Athletic advance in Craig Memorial Cup

Craig Memorial Cup

Newbuildings United....0

Strabane Athletic....3

THE Craig Memorial Cup was founded in 1980. It was won on two occasions,1988 and 2008 by Strabane FC.

Since formation in 2010 Strabane Athletic have competed regularly in the competition and lost the final on penalties to Portstewart in 2022.

Strabane’s first game of this year’s campaign saw them make the short trip to play Newbuildings United.

Playing with a strong breeze at their backs, Athletic were quickly into their stride and earned a couple of early corner kicks. The second of these caused havoc in the Newbuildings penalty area and after two efforts were blocked, Aaron McCready converted from close range to give Strabane an eighth minute lead.

The momentum stayed with the visitors and in the 18th minute winger Rafferty Mackay almost doubled the lead but watched his superbly struck free kick rebound off the crossbar.

The villagers first foray into the opposing penalty area saw a free kick headed across goal.

Mackay was involved in a lot of Athletic’s attacking moves and around the half hour mark he had a snapshot saved and seen another effort clear the cross bar.

The last 15 minutes of the half saw a much more proactive Newbuildings side and a high press kept the Strabane defence on their toes.

Their pursuit of an equaliser earned a few free kicks within scoring range but the new look Athletic defence of Dan Doran, Aaron McCready, Kevin Jordan and Garth Falconer stood firm and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Eight minutes into the second period, Sean McCallion produced a bit of wizardry on the left wing and then supplied a perfect low cross for centre forward Oisin Duffy to convert.

Newbuildings responded by forcing a corner but nobody was able to take advantage of an excellent delivery.

After another fine run McCallion found substitute Gary Merritt but his attempt was a bit too high. Strabane sealed the deal around the 70th minute with a tremendous team goal.

Mackay’s inch perfect pass fell into the path of Dan Doran marauding up the right wing. His precise low cross found McCallion who finished clinically at the far post.

It was now a bridge too far for Newbuildings but they competed resolutely to the end and Dylan McCorkell’s free forced a tip over save from Athletic keeper Shane O’Gara.

Gary Merritt went close to another goal for the Blue and Whites but it ended with them deservedly advancing to the next round.

A second cup victory ended a satisfying week for Raymond Foy and his squad. Newbuildings were competitive opponents especially in midfield but solidity in defence coupled with pace on the flanks and clinical finishing meant the visitors ultimately prevailed.

The three matches played this week showed the depth in the Strabane squad with many players turning in impressive performances.

They will all be needed as the fixture list is looking increasingly busy for the local team.

Afterwards Strabane Athletic thanked “our loyal band of travelling supporters.”

Saturday sees them back at Melvin for an Irish Cup tie against Newmills which kicks off at the earlier time of 1.30pm.

Strabane Athletic: Shane O’Gara; Daniel Doran; Aaron McCready; Kevin Jordan; Garth Fakconer; Blaine Burns (Capt.); Bradley Callaghan; Dylan Woods; Rafferty NcKay; Oisin Duffy; Sean McCallion.

Subs: Ryan Galvin (GK); Aaron O’Hagan; Gary Merritt; Ryan Devine; Lee Toland; Adam Duffy; Adam Murphy.