Cracking Display Gives Newman First League Win

<p>Cardinal Newman may have gotten off to a sluggish start this season, but after making it two wins in a row against a tough Kingsford team it seems that the corner has now been turned. The confidence gained from last week's 5-1 victory in the cup was clear to see here as the Reds put in a performance packed with quality attacking, backed up with resilient defending.

<p>Once again, Newman showed their fighting spirit after an horrific opening 15 minutes in which they lost midfielder Chris Magill in the first ten seconds to a nasty ankle injury, then went a goal down early on. That goal served only to spark the players into life though, and Kingsford were dominated for the remainder of the first half. The dominance paid off too, as first Tom Mullin smashed in an equaliser before Sam Buckley magically turned his marker and rifled home from 20 yards after Shaun Smith had flicked a header into his path. A third goal looked ominous, but despite more heavy pressure from the red men they went into the interval 2-1 up.

<p>After a few half-time rallying cries of 'let's win it for Chris', who was at this point in hospital being treated for an ankle fracture, Newman put on a brilliant display of game management during the next 45 minutes. Organised and disciplined, they only had to deal with a solitary Kingsford chance which drew a superb save from Paul Watters in goal. At the other end, a handful of opportunites to make it 3-1 came and went, man of the match Mullin coming closest with a 20 yard lob that went narrowly over the bar while a stranded keeper stood watching.

<p>The relief to finally get those first three points was palpable at the end. It was a cracking display, in more ways than one, and the target now will be to follow this up with a few more wins and make an assault on the top of the table.