Blues exit cup in contentious fashion

NEWTOWNE 2

Magherafelt Sky Blues exited the McReynolds Cup at the semi final stage following defeat to Newtowne in a game where the main talking point was the referee.

The Blues got off to an awful start and found themselves 1-0 down after 15 seconds as a hoofed clearance found the Newtowne striker behind the home defence and he slotted to the net.

Spurred on by O’Neill, the Blues began to take control of the game and Lawn missed a great chance. Murray then shot tamely at the keeper, Close was off target and Pulko had a goal disallowed for offside.

Newtowne came close to extending their lead after 25 minutes but were off target before the major talking point of the game occurred. As Pulko raced onto a through ball the Newtowne keeper came sliding out with a two footed studs showing challenge which caught Pulko. The loose ball fell to Lawn who headed towards goal with the Newtowne keeper on the ground 30 yards from goal. With a three-on-three situation Lawn drove into the area, drew a defender then passed to Close who was then blown up for offside even though there was another two Newtowne players between him and the goals.

The Blues players remonstrated with the ref and O’Neill was shown a yellow card which was followed two seconds later by a second yellow. Due to the commotion surrounding the offside decision and O’Neill’s sending off the Newtowne keeper went unpunished for his dangerous tackle on Pulko. With the Blues down to 10 men the game became an even affair with play mainly confined to a midfield battle for the rest of the half.