Lisburn came into the match with Newry City with confidence after their convincing win against Lower Maze last week. It was Lisburn who started the brighter, with the central midfield partnership of Adams and Crawford taking a firm grip of the match from the very start. Lisburn had the first chance of the game; an early cross from the impressive Beattie was controlled well by Dunlop, who laid the ball off to Adams to drive just over the bar. Lisburn took the lead early on after another good cross from Beattie set up Cullen to direct the ball into the far corner of the net, to give the keeper no chance.
Lisburn had a chance to double the lead when a good ball from Adams , sent Dunlop through on goal, but his low shot was saved well by the Newry goalkeeper. An unusual counter attack from Newry, resulted in a very harsh penalty awarded, after an accidental tangle of legs between Paterson and the centre forward the referee decided to point to the spot. The Newry City captain stepped up to strike the penalty well into the roof of the net. The goal totally against the run of play.
This gave Newry encouragement and less than five minutes later they scored with only their second shot of the game which was deflected to put them 2-1 up at half-time.
Lisburn started the second half as they did the first and it wasn't long before they got the equaliser. A brilliant cross-field ball from Adams found McNulty, who produced an inch perfect cross for Cullen to stroke home. Lisburn went 3-2 up midway through the second half when more good passing from the midfield allowed Cullen to snatch his hat-trick and eighth goal in just two matches!
Lisburn finished the scoring in style as Dunlop scored a fine individual goal. He collected the ball from inside his own half and beat five Newry players to fire into the bottom corner of the net. A goal that definitely could be judged as goal of the season, already. Lisburn kept the ball successfully in the last ten minutes to ensure that Newry didn't have a chance to have a rare second half attack.
The result in no way flattered Lisburn, who were dominant throughout with good passing and patience with the ball. They will look to take this good result against decent opposition into their league encounter with Shankill Youth next week.
