Holmes rescues cup tie

THE only excuse Institute players had for this dreadful display against Championship side Ballymoney United was that they hadn't played in a number of weeks.

However it was the same for Joe McCall's side who because of the inclement weather conditions also hadn't played in a number of weeks and it will be those minnows who will feel that they were unlucky not to reach the next round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup.

In my opinion it's time for John Gregg's players to really show how much the club means to them, with striking duo Kevin Ramsey and Paul Brown in particular needing to raise their game as their manager continues to show faith in them by playing the duo week in, week out, despite their recent poor form.

After just five minutes the visitors showed that they were going to take the game to 'Stute, but Gary Keane's drive from 25 yards was easily gathered by Gavin Cullen.

Brown had a super long range effort himself in the 20th minute, which fizzed just over Ryan Martin's crossbar as the Drumahoe men tried to get themselves into the cup tie.

A defensive slip by Thomas Wray allowed Gareth McLaughlin to win possession in the 34th minute, but fortunately for the right-back, the striker's curling shot from the left hand edge of the box, was well saved by Cullen.

A minute later Ramsey missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when with the goal at his mercy he somehow failed to connect with Declan Divin's teasing left wing centre.

Five minutes into the second half and the visitors opened the scoring with a slick move.

Right-back Michael McQuitty played the ball down the line for young Mark Gillan, who calmly skipped past the out-rushing Cullen, before slotting the ball home from a near impossible angle.

That goal seemed to spark the home side into life and they went close to levelling things just after the hour mark but David Ogilby's drive from 12 yards was well gathered by Martin, as the ball bounced around the United area.

'Stute did level things in the 83rd minute in somewhat fortunate circumstances when Sean Friars' flick found Shaun Holmes inside the area and his shot into the ground bounced over the unfortunate Martin and into the net, much to the relief of the Drumahoe faithful.

Right at the death Holmes nearly won the tie but his free-kick from the edge of the box was tipped over by Martin.

Institute: Cullen, Wray, Ogilby, Seydak, Holmes; Semple, McClean, Friars, Divin; Brown, Ramsey. Subs: Crown for McClean (35); Blackburn for Semple (56); McCready for Ramsey (59); Deane & Ryan (not used).

Ballymoney United: Martin, McQuitty, Gage, Hill, Wilkinson; Gillan, Maybin, McKenna, McLaughlin; McCloskey, Keane. Subs: Boyle for McKenna (69); Scott for McQuitty (78); McGarry, Fleming & Smyth (not used).

Referee: Mr Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge).

Cautioned: Wray (74); Hill (80).