Lancaster's free kick into the penalty area resulted in some panic and Karl pounced to give the Saints a perfect start. The Saints had the better of the opening exchanges and the Newbridge goalkeeper made a fine save diving to his right to deny Lancaster on 20 minutes.
The game was open and fast as both sides committed men forward, Newbridge Town came close to the equaliser in the 23rd minute when a shot went past the post. The home side started to apply some pressure and Saints goalkeeper Warren Fee made two great saves in the 37th minute, Fee dived to keep out a low drive and he reacted quickly to stop the follow on shot from his save. The home side kept probing and Fee made another great save in the 37th minute when his one handed save tipped a good effort over the crossbar. The Saints had warnings and Newbridge's pressure paid off when Fee was beaten just before half time by a brilliant strike by Dylan Connolly that flew into the top corner.
The Saints had a penalty appeal for hand ball turned down after the break, Glen Crowe's frustration with the decision earned him a place in the referees book and a yellow card. Crowe had two good efforts on goal before Newbridge took the lead in the 56th minute, Conor Delahunty worked some magic in the penalty area to create some space and he fired the ball past Fee into the roof of the net. Gary Hilliard replaced Crowe on the hour as manager Brian McCarthy freshened up the front line. Newbridge made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute when a quick break ended with Fee making a save and Conor Delahunty reacted at the near post to score his second goal of the game. Two minutes later David Somers pulled a goal back when he pounced on a sloppy back pass and rounded the goalkeeper to score his sixth goal of the season.
Graham Hughes came on for his debut in the 78th minute and the talented youngster got into good positions and did well. The Saints never know when they are beaten and threw everything at the home side. Newbridge survived a goalmouth scramble in the 85th minute and it should have ended with the ball in the back of the net. David Somers went close in the 89th minute when his shot went just past the post. That looked to be the last chance of the game but drama followed when Newbridge had a player sent off for time wasting after the defender picked up his second yellow card. The Saints have incredible fighting spirit and equalised with Hilliard's goal in the 90th minute.
It's a great point away from home especially coming from 3-1 down with a last minute equaliser. Newbridge are a very good side and played some nice football. The Saints can play better but it's a great sign when a team picks up points when not at their best. Seven games unbeaten after promotion is fantastic.
Team : Fee, Wilson, Fitzpatrick, O' Neill ( Reilly 45 ) Harrison, Deegan, K. Somers, C. Sheridan, D. Somers, Lancaster ( Hughes 78 ) Crowe ( 60 )
Subs : Reilly, Hilliard, Lyons, Hughes, Snowe, Brown, McLoughlin.
Report : Derek Nulty
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