Larne take win at Whites

However, David McAlinden’s Larne would have gone into the game optimistic given that the corresponding fixture at Inver Park had ended in a 1-0 victory for the Inver Reds, the goal coming from Paul Maguire on that occasion.

Before the game Distillery fans will no doubt have been buoyed by the return of manager Tommy Kincaid who, albeit not being involved in a full capacity, was back watching his side from the viewing lounge.

On six minutes the first chance of the game came when Chris Kingsbury’s fine piece of skill saw him win a corner, the resulting set piece seeing the ball falling to Kris Pike his thumping effort well saved by the experienced Chris Keenan in the Larne Goal.

The Whites continued to press and on 20 minutes Stuart Thompson ran from his own half and powered his way into the danger area before unleashing a great strike that was brilliantly saved by Keenan in the Inver Reds goal.

Larne’s first effort came on half an hour as Jonathan McMurray tried an audacious chip but it sailed easily into the hands of McBride however this was soon followed by another chance as McMurray had an empty net in front of him only for superb defensive work by Pike seeing him get back in time to clear.

Larne were denied what looked to be a penalty shout on thirty two minutes as Jamie Mitchell’s corner looked to be handled in the box by a Distillery defender however, it wasn’t spotted by the referee so nothing was given.

Eventually the deadlock was broken by the home side right on the stroke of half time as a floated in free kick was flicked in by Neil Alderdice’s head, another goal for what has already been a goal laden season for the Whites central defender.

Larne had several good chances but respite for the home side was to be short lived as from a corner Larne equalised as Darren McNamee pounced to prod home.

Controversy surrounded the winning strike when a foul was committed on a Larne player and the official allowed play to continue which in turn saw the visitors having an effort on goal which went wide. However once the chance had gone wide the referee then opted to bring play back to the time of the foul awarding Larne a free kick and it was from this free kick that the winner arrived. Robbie White hammered a powerful free kick goal bound which was parried by McBride but Maguire was on hand to slot the ball home.