Moore at the double as 18th Old Boys make it back-to-back wins

Eighteenth Newtownabbey Old Boys managed to string together two league wins in a row for the first time this season, climbing up to ninth place in 1C, following Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Shorts.
18th Newtownabbey's Neil Campbell challenges for possession in the 4-2 victory over Shorts. INNT 14-023-FP18th Newtownabbey's Neil Campbell challenges for possession in the 4-2 victory over Shorts. INNT 14-023-FP
18th Newtownabbey's Neil Campbell challenges for possession in the 4-2 victory over Shorts. INNT 14-023-FP

Shorts, somehow, ballooned the ball over a gaping net in the opening minute, before getting off the runway with a 15th-minute opener.

The Monkstown side responded on the half-hour, courtesy of a rare goal from right-back Gary Craig.

With the scores level at the halfway mark, it was 18th who inched ahead for the first time in the seocnd session when Ryan Beattie, back at his old haunt, slipped the ball through for the lively Aaron Knell to steer into the bottom corner of the net.

Ricky Moore gave the Old Boys a two-goal cushion, piloting a free-kick past the keeper for 18th’s third.

Shorts soon reduced the arrears only for Ricky Moore to restore 18th’s advantage.

Yet it wasn’t quite all ‘plain’ sailing for the home side as Shorts could have gone home with a point but for a fine one on one save from keeper Scott Hamilton and a goal-line clearance from Neil Campbell.

18th Newtownabbey OB: Hamilton – Craig, Cole (R Moore), Keable, McMahon – A Knell, Beattie (Elliott), Kelly, Campbell – Dunlop, Neill (Torrens).