Orangefield v Newcastle - League

Gibson Park

Orangefield return to the league programme to-day with 3 points essential, after two straight cup defeats. Three changes

from last saturday Sam McNaul Returns from holiday and slips into the back four, Dempster partners Harvey up front for the unavailable O'Neill and Young William Richie starts on the left as Tony Craig is carrying an injury and is on the bench.

Orangefield start downhill on the attack with Reynolds giving good width on the right, gets a good ball in for Harvey to go close with a good effort. The home team reverting back to 4-4-2 with Sam McNaul in the heart of defence, Quinn holding in central midfield along with the energy of Dean Cousins. Also Brian Reynolds back on the right flank and Richie on the left Orangefield start with an assurance and vigour that i haven't seen for while. No surprises from the visitors as they start with their usual robust manner and commit a foul on Sam McNaul who suffers a dead leg. After some treatment McNaul is able to continue. Newcastle are unable to keep possession as Orangefield dominate midfield in the opening 15 mins. Quinn picks up possesson in his own half, spots Reynolds deep on the right wing and delivers a cross field ball to which Reynolds takes in his stride and whips in a first time ball to Harvey who works the keeper well. Great play from the home team. Orangefield press again with some brilliant approach play from Richie who knocks the ball into the box for Dempster, again in the right place at the right time to thunder in the opening goal on 20 mins 1-0.

Orangefield's lead is short lived as Newcastle midfielder spots Darlington a yard of his line and strikes one from twenty yards into the top corner on 25mins 1-1. Newcastle now with tails up are in the game more and putting pressure on the back four, but solid performances from Wilson, D'Arcy Young Ryan McNaul at full back playing beside older bro Sam are coping well and holding a good defencive line. Quinn on the ball again combines well with Richie who picks out Dempster, the keeper saves from point blank range but only parrys to the feet of Cousins to slot in the 2nd on 35mins 2-1. Orangefield finish the half with some good combination play all round the park and buzzing with confidence.

Half-time: 2-1

Newcastle come out strong for the 2nd half playing downhill and are level within 5mins with a stunning long range strike into

the top corner. Young Darlington unlucky to be beaten from long range for the third time in two weeks, not sure if he was unsighted on this occasion. Home team have to regroup again with Quinn in great form winning tackles and picking passes, helped by the energy and disire of Dean Cousins working box to box. Young Richie having a smashing game on the left picking out the running of Chris Harvey up front with some excellent passes, showing great vision and maturity for his years. On 60mins Richie chips a ball into Harvey who turns the defender and shoots into the bottom corner a well worked goal 3-2. Great to see Harvey on the score sheet after a lean spell by his own standards. Orangefield continue to push forward with good spells of possession trying to kill the game of, Newcastle

try to break up play in their usual physical style with some heavy challanges. But on 75mins Orangefield put the game to bed when the ball falls to Quinn after good approach play from Richie, Quinn strikes from 20yrds into the bottom corner to make it 4-2 a well deserved goal to cap off a great game. A change on 80mins Cunningham on for Reynolds who prouduced some great runs down the right was suffering slightly after an earlier head injury. With five mins remaining Richie picks up the ball just outside the area and lets rip with a fantastic drive passed the diving keeper a great goal in his first full game for the senior team, 5-2  85mins. Orangefield see out the last five mins comfortably for a convincing home win. A great team performance all round, quality on the ball  tight in defence good movement, and smart finishing up front with tireless work in midfield.

Full-time: 5-2  

MOM: Glenn Quinn..... closely followed by William Richie

Team: Darlington, McNaul R, D'Arcy (capt), McNaul S, Wilson, Reynolds, Quinn, Cousins

            Richie, Dempster, Harvey  Subs: Craig, Dornan, Cunningham

PS.. Big thanks to Michael McVeigh and Gary Forbes who kindly put away the nets and dugouts themselves, this is a

thankless task and an area where the club needs more commitee members available to help out at home games.