A late goal from substitute Emmanuel Ogunsikan gave the seniors an important 2-1 win over league leaders Templeogue United in the LSL Senior A1 division at Station Road on Friday night.
Newbridge had to deal with early pressure from an eager away side who adapted a high press approach from the get-go, making it difficult for the blues to establish themselves early on.
The pressure led to the opening opportunity for Templeogue. Joseph Murphy latched onto a loose pass, only to fire wide of Mark O’Connor’s post. The visitors missing an important opportunity to go ahead early.
NTFC had a golden chance to score against the run of play, thanks to brilliant linkup play in the final 3rd allowing Darragh Bolton through on goal. He made his way around the keeper but gave himself too tight of an angle, striking the post.
Templeogue had a chance from a tight angle themselves, when good play down the left-hand side helped create an opportunity for Murphy, but he made it too easy for Mark O’Connor in the Blues net.
Moses Alabi was alive down the right-hand side for Newbridge in the first half creating 2 half-chances before the break.
Newbridge came flying out of the changing room to start the second half, with early pressure leading to the games opening goal through league top scorer Bolton on the hour mark. He latched on to a great effort from Conan Kruger, thundering off the bar right into the path of the striker who had an easy finish to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Templeogue seemed lacklustre after conceding but came close from a free kick which hit the side netting.
Newbridge had to finish the game with 10-men, after Claudio Mohedano Beltran was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. In the closing stages, they dropped their back line but were split open by a good ball from the left-hand side to Cian Dunne, who finished excellently passed O’Connor to make it 1-1 after 92 minutes.
But NTFC showed grit and determination to craft a winner thanks to a well timed through ball from Bolton, sending Emmanuel Ogunsiakan through 1 on 1 with goalkeeper Sean Quinn, and the substitute made no mistake to the delight of the Newbridge supporters in the stands.
A 2nd win in a row for Newbridge, which helps them pull clear of St Paul’s Artane by 3 points, with a few games in hand behind 5th place St Kevin’s. Rush Athletic travel to Station Road next Friday, March 6th.
NTFC – O’Connor, Beltran, Odiashi, Duggan, Brown, McAuley (C), Alabi (70), Byrne (80), Bolton, Kruger, Brown.
Subs – Adams (GK), Ogunsikan (70), O’Carroll, Miley (80), Tyrrell, Ralph
Templeogue – Quinn, Donovan, O’Hare, Trofim, Dixon (C) (84), Costello (85), Ahmed (67), O’Donnell, Murphy, Dunne, Keane
Subs – McDonald (85), Ryan, Delaney (84), McElligott (67), O’Connor
Match Report – Tadhg Kelly
Photography credits – Liam Mullen