Disappointing Waterside men sink at Showgrounds

Ballymena United…......................(3) 3

Surgenor (8); Colligan (30); A. Smith (44)

Institute…......................................(0) 0

ON this display Institute will be playing Championship football next season.

The Waterside men, who on too many occasions this season were second best throughout and conceded poor goals, did so again, this time at Ballymena United, on Saturday.

United broke the deadlock after just eight minutes when Aidan Watson’s pass found Michael Smith: his centre should have been turned home by Darren Lockhart, but fortunately for the ex-Glentoran midfielder Mark Surgenor saved his blushes by turning home the loose ball.

John Gregg’s side, who are now five points behind fellow strugglers Lisburn Distillery and Newry City, were lethargic in the opening quarter and their only effort at goal came on 20 minutes when, after getting away from Aaron Stewart, winger saw Ryan Semple saw his left footed shot easily gathered by Dwayne Nelson.

Soon after Surgenor missed a super chance to add his second goal of the game when he failed to trouble Gavin Cullen, with his half-volley flashing just wide.

The Braidmen did double their advantage on the half-hour mark when substitute Chris Ramsey cleverly cut the ball back to Michael Smith. But his drive was only parried away by Cullen and the alert Lee Colligan was on hand to turn home the loose ball, despite Paddy McLaughlin’s best efforts to clear the danger.

’Stute should really have pulled one back on 43 minutes when Paul Lowry’s flick was superbly controlled in the box by Ruairi McClean but with the goal at his mercy the former Ballymena man’s shot hit the side-netting.

That missed chance came back to haunt the Waterside men as the game was effectively ended as a contest, when Roy Walker’s out-fit scored a third goal, just before the break.

Albert Watson’s long ball down field caused problems for Graham Crown, firstly the youngster let the ball bounce and then his back header to Cullen fell well short and the quick thinking Andy Smith gleefully nipped in to easily score.

A Shaun Holmes free-kick on 66 minutes picked out Declan Divin at the back post but his goalbound header was easily kept out by Nelson.

Minutes later Watson was caught in possession by Lowry, but the striker’s touch let him down and the alert Nelson raced off his line to save at his feet.

Neither side really created much after that Lowry chance, apart from Colligan firing wide and David Cushley saw his low drive saved by Cullen.

Ballymena United: Nelson, M. Smith, Stewart, Haveron, Albert Watson, Aidan Watson, Colligan, Taggart, A. Smith, Surgenor, Lockhart. Subs: Ramsey for Lockhart (24); J McLaughlin for Haveron (46); Cushley for A Smith (58); Anderson & O’Neill (not used).

Institute: Cullen, Crown, Seydak, P McLaughlin Holmes; Semple McClean, Boyle, Friars; Lowry, Divin. Subs: McCready for Friars (51); McClements for Semple (71); Wray, Blackburn & Ryan (not used).

Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast).