Strangford advance in cup

Strangford advance in cup

2 October 2024

THIS NFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell Cup second round tie between Strangford and Newcastle Town Swifts proved to be a thrilling match at The Links on Saturday. 

A total of nine goals were exchanged but ultimately it was the hosts who just did enough to secure their place in the next stage of the competition.

Both sides have already met in the league with Strangford getting the win on that occasion by a single goal, but a much changed team for Newcastle this time around proved to be more of a challenge for their opponents. 

The first ten minutes of the match was fairly even with Strangford’s first chance coming from a Paul Donnelly header that went just wide. 

Newcastle’s first shot on target came in the ninth minute when Sanctan Byrne took aim from the edge of the box, but his strike was well saved by ‘keeper Greg Holland. 

However, the first goal of the match did go the way of Newcastle, as Zac Cullen set up Ben Ogle, who knocked the ball into the net. 

It did not take long for Strangford to level the game as, just four minutes later, Jack Fitzsimons crossed into the box for team-mate Owen Curran to head home. 

It took a while but Strangford eventually nabbed their second goal in the 33rd minute when Aodhan Harney showed Cailum Madine a clean pair of heels before unleashing a great pass into Fitzsimons, who left no doubt with his finish.

Newcastle responded with determination and found two goals ahead of half-time, with Ogle grabbing his second goal of the game from a header and Byrne securing the other to leave the Seasiders in front by the interval.

After the restart, Strangford immediately went in search of goals. Both Harney and Fitzsimons went close but Newcastle showed resistance. 

However, in the 65th minute, a fantastic free-kick from Fitzsimons saw him curl his effort into the top right corner to level the tie. 

Soon after it appeared that Newcastle were going to restore their goal lead, although Ogle was denied by a super save from Holland. 

Strangford took the lead in the 76th minute when Harney’s cross into the box was met by David Shields, who was there to smash the ball into the net. 

With time running out, Newcastle launched a successful counter-attack which ended in Byrne rifling his effort into the top left corner past helpless ‘keeper Holland. 

The game, now teetering in the balance, required one last big push from either side otherwise the contest was heading for extra-time.

And that push came from Strangford as David Shields’ corner eventually found its way to Kelly, who applied the finish. 

Strangford only had to hold on for five further minutes while Newcastle desperately needed to find a goal.

However, it was very much Strangford on the attack with Kelly having two great chances into added time, none of which he could convert. 

Nevertheless, Strangford successfully shut up shop and now advance into the next round.