Gers back on track after victory against Distillery

Carrick Rangers in action against Lisburn Distillery at Inver Park. INLT 04-012-PSB

A Richard Gibson double, with a Conor McCloskey penalty sandwiched in between, put Gary Haveron’s men three up before Neil Alderdice headed a late consolation for the Whites.

The win moved Carrick up to third, re-igniting their promotion ambitions.

The first meaningful chance of the first-half came on 26 minutes when Gibson headed Ben Roy’s left-foot cross straight into the arms of young keeper Ryan McBride.

Just after the half-hour mark midfielder McCloskey, who put in an impressive shift in midfield, showed a clean pair of heels to Kris Pike when he broke down the left before forcing a good save from McBride who got down to make a low save to his left. The ball fell invitingly into the path of Jody Lynch but he contrived to blaze over close range.

Three minutes before the break, former Linfield man Damian Curran set up the predatory Gibson, who showing true striker’s instinct, got the ball out of his feet quickly to beat McBride at his near post.

Early in the second session Carrick captain Aaron Harmon, who scored when the two sides drew 1-1 before Christmas, rattled the foot of the post with a fierce left-foot drive.

Carrick doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 72 minutes when McCloskey, who referee Stephen Gregg adjudged to have been fouled by Alderdice, dusted himself down to fire the spot-kick past McBride.

The Gers continued to threaten and were rewarded in the 76th minute when Curran picked out Gibson whose bullet header hit the top corner before McBride could do anything about it. It was Gibson’s 15th goal of the season.

Distillery rallied late in the game but Alderice’s 80th-minute header from a Kris Pike cross was cold comfort for Tommy Kincaid’s men.

Carrick Rangers: Deane, West (Smyth 86), O’Kane, Donaghy, Lagan, Curran, Harmon, McCloskey, Roy (Arthur 85), Gibson, Lynch. Subs: Kelly, Taggart, Bell.

Distillery: McBride, Alderdice, Nixon, McConnell, Kingsberry, Doyle, Lyons, Pike, McConville, Morton, Wilson (Wright 45). Subs not used: Dalzell, Upton, Withers, Wilson.

Referee: Stephen Gregg (Ballyclare).