Curry’s too hot for Whites

Despite a valiant effort, the long journey to Institute was to provide yet another pointless return for Lisburn Distillery as they went down 2-1 to the new league-leaders at Drumahoe, Stephen Curry netting the winner.

Before kick-off, Whites fans would have doubtless been encouraged to see manager Tommy Kincaid return to the dugout who was returning there in a non-participating role. It was clear during the game, though, that it was impossible for him not to participate, such is the passion of the man.

After a tight early opening, it was the hosts who took the lead on 19 minutes albeit from a goal which the Whites hotly disputed. A long clearance into their half seemed set to be cleared back up field but as Alderdice moved to do so, he went to ground and the visitors appealed for a foul. The referee, however, opted to play on allowing McFadden in acres of space to place a simple pass into the feet of McCrudden who simply tapped home from six yards out.

The Distillery players and management were incensed by the decision but the referee was not for changing his mind and the Whites were trailing.

To their credit, Distillery refused to lie down and levelled the game on 25 minutes when a Kris Pike free-kick from outside the penalty box completely deceived home keeper Michael Doherty, who flapped badly allowing the ball to find its way into the top corner.

It was game back on and the Whites had a glorious chance to go into the interval with the lead when Stephen Doyle found himself in acres of space with only the home keeper to bea. However, he was unable to take advantage, his placed shot going narrowly wide of the goal as the hosts breathed a sigh of relief.

Just five minutes after the break, the Whites had another great chance to go into the lead, Doyle beat his man on the by-line and sent in a near post cross but McConnell stooped and headed wide from six yards out.

On 57 minutes, Stute’s Darren McFadden went clear and as keeper Ryan McBride came out, McFadden lobbed him but his effort went wide of the post.

Both sides continued to graft but it was Institute who grabbed the winner on 66 minutes. The Whites’ back-line were caught square and Stute substitute Stephen Curry headed the cross home at the back post from a handful of yards out.

Institute had another good chance eight minutes from time when Stephen Parkhouse rose above the Whites’ defence but his header dropped the wrong side of the bar.

DISTILLERY: McBride, Alderdice, Nixon, Kingsberry, Pike, McConville, Upton, Morton, O’Connor, McConnell, Doyle.

Subs: Wright, Withers, Wilson.