By Samuel Topping
In-form, and 2nd placed, Newry City were the visitors at sunny Fortwilliam Park last Saturday and the home side were understandably a little apprehensive about the game taking their own form into consideration and the result the last time the two teams met.
Their cause wasn't helped when, with only 3 minutes gone, the referee awarded Newry a very soft penalty which James Walker expertly dispatched, and when John Boyle headed home unchallenged from a corner kick on 30 minutes it looked like another mauling was on the cards but whilst Newry dominated the remainder of the first half they couldn't add to their tally.
Tobermore were a much better side in the second half and deservedly pulled one back on 50 minutes when Nicky Hudson rose highest to head home Ryan Winton's corner.
Newry now had a game on their hands as Tobermore went all out looking for a second and only for some desperate defending and some great saves from Kieran Gordon they would have at least pulled level with Winton and Gary Keane both going close.
However, Newry are in second place because they are a good side and they dug deep, weathered the storm and indeed could have added another near the end but for some good saves from Matty McGraw.
The score at full time Newry City 2, Tobermore 1.