Newmains shock league leaders

Mar 17 2010 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

COUPONS were torn up all over Lanarkshire on Saturday as bottom-of-the-table Newmains shocked league leaders Yoker in their Central District Division Two clash.

In just their second competitive match of 2010, United brushed away the cobwebs to secure a precious win that sees them leapfrog Royal Albert on goal difference.

With Victoria Park out of commission, Newmains entertained Yoker at Tileworks Park, Stonehouse.

The Newmains teamsheet boasted new signing Clark Rafferty, who partnered Jason Lafferty up front, with Airth and McClymont in the wide areas.

Newmains boss Ian Rankin’s attacking formation was rewarded early when right-back Jody Thomson’s hefty diagonal punt found Jason Lafferty with a clear sight of goal.

The striker stayed calm to prod the ball home from eight yards.

United’s defence was upset with an injury to James Kean after he kicked one of his team-mates, forcing the central defender off to be replaced by Stephen Mackie.

Yoker then had a strong shout for a penalty dismissed by the referee, who infuriated the league leaders by booking their striker for simulation.

The man in black then controversially disallowed a Yoker equaliser for offside.

The home team then dealt a blow to any designs Yoker had of mounting a second-half comeback.

Lafferty found space in the box and a fine left-footed drive was too powerful for the goalkeeper to reach.

Soon afterwards, Paul Airth made it 3-0 to put the game to bed.

Yoker’s over-enthusiastic goalkeeper found himself in no man’s land as he rushed to halt Airth’s line break.

He managed to stop the first shot with his legs but the rebound went straight back to Airth, who slotted the ball into the net from 20 yards.

Newmains could have scored more as Yoker lost their shape trying in vain to get back into the match.

But the pitch lost its shape as well and any attempt to slow the game down and pass were thwarted by a rutted, softening surface.

With Yoker lacking an end product, the game petered out although Newmains were not complaining as they made it seven points from their last three games.

Newmains: Gerry McGinty, Jody Thomson, Gerry Bonham (captain), James Kean (sub: Steve Mackie), Thomas Devine, Paul Airth (sub: trialist), James Brophy, Jamie Halford, Garry McClymont, Jason Lafferty, Clark Raferty (sub: Gerry Gay). Unused sub: Brian O’Hare.