Derby wins for Sion and Strabane in North West Junior League

North West Junior League (NWJL) - Premier Division

Newbuildings United Reserves...3

Strabane Athletic Reserves....4

STRABANE Athletic Reserves scored a dramatic late winner to return to winning ways in Saturday's derby encounter.

Fionn Faherty’s composed 90th-minute finish secured all three points after a thrilling seven-goal encounter away to Newbuildings United Reserves at Duncastle Road.

The visitors dominated possession throughout the first half, creating chance after chance as they looked to take control of the game.

The breakthrough finally arrived when John Deeney rose highest to power home a superb header from a brilliantly delivered Tristan McCauley corner kick.

Strabane were unable to build on their advantage and Newbuildings struck back with an equaliser scored by Kyle Riddles.

The hosts almost took the lead just before the half-time break when Trent McKeegan was slipped through on goal, only to see his effort go over the crossbar.

The second half developed into a scrappy affair, but Strabane showed their quality in front of goal as Deeney continued his outstanding afternoon.

The striker reacted quickest to finish from close range to give his side a slender lead.

Jack McKinght pounced on a loose ball after Strabane failed to clear a free-kick to level the scores once again at 2-2.

Newbuilding had their chances to take the lead, but Deeney completed his hat-trick converting from the spot, after the referee adjudged a handball.

Newbuildings refused to give in, though, battling back late on to bring the score to 3–3 when Steven Wallace powered home a brilliant header five minutes from time and set up a nervy finish.

With the game seemingly heading towards a draw, Faherty stepped up in the 90th minute, keeping his composure to calmly slot the ball past the Newbuildings goalkeeper.

A spokesperson for Athletic reflected on the result: "Fionn Faherty then stood up in the 90th minute and calmly slotted one past the Newbuildings keeper.

"Plenty of fight and desire showed today from the lads and a vital three points. 

"Thanks to Newbuildings for the hospitality after the game and good luck to them for the rest of the season."

Athletic will host leaders Carrowreagh Celtic at Melvin 3G on Saturday.

The visitors have played one game less than Strabane and sit three points ahead on 13 points

NWJL - Division One

Sion Swifts....7

Donemana....2

SION Swifts produced a superb attacking display at the Melvin Arena on Saturday afternoon, storming to an emphatic 7–2 victory over north Tyrone rivals, Donemana, in a memorable derby encounter.

The result means Swifts now sit second in the league on ten points, three adrift of current leaders Tullyally Colts, and with one game in hand.

The hosts turned on the style and found the net seven times in a dominant performance.

Leading the charge was Mark Roarty, who continued his impressive goalscoring form by bagging a sparkling hat-trick.

Even more impressively, all three goals came from open play.

Roarty was joined on the scoresheet by Robbie Conway, Davy Conway, Ciaran Slevin and Adam Coyle, with all four players contributing a goal apiece to cap off an excellent team performance.

Despite Donemana finding the net twice, the Swifts proved too strong on the day, delivering a result that will give the squad plenty of confidence moving forward.

A Swifts spokesperson said: "A brilliant team performance from the Sion lads. Well done to everyone involved.

"Thanks to our main sponsors McGillion Motors for their continued support."

Swifts are on the road this weekend when they travel to face their title challengers at Tullyally pitch, with a win seeing the Swifts go joint top.

For Donemana, it was a fourth defeat in five league games and they sit second from bottom on three points.

They host Don Boscos at Donemana Playing Fields on Saturday afternoon.

Elsewhere, in Division Two, Artigarvan were comprehensively defeated at home.

League leaders, Roe Valley, were the visitors to Art Road on Saturday afternoon, boosting their title credentials netting seven without reply.

Artigarvan will be hoping to bounce back when they travel to take on fourth-placed Culmore.