Super sub Matthews scores hat-trick in Mountjoy win
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Mountjoy United’s Darryl Graham leaps high for a corner during their O’Neills NI Intermediate Leage game against New Buildings on Saturday. AN0537
Mountjoy United 3
Newbuildings 2
AFTER a two-week injury lay-off, Derek Matthews returned to action in some style on Saturday, scoring a second half hat-trick after coming off the bench for Mountjoy United during their thrilling 3-2 home win over Newbuildings in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League.
His arrival to the fray was the catalyst Mountjoy needed to turn possession and chances into goals.
Paddy Northern had the first chance for the hosts, before Newbuildings took an unlikely lead against the run of play after they were awarded a generous penalty kick after Danny Quick had been penalised for a shirt tug.
Having fallen behind United continued to press, but again could not find a route to goal. Andy Gibson shot wide, before Andrew McDonald's whipped 25-yard free kick was well saved by the visiting keeper.
In the second half, with the game following a similar pattern to the first, Mountjoy boss, Alan Nesbitt, made a change, bringing on Matthews for Daryll Graham. He deployed the striker in a free role behind the front two, and the move paid off almost immediately when Matthews slotted home a David Adams cross at the back post.
Having levelled matters, Mountjoy kept pressing, taking the lead for the first time when Matthews slotted the ball through the keeper's legs, after latching onto a Adams pass.
The hosts could have been further ahead a short time later, but both Northern and Andy Gibson were both denied by the Newbuildings custodian, while Mountjoy keeper, David Gilfillan, was forced to make two fine saves.
With five minutes to go, the visitors equalised following a goalmouth scramble after a corner. But, even with time running out, Mountjoy were not to be denied, and when Matthews completed his hat-trick from the spot in the second minute of injury-time after a foul on Atilla Bute, the points looked to be staying at the Lisnagirr Road.
However, Newbuildings were keen to get something from the game, and had it not been for Gilfillan's bravery, the keeper saving twice at the feet of visiting forwards during the remaining minutes of stoppage time, then Nesbitt's side could have been pegged back.
Mountjoy entertain NFC Kesh this Saturday in the league, kick-off 2pm.
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