Craig’s late winner sinks Albert Foundry and keeps Nortel top

Nortels Simon Craig scored the winner against Albert Foundry. Photo: Philip McCloy

NORTEL 3

Nortel stay top of the Premier Division, making it a magnificent seven straight wins in all competitions after defeating Albert Foundry 3-2 at Paisley Park on Saturday.

Paul Foy’s side set the tone after just five minutes when Andrew Simpson dispossessed a defender and slipped the ball to Darryl McAlinden who confidently found the top corner with a 20-yard finish.

Foundry, with the gale at their back, however, stormed back with Nortel stopper Matthew Whittley unable to keep out an inswinging corner.

The Shankill side went one better on 37 minutes when a fiercely-driven low cross was deflected into the net.

Nortel came out firing on all cylinders in the seconds session and the home keeper was fortunate to see yellow and not red, for using his hand in robbing Simpson outside the box.

The visitors were piling on the pressure and Simon Craig hoisted one over before while the Foundry metminder pulled off a fine save to foil Simpson.

Nortel bridged the gap on 80 minutes when Davy Freyne scored directly from a corner.

It looked as though Nortel would have to settle for a point, until right on the 90 when substitute Adam Irwin, set up nicely by Timmy Clarke, squared the ball for Craig to notch the last-gasp winner.

On Saturday it’s a home Clarence Cup tie for Nortel against Crumlin United.

Nortel: Whittley – Thompson (J Clarke), Doyle, Cardwell, Freyne – Conlin, A Anderson (Irwin), Herron, McAlinden (T Clarke) – Simpson, Craig.

Player in: Andrew Doyle, Defender, Ballyclare Comrades.