PENALTIES - both missed and scored - were decisive as Newry City grabbed their first points since returning to the Premiership following last night’s 2-1 win over Dungannon Swifts at the Showgrounds.
It was the Tyrone side that started the sharper and they were handed a golden opportunity to grab their first goal of the season when former Newry striker Daniel Hughes was fouled inside the penalty area. The same player stepped up to take the spot-kick but was denied by former Swift Andy Coleman who dived well to his right to keep him out.
Alan Teggart continued to cause problems for the hosts but the sides couldn’t be separated at the break.
While Daniel Hughes wasn’t able to convert his first-half penalty, his brother Stephen made no mistake when presented with two opportunities in the second half.
The player had been denied by Alex Moore minutes earlier, but he did beat him with penalties in the 68th and 72nd minute, the first of those rolled into the corner that his brother had aimed for earlier in the game.
Dungannon pulled one back through Jarlath O’Rourke in the 89th minute but they were unable to prevent the home side from taking all three points.
Linfield, meanwhile, made it two wins from two following a routine 3-0 win over Institute at Windsor Park.
Andy Waterworth swivelled brilliantly to put them ahead in the 31st minute and David Healy’s side added another two after the interval.
Chris Casement grabbed the first of those after a nice team move in the 58th minute and Joel Cooper headed home the third eight minutes later.