Never-Say-Die Newman Win Thrilling Final Friendly

<p>The final friendly of the season threw up a thriller as Newman returned to Mersey Road to face old rivals Alumni, a team promoted from Division 3 last season. After a quiet first half, where the only real notable action was Ross Tierney's 20-yard effort thundering off the crossbar, the game exploded into life immediately after the restart. Alumni, devoid of any attacking threat for the first 45 minutes, suddenly found their feet and fired in two quick goals. Against a solid and physical side, it looked certain to be an uphill task for Newman to get back into this one. But Sam Buckley, riled by an earlier bad challenge, harnessed his anger in the best way possible, burying two blistering free-kicks within the space of a few minutes. Alumni, still bouyant and carrying real threat with every attack, took the lead twice more, but were pegged back both times by another Lee Atkinson brace, the second of which was a stunning 25-yard strike which curled and dipped away from the helpless keeper. With only minutes remaining and both teams pushing for a winner, Shaun Williams lofted a testing ball into the Alumni box. A defender got his head on it, but only succeeded in lifting the ball over his own keeper and into the net. A great game, and one which sends Newman into the new season full of confidence.

<p>"Brilliant to see us having a never say die attitude lads." - Smithy