Newcastle go to town with win over Grove

Newcastle go to town with win over Grove

5 February 2025

NEWCASTLE Town produced yet another clean sheet at Bear Park as they navigated a nervy afternoon at home to Grove United.

The match was nowhere near as comfortable as the 3-0 scoreline would suggest, with the home side netting twice in stoppage time.

Two red cards and a missed penalty added to the drama and it was Grove that were left to rue their wasted opportunities.

Newcastle elected to play with the breeze at their backs and it looked as though the decision had gone in their favour, with Kian Mulholland hitting the back of the net early doors.

However, the referee did not hesitate in raising his arm to signal offside, cutting the Newcastle celebrations short.

Town settled into the game and received a boost when Grove defender Dale Hoy was dismissed for a clumsy, last man challenge.

Mulholland stepped up to take the resulting free kick, whipping the ball towards the top corner and forcing goalkeeper Nathan Stranaghan to tip over the crossbar.

Newcastle were dominating proceedings, but were unable to break down a resolute Grove defence and found their chances limited.

They were unable to take advantage of any chances that did fall their way, with James Savage firing over the bar from distance and Leigh Moore seeing his shot easily caught.

However, Town finally made their breakthrough in the 42nd minute, when Shea Baker slipped his man and placed his shot beyond Stranaghan.

Grove responded positively and, after a flowing move, Adam Richmond found himself one-on-one with Newcastle ‘keeper Pearce McCarthy.

The game would have been level, was it not for McCarthy getting down low and using his feet to prevent the striker from scoring.

The visitors almost equalised on the cusp of half-time, but McCarthy produced another excellent save to deny David Long. 

Newcastle knew that their one-goal advantage would be severely tested by the Belfast side, who were beginning to play their way into the contest, despite only having 10 men on the pitch.

The home side defended well in the opening stages of the second half, keeping danger men Long and Richmond at arm’s length.

They began to settle into the second period and were unlucky not to double their lead when Moore’s effort was stopped by an unlikely save from Stranaghan.

Grove found chances of their own after the hour mark and again, McCarthy proved to be a one-man brick wall.

Baker and Mulholland both thought they had netted the second goal in the 66th minute, only for Stranaghan to make an astonishing double save.

Newcastle’s Negus Williams-McCabe was growing into the game and was linking well with the frontmen.

His pass was aimed towards Mulholland, but caught the wind and ended up bouncing off the bar.

Baker forced another good save from Stranaghan and when Grove flew up the other end,

Long’s powerful effort drifted just over the Newcastle goal.

Town were looking to run the clock down and keep a hold of their 1-0 lead, but their plan was scuppered when Cathal Keaveney was dispossessed by Long and brought the striker down in the box.

The defender was dismissed and, with a penalty was awarded to the visitors, Jamie McTaggart stepped up to try his hand at beating McCarthy.

However, the big ‘keeper was determined to ensure his clean sheet remains intact and produced a heroic save to protect his team’s lead.

Grove’s Andrew Simpson almost equalised in the 89th minute, but saw his shot cannon off the Newcastle post.

With the game seemingly in the balance, Town broke quickly and Marty McCourt put the ball on a late for Moore, who raced in behind the defence, rounded the ‘keeper and tapped home.

Grove were deflated and Baker took full advantage, running from the half-way line and firing past a helpless Stranaghan to wrap up a less than comfortable 3-0 win.

The best performers for Newcastle were two-goal man Shea Baker and ‘keeper Pearce McCarthy, who made several important saves when he needed to.

Match Sponsor: Quinns Bar, Newcastle.