Reds Rout Rockville In Wirral Rumble

After a somewhat disappointing opening three league games, Newman’s season finally burst into life with a thumping victory over feisty Rockville in the LCFA Intermediate Cup.

Following the collapse of the old 1st team in the summer, this squad of players were making their debut in what is the toughest competition open to LOBAL teams. Rockville, currently playing in the Zingari I Combination, were supposed to offer a stiff test for the newcomers, but crumbled as Newman belatedly turned their obvious potential into reality on the Wirral.

Things didn’t start so well, with Shaun Williams conceding a harsh penalty early into the match, but unlike in recent games the ensuing one goal deficit didn’t prompt any Newman heads to drop. Instead, sleeves were rolled up and battle commenced. Unfortunately for Rockville, they took that word a little too literally, beginning with the hacking of Sam Buckley in the penalty area. After a minute or two of grapples and altercations between the two sides, Buckley dispatched the penalty and from there it was one-way traffic. Shaun Smith fired the Reds into a lead on the stroke of half-time following some persistent pressure from Lee Atkinson, then Kev Murtagh powerfully headed home a Tom Mullin corner just after the break. Atkinson and Buckley completed the rout with two delightful finishes, the latter a 25-yard belter into the bottom corner.

Newman were aided a little by the mindless antics of a few of the Rockville players, one of whom talked himself into a red card following Murtagh’s goal, but by then it was already 3-1. It was a performance that had been threatening to come, full of quality football, stout defending and fluid attacks. Man of the match goes to Buckley, not just for an imperious midfield display, but also for resisting the urge to administer a 'chokey' despite severe provocation.

Hopes are now high that the Reds can kick-on, build on this confidence boost and start burying their league rivals in the same manner.