VIDEO: Newtown claim NEFL title in style

Newtown Utd wrapped up the NEFL Div 3 title in style in front of a huge crowd at Woodtown where they got the better of Park Celtic Summerhill by 6-1 writes JUSTIN BURKE.

Park Celtic Summerhill were without five first team players for this clash due to a bereavement and to their credit they never stopped playing even up to the final whistle and grabbed a late consolation for their efforts. 

The home side took just five minutes to open the scoring, Darren Clare winning the ball in the middle of the pitch before sending a perfect pass onto prolific goalscorer Daire Rowe who took one touch before slotting home a left foot shot past Dean Morris. 

 

Newtown doubled their lead on nineteen minutes when Jame Farrelly collected the ball in his own half and sent a long ball down the left flank to his strike partner Daire Rowe and his pace saw him get past Brian Rispins challenge and then the striker showed all the composure in the world as he got past Morris in the Summerhill nets before finishing off into an empty net. 

Two minutes later it was all over as a tie as Paul Smith won the ball in midfield, Andrew White took it off him and found James Farrelly with a pass and the big forward laid it into the path of Rowe who held off a challenge from John Duffy before calmly finishing past Morris once again to complete his hat trick after just twenty one minutes. 

The day got even worse for the away side as they were reduced to ten men fifteen minutes later as Rowe ran onto a through ball Daniel Connolly stretched out in vain for the ball but caught the striker legs bringing him down on the edge of the box leaving match official Noel Scott but to send him off as he was last man. 

The second half continued off the way the first finished, all Newtown and it wasn't long before they added a fourth goal, Paul Smith sending a clever pass over the Park Celtic defence which found James Farrelly unmarked and the striker raced down on goal with just Morris to beat he made no mistake finishing with his right foot into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 

Four soon turned to five as Newtown were awarded a penalty five minutes later, Daire Rowe raced down the left with the ball from a Mark Dardis Throw and he teed up Aaron Condron in the box but before he could set himself up he was brought down by Stephen Lynch leaving the match official no option but to point to the penalty spot.

James Farrelly took the responsibility of the spot kick and sent it straight down the middle leaving Morris no chance. 

With ten minutes remaining in this game, Newtown capitalised on bad defending as Brian Rispins passed to Stephen Lynch was chased down by frontman Rowe before robbing Lynch of the ball and then rounding goalkeeper Morris to slot home a right foot finish for his fourth goal of this match and his sides sixth. 

Park Celtic Summerhill kept plugging away at the Newtown United defence and finally got the reward they deserved as John Farrell won the ball in midfield and his pass found Stephen Lynch's run and despite Eoghan Nelson closing him down he got to the ball first before poking the ball past Donovan Sheridan in the Newtown nets.  

Newtown claimed the league title and North East Football League committee member Danny Doyle presented the cup to Newtown captain Mark Dardis to the delight of the home crowd.

Newtown United manager John Weldon spoke of his delight after the game, saying his team put in a huge effort all season and it was their first cup to win since the 1995/1996 season when their reserve side won a cup.

He praised Daire Rowe in the team, with the striker adding 13 goals in just five matches to see his side across the line and claim the league trophy. 

Newtown - Donovan Sheridan, Michael Sweeney, Mark Dardis, Darren Clare, Eoghan Nelson, Roy White, Aaron Condron, Andrew White, James Farrelly, Paul Smith, Daire Rowe. Subs -  Darren Smith, Johnny Clare, Conor Dillon, James Carraher, Sean Weldon, Darragh Dunne, Ben Blakethorpe

Park Celtic Summerhill - Dean Morris, Daniel Connolly, Adam Larkin, John Duffy, Brian Rispin, Edin Gaddren Michael Corrigan, John Farrell, Stephen Lynch, Kian Hussey, Conor Summerville. Sub - David Bagnall

Refereel - Noel Scott