Debut brace for Kelly

Institute...(0) 3

Kelly (51 & 55); Smith (69)

NEW signing Mark Kelly stole the headlines as Institute secured only their second victory of the year, at in-form Larne, on Saturday.

The striker helped himself to a second half brace and although he’ll grab all the spot-light, fellow new recruit Joe Gray, produced a man of the match display, at the heart of the defence.

Gray’s experience showed through to help the young ‘Stute back-line secure only their third clean-sheet of the season.

Kelly nearly netted after three minutes, in fact he had strong claims for a penalty, when his close range header after a goalmouth scramble, was blocked on the line by Robbie White’s hand, but referee Ian Hall waved away the visitor’s protests.

The Waterside men continued to press forward for the opener and they went close on 11 minutes when Conor Lynch’s cross found Joe McCready but his spectacular volley on the turn from the left hand side of the box, flashed just over David Henry’s bar.

A Ryan Semple corner moments later was headed goalwards by McCready, but his striking partner Kelly saw his glancing header, from close range, whistle just over.

The best chance of the half fell to the home side in fact they would have taken the lead but for a tremendous instinctive save by Alan Ryan.

A clever knock down by Mark Craig fell perfectly for Davy Larmour, but the ex-Linfield man’s volley from virtually point-blank range was superbly kept out by the recalled Ryan.

Just before the break Semple’s knock down from Mark Nicell’s initial centre, caused problems in the Larne box, but McCready’s tame header was easily saved by Henry.

McCready went close to breaking the deadlock on 49 minutes but his snap-shot from the edge of the box was saved by Henry.

That elusive goal did come for the Drumahoe men two minutes later when Nicell’s free-kick found an unmarked Kelly and he made no mistake heading home from close range.

They doubled their advantage on 55 minutes in somewhat controversial circumstances when Ruairi McClean’s shot from the edge of the box was turned home by the alert Kelly, who in fairness looked suspiciously offside, however the referee’s assistant didn’t raise his flag and the goal stood.

Substitute Gareth Smith capped a fantastic display by the visitors on 78 minutes when he instinctively headed home from close range after Semple’s right wing corner had picked him out.

Right at the death McClean’s pass released McCready, but after skipping away from Liam Garland his side footed effort, past an out-rushing Henry, trickled just wide.

Larne: Henry, Marsh, McBurney, White, Garland, McClean, Workman, Brown, Craig, Larmour, Reid. Subs: Thompson & Melly for Craig & McClean (60); Yilmaz for Workman (72); Higgins, Thompson & McNally (not used).

Institute: Ryan, Crown, Gray, Browne, Taylor; Semple, McClean, Lynch, Nicell; Kelly, McCready. Subs: Smith for Kelly (63); Clarke for Nicell (88); Curry, McShane & Moane (not used).

Referee: Mr Iain Hall (Newtownards).

Cautioned: B McClean (10); Taylor (85).