Derby day blues

Limavady United (1) 2

Close (25); McConaghie (58)

THIS certainly wasn’t the way Institute wanted to end the calendar year.

Goals in each half by Ricky Close and Gareth McConaghie saw Limavady United secure their first victory over their North West rivals this season, in what was a disappointing affair at a wind and rain swept Riverside Stadium, on Saturday.

A teasing pass by Declan McKeever on 11 minutes released Mark Kelly, but the big striker’s left footed shot from a tight angle, whistled just over the bar.

On 17 minutes some good play by Ryan Doherty saw his centre find Ricky Close, but his side footed effort from just inside the box was blocked by Aaron McEneff.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when Gareth McConaghie’s super free-kick found Ricky Close and the midfielder made no mistake powerfully heading home from 10 yards.

Just after the half-hour mark another slick move by the home side ended with Stephen Parkhouse’s attempted chip from just inside the area, but it was easily gathered by Laurence McCormack.

Right on the stroke of half-time Institute had a super chance to level things when firstly a tremendous last ditch tackle by McConaghie denied McEneff and McKeever’s follow-up shot was easily saved by McCormack.

On 48 minutes a Graham Crown pass down the wing, which looked like the ball had gone out of play, but the referee’s assistant didn’t flag and Kelly’s centre found an unmarked Parkhouse, but his sliding shot, failed to trouble McCormick and flashed wide.

Moments later a Ryan Doherty corner from the left found an unmarked Lee Patrick, but the skipper’s header skipped off the wet surface and sailed just wide.

On 58 minutes ’Stute were rightfully reduced to ten men when Neil Harkin kept out Close’s header with his hand, leaving referee Stephen Wallace with no option to firstly award the penalty and then show a red card to the midfielder. McConaghie made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick blasted home.

In the closing stages the Waterside men huffed and puffed they never really threatened to get back into the game as the Roesiders ran out comfortable victors.

Institute: Wilson, Crown, McLaughlin, Browne, Jarvis; Carlyle, McEneff, Harkin, McKeever; Parkhouse, Kelly. Subs: Walsh for Kelly (55); Glackin for Browne (80); Hegarty, Taylor, Friars.

Limavady United: McCormick, Walsh, Rodden, McConaghie, Roddy, Patrick, Parkhill, Close, McLaughlin, D Logue, Doherty. Subs: Harkin for Parkhill (55); Lynch for Logue (65); Moore for Close (78); C Logue (not used).

Referee: Mr Stephen Wallace (Londonderry).

Cautioned: Moore (90).

Sent-off: Harkin (57).