Colts fight back to win

Having trailed to a 20th minute strike the home side totally dominated large portions of the game but they had to wait until five minutes from time before they managed to clinch victory against a resolute Ballymoney defense.

Ryan Varma and Aaron Porter scored the crucial goals for the Drumahoe boys but the team created a number of good opportunities and would have felt hard done by had they not claimed all three points.

’Stute started the game on the front foot and all of the play had been concentrated in the visitors half until Ballymoney opened the scoring with their first attack of the night.

Varma lost possession in midfield and an early pass set Ballymoney on the offensive, keeper Mulcahy produced a fine save to keep out the initial shot but could do nothing as another Ballymoney player reacted quickly to turn the loose ball into the now unguarded net.

The home side almost hit back immediately when Jamie McIntyre embarked on a dazzling run from the half-way line before unleashing a fierce drive which was tipped over the crossbar.

Jack King created ’Stute’s next opportunity when he broke down the right and delivered a great cross which fell perfectly for Porter but the striker shot straight into the keepers arms.

Varma almost made amends for his earlier mistake when he forced an outstanding save in the 39th minute.

Niall Logue cut the ball back from the left wing to the midfielder as he arrived at the edge of the box but the visiting keeper somehow managed to smother the ball at the near post.

From the resulting corner Robby Brown headed over at the back post when he really should have done better.

The second half was one-way traffic as ’Stute continued to dominate possession and in 53 minutes McIntyre almost made the breakthrough following good work by Porter but his effort was blocked by a defender and the ball looped agonizingly onto the roof of the net.

The pressure finally paid off midway through the half and it was that man Varma who popped up at the edge of the box, latched on to McIntyre’s lay-off, and this time his powerful drive saw the ball nestle in the corner of the net.

Wave after wave of attack was met by a stubborn Ballymoney defense and it began to look like the visitors were going to hang on for a draw until Porter produced his late winner.

Shane Doran’s corner was met by defender Logue but his header was only cleared as far as Porter who’s right foot shot crept in off the upright to the delight of the Drumahoe lads.

Institute U19: Keelan Mulcahy, Marc Doherty, Shane Doran, Niall Logue, Robby Brown, Shay Duffy, Jack King, Ryan Varma, Aaron Porter, Jamie McIntyre, Jordan Armstrong. Subs: Jordan Greer, Ryan Callaghan, Pol Daly, Jackson Turner, Nick Kerr.