Lack lustre ’Stute win at home

Walsh (30)

Kilroot Rec...(0) 0

THIS game will certainly not last long in the memory for either Institute or Kilroot Rec supporters, as Davitt Walsh’s first half goal was enough for the home side to eventually overcome their junior opponents.

Neither side really created much, in fact ’Stute débutant keeper Marty Gallagher didn’t really have a single save to make throughout the 90 minutes.

With their bus breaking down on the way to Saturday’s Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup tie, that really just summed up Kilroot’s preparations.

The home side had a super chance early on when Sean Roddy’s centre found an unmarked Stephen Parkhouse, but the big striker fell at the crucial moment and the chance was gone.

Walsh then went close to breaking the deadlock but his effort was kept out by the visitors keeper Dean Higgins and soon after the net-minder easily denied Parkhouse, who again found himself time and space inside the box.

The Drumahoe men took the lead on 30 minutes when Roddy saw his drive from inside the box kept out by Higgins, but the alert Walsh was on hand and he made no mistake with the rebound, firing home.

The poor surface certainly wasn’t helping the home side’s usual passing style but they thought they had doubled their lead just before the interval.

This time Walsh’s inch perfect cross found Parkhouse and he gleefully headed home, but his celebrations were cut short by referee Cyril Hargan, after he disallowed the goal for offside.

On 52 minutes a teasing Dean Jarvis corner found the in-rushing Paddy McLaughlin, but the centre-back incredibly missed the ball when it looked easier to score.

Just after the hour mark youngster Jamie Glackin released Dean Carlyle but the winger’s centre was only cleared by the visitors straight to Declan McKeever on the edge of the box, but the left-winger failed to trouble Higgins and his shot whistled just wide.

The one note worthy chance the visitors had came after 76 minutes when Roddy stupidly gave away possession to Joel Lough but the substitute saw his 25 yard drive sail well over the bar.

Near the end Parkhouse was again inches away from finally scoring, this time his curling free-kick, which has Higgins struggling, hit the side netting.

Institute: Gallagher, Roddy, McLaughlin, Browne, Jarvis; Carlyle, Crown, Glackin, McKeever; Walsh, Parkhouse. Subs: Taylor for Jarvis (63); McEneff for Glackin (77); Smith, Kelly & Semple (not used).

Kilroot Rec: Higgins, Gibb, Piness, Sterling, Laney, Bravon, Garvey, Davis, Drumigan, Thompson, Matthews. Subs: Lough for Drumigan (50); McFettridge for Davis (57); Grant for Thompson (79); Anderson (not used).

Referee: Mr Cyril Hargan (Londonderry).