NEWRY WIN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH
Newry City moved six points clear at the top of the Lough 41 Championship with a crucial defeat of second placed Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park.
The first half ended scoreless, and was a largely disjointed affair throughout although both sides had their chances with Dean Curry heading over from a corner just after the half-hour mark while, moments from the break, Daniel Hughes clipped a free-kick from the edge of the area into Rory Brown's arms.
However, the game livened up considering after the interval.
Newry almost moved in front early on when James Teelan's cross from the left was volleyed just wide by John McGovern while, for the Mallards, Curry was unlucky to head a Duwayne McManus cross off the bar.
The home side struck the woodwork again soon after direct from a BJ Banda corner but the deadlock was eventually broken on 71 minutes when a Hughes free-kick found it's way through a crowded box into the net.
The visitors then doubled their advantage soon after when Northern Ireland Under-21 international McGovern directed a header past Brown.
Harry McConkey's side might have snatched a late consolation when Banda found himself through on goal but City keeper Steven Maguire reacted quickly to come off his line to smother the ball.
Ballinamallard United: Brown, Morris, McLaughlin, Curry, McManus, Banda, McIlwaine, Kelly, Edgar, Morrow, McEvoy subs Ray (not used), Moorehead (replaced Morrow 80), Warnock (not used), McKinley (replaced McManus 76), Palmer (not used), Henderson (not used), Warrington (replaced Edgar 64)
Newry City: Maguire, N. Healy, McGivern, Boyle, Hughes, Teelan, McGovern, Moan, Donnelly, Forde, Montgomery subs Magill (not used), Brennan (replaced McGivern 12), Carville (replaced Hughes 80), Lockhart (replaced Forde 80), B. Healy (not used), Smyth (replaed Donnelly 85)
Substitution 
Substitution 
