A stuttering first half left a shaky Albion 1-0 down away in Rathcoole to Newmarket. A chance of very few chances for the away side saw Newmarket take the lead when Darren Daly mistimed a clearance allowing their midfielder to cross the ball, their striker was on hand for a classy volley in to the bottom right giving Walshy no hope of saving. Newmarket looked a much better and composed side to the team Albion had beaten 4-2 on the opending day of the season in Ballinadee. They were full value for their lead as they looked to create more. It wasn’t until the 42nd minute when Albion looked dangerous.
Albions attacking continued in the second half and were back at 1-1 when James O’Driscoll took a pass into the right corner. Looking out of options, he cooly nutmegged the defender, dropped the shoulder passed another & struck from just inside the box at a very tight angle. The ball went past the keeper and in off the left hand post. Albion were soon again under pressure but defender well. Steve Dwyer made his outfield debut coming on on 57′. The game was going either way with both teams creating chances but unable to deliver on the final touch until on the 82nd minute when Rob Daly played the ball to John Duggan who in turn played a superb ball through to Tim Harrington who outran the defender and struck with his right into the bottom left for a fantastic strike and an all round brilliant team goal. Though Newmarket were still to have a say when the ball unluckily struck Declan Murrays hand with 3 minutes to go and the home side were awarded a penalty which they converted. Newmarket had one more chance but a combination of pressure and bravery from both Mike Walsh, Declan Murray & Steve Dwyer saw the game finish out at 2-2.
A game that could have gone either way, Albion must be happy with an away point with some regular first teamers on the missing list. Lost at times in the first half, the Courcey men dug deep and never gave up to clinch a vital point against a very good, very much improved Newmarket side.
Scorers: J O’Driscoll 39′, Tim Harrington 82′.
Team: Walsh, D Daly, J Daly, O’Connell, Murray, Hayes, R Daly, Ryan (Dwyer ’57), O’Driscoll, Harrington, Duggan.
Subs. McNamara, Twomey.