McAuley and Northern Ireland Gain Draw in Poland
Saturday, 5th Sep 2009 22:51

Town defender Gareth McAuley put in a man of the match display as Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Poland in Chorzów in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday evening. The former Blues skipper, again at right-back for his national side, was winning his 18th full cap.

McAuley’s side came close to gaining a famous victory, defending Kyle Lafferty’s goal until the 79th minute when Mariusz Lewandowski equalised for the home side, who had spent the second period camped inside the Northern Irish half. Northern Ireland, however, are still in with a chance of World Cup qualification.

Elsewhere, Tamás Priskin was left out of the Hungarian 18 that lost 2-1 at home to Sweden.

Domestically, former Town winger Martin Brittain suffered a serious leg break when playing for Gateshead in a Blue Square Premier game against Hayes and Yeading, leading indirectly to the match being abandonment.

The game, which was 75 minutes old and stood at 0-0, was held up for half an hour while the ex-Newcastle man received treatment and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Hayes and Yeading manager Gary Haylock says it wasn't the lengthy injury break which caused the abandonment: "The referee made the decision to carry on the game and to be honest the Gateshead players refused to come out of the dressing room.

"They were understandably upset by their team-mate's injury but the game was not called off because of the serious injury, it was called off because the Gateshead players refused to come out of the dressing room.

"I would have a huge problem with doing this again because we're a part-time club. We've got players who are working, some players might not be able to make the game.

"To me there can be only one decision, that we're awarded the points, we win the game and move on."

Former Newcastle trainee Brittain made one sub appearance for the Town first team during the 2006/07 season, leaving the Blues after a year, having spent time on loan at Yeovil. Subsequently, he has played with Carlisle, Walsall and Kidderminster.

Photo: Action Images

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baker96 added 08:16 - Sep 7 "man of the match display ...." Amazing what a player can dowhen the "fans" at Portman Road are not getting on at them!
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nthstd added 08:23 - Sep 7 Topps - Loch Ness Marathon last year, about mile 5-7. Very Fresh! It's long before the 5 mile climb from sea level to 500 feet at Dures!(for the marathon spotters amongst you that starts at mile 17) Running the same race again in October for the Somebody's Daughter charity in Ipswich.
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Bluebell added 09:24 - Sep 7 I have always wondered why McAuley doesn't play RB for us. He always does well in that position. Perhaps Keane will should try him there.
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corshamblue added 09:33 - Sep 7

Jas0999,

Whilst an opinion is fine, the bulk of comments that a player is S*** offers little in way of intellect, and brings nothing of worth to the forum. Gareth, like the rest of the players have all individually contributed to the teams appalling start to the Season - I'm not sure I've seen a worse performance than the shift Trotter put in against PNE. However, I still gave my full support and encouragement.

Criticism without construction is just plain and simple abuse. That's my Opinion.