Football: Brown equaliser gives Tobermore a deserved point against Newington

Newington were the visitors at Fortwilliam Park last Saturday and it was clear from the off that they were in no mood for a repeat of last October’s defeat.

The Belfast men put the home side under real pressure right from the kick off and it was no surprise that their hard work paid off with only eight minutes gone.

Gary Rafferty got onto the end of a good cross from the left and gave Mathew McGraw no chance from close range.

Newington almost doubled their lead ten minutes later but McGraw somehow got down to a fierce drive to push the ball onto his left post.

The ball bounced off the post somehow ran across the goal line and hit the other post before the big keeper eventually was able to get it under control.

It was now Tobermore’s turn to make something happen at the other end of the pitch but the visiting back four and keeper easily dealt with efforts from Trevor Parkhill, Seamus Brown and Ryan Winton.Newington continued to press for a second but their finishing let them down and Brown made them pay when on 25 minutes.

Somewhat against the run off play, the big number nine was given too much room inside the box and he made no mistake to level proceedings.

The second period was pretty much the same as the first with Newington playing the better football but still unable to take any of the chances that fell their way.

Tobermore continued to counter attack but again failed to make the most of the few chances they created.

In the end Adrian Whiteside will be the happier of the two managers and he admitted after the game that he would have taken a draw before a ball was kicked as he only had 10 fit players the previous evening and a number of the lads had to play carrying injuries and sickness.

Tobermore; M McGraw, A Neill, M Harkness, G Donaldson, C Kilpatrick, S Glasgow, D Stewart, S Brown, M Curtis, T Parkhill, R Winton. Subs: N Lamont, A Young, P Keane.

Tobermore have no game this Saturday but are at home on Tuesday 7th v Annagh Utd and the following Tuesday 14th v Sport and Leisure. Both games kick off at 6.45pm.

Tobermore’s Mini Soccer sessions continues on Saturday.