Newry City 1-1 Warrenpoint Town
By Sports Reporter Alex Keery
Newry City and Warrenpoint Town played out a tense 1-1 draw as the rivals met for the first time in a Premiership fixture.
James Walker had tucked away a second half penalty for Newry before Phillip Donnelly struck late to salvage a point.
It was the visitors who made the better start, much more assured in possession as they carved out a few early chances.
Inside the first 15 minutes, Robbie Norton twice fired over the bar, with Aaron O’Sullivan doing no better with an opportunity of his own.
Fra McCaffrey found himself one on one with the keeper in the 21st minute, but his effort was tame, straight at City keeper Andrew Coleman.
The home side were limited to Declan Carville’s ambitious effort from range on 26, before Stephen Hughes had a shot deflected over after a superb solo run with 36 minutes on the clock.
However, after 3 minutes of the second half, Mark McCabe was bundled over in the box and James Walker tucked away the penalty to give Newry the lead.
Captain Mark Hughes lashed a volley wide on the hour, and Dale Montgomery’s header flew past the wrong side side of the post after a corner in the 63rd minute.
Newry substitute Kevin McArdle then exchanged a few quick passes as he worked his way into the box on 69, but he couldn’t round off the best move of the night as he dragged his left-footed shot wide.
A minute later, Point went even closer when Ciaran O’Connor’s close range effort drew a scrambling save from Coleman.
Newry should perhaps have put the game beyond doubt with 74 played when Stephen Hughes’ goal-bound shot was diverted over the bar by McCaffrey’s perfect tackle.
The home side were forced into some desperate defending and will have been relieved to see Max Kougoun’s injury time header flash a foot wide of the post.
However, there was still time for Donnelly to flick home a header that tucked into the corner of the net and rescued a point for the visitors.