Newry City cemented their place at the top of Mid Ulster Intermediate B with a comprehensive victory over Broomhedge at a damp Showground’s on Saturday.

It took only six minutes for the home side to open the scoring. From the middle of the field Graeme Edgar released defender David Anderson in an advanced position wide on the left. Anderson slipped a pass inside to winger John Smyth who took the ball into the box before unleashing a fierce drive into the roof of the Broomhedge net to put Newry 1-0 up. Given the respective table positions and goal difference the home spectator’s could have been forgiven for expecting a rout after this early goal.

However this was not to be as for the next half hour the home players took turns at making and wasting good goal chances with at least a half dozen opportunities spurned. When the second goal did eventually come it was to be Anderson again as the instigator. Taking a short throw from keeper Peter Murphy, Anderson quickly spotted his opposite full back Niall Crilly in space on the opposite wing. Crilly took Andersons driven pass in his stride and made ground before crossing to Mark Lowry on the edge of the Broomhedge box. Lowry met the cross first time using the pace on the cross to side foot his shot to the corner of the net to make the half time score 2-0 for Newry.

Newry increased their advantage 10 minutes into the second half. Chris McMahon won the ball inside his own half before splitting the Broomhedge defence with an incisive pass which Mark Patton just reached in his race with the Broomhedge keeper Darren Addis. With the keeper now beaten and only a defender between him and the net Patton unselfishly passed the ball wide to Lowry who drove the ball first time into an empty net to put Newry 3-0 up.

Lowry completed his hat trick on 75 minutes when he was the first to react after Addis flapped at a Smyth free kick from the edge of the penalty area. When Addis could only knock Smyth’s shot down Lowry was quickly onto the loose ball which he slammed to the back of the net from inside the six yard box for his third and Newry’s fourth goal.

Although clear winners Newry struggled to find any rhythm in this game and although the management will be glad to win and secure another 3 points, thanks to the hat trick from Man of the Match Mark Lowry, they will be aware that there are sterner challenges to come starting with next Saturdays Intermediate Cup tie away to Coleraine Reserves. Newry City Travel Club bus will be departing from the Stonebridge at 10:30AM Sharp!! All are welcome.

Newry City AFC Team: Peter Murphy, Niall Crilly, David Anderson, Joel Annett, Conor McCaul, Jimmy Walker (McElroy), Graeme Edgar (Larkin), Chris McMahon, Neil Barr (Patton), Mark Lowry, John Smyth  Subs: Mark Patton, Shane Lundy, Lonnie Larkin, Paul McElroy.