Newtownbutler 5-14 Belcoo 2-12

Newtownbutler marked the opening of their new pitch in impressive fashion as they put Belcoo to the sword, running out 11 point winners last Friday boosting their prospects of promotion while more or less ending Belcoo’s chances.

Conor Courtney and Diarmaid King were to the fore in a high-scoring contest, with Courtney finding the net three times over the 60 minutes.

Three goals in the opening 30 minutes put Newtown in firm control as they went in at the break six points up, and when they stretched that to nine, early in the second half there was only going to be one winner.

Looking back at the game, Newtown boss, Darren Chapman, was pleased to get the win but feels there is more to improve on for his side.

“Having watched the video of the game again it was a patchy performance at tine and to be honest Belcoo we’re well below their usual level.

“After the disappointment of blowing two league points in injury time against Irvinestown it was nice to get back to winning ways at the opening of our new pitch.

“Like every game we’ve played this year we will build and the positives and work on the stuff that requires extra attention.

“We still have work to do to get to the levels of performance we are looking for as a group going into the championship.”

King opened the scoring for Newtown from a free before Cillian Murray and Lawrence McKeown put Belcoo in front with two quick points.

After six minutes, Ryan Carson made it 0-02 to 0-02 with Newtown’s second point of the game but Ciarán Flaherty restored Belcoo’s lead shortly after.

King cut the lead to one once more as he drove in from the wing and fisted over and from the next attack, Newtown would go in front.

Courtney was heading for goal and although his shot was saved, a late challenge saw Karol Bradshaw award a penalty, which Courtney duly dispatched.

Belcoo had a shout of a penalty of their own when Josh Killilea was fouled and it looked close to being in the square but the referee deemed it outside and Conor McAloon pointed the free to make it 1-03 to 0-04 after 16 minutes.

McAloon hit a good score from the right before Flaherty levelled the game with his second point.

A King mark brought the side’s level once more and Courtney made it 1-05 to 0-06 to Newtown.

The final five minutes of the half were a bit of a goal fest, as three were scored in that time.

Gary Doherty did well to save a Courtney shot but Ger O’Keefe reacted quickest to hit the roof of the net.

And their third goal came straight after thanks to Sean Mullaney driving on a loose ball.

Murray gave Belcoo a way back into the game when he went straight for goal and made no mistake in finding the net.

But King hit the final score of the half to leave it 3-06 to 1-06 at the break.

The home side got off to a blistering start after the restart, hitting four points in the space of two minutes from James Connolly, Carson, Courtney and Mullaney.

Ethan Butler got Belcoo off the mark to make it 3-10 to 1-07.

Murray pointed a free for Belcoo but King responded with a free at the other end.

And from the next attack, Newtown won the kick out and Courtney finished soccer-style to the bottom corner, 4-11 to 1-08.

McKeown converted a mark before finding the bottom corner to make it 4-11 to 2-09 after 40 minutes.

Murray cut the Newtown lead to seven points and should have been down to four when Dean McDermott rattled the crossbar and the danger was eventually cleared.

Mullaney made it 4-12 to 2-10 with a point while Barry McGovern responded for Belcoo.

But the next score put any doubt about the result to bed as Courtney completed his hat-trick, 5-12 to 2-11.

And over the closing minutes McAloon would fire over from close range for Belcoo while Carson and King pointed for the winners.

Up next for Newtown are fellow promotion chasers Teemore, while Belcoo host Tempo.