Late comeback seals Whites’ draw

Lisburn Distillery 2 Institute 2
Sean Southam pictured after scoring for Distillery. US1333-544cdSean Southam pictured after scoring for Distillery. US1333-544cd
Sean Southam pictured after scoring for Distillery. US1333-544cd

Lisburn Distillery showed their fighting spirit as they fought back from two goals down to secure a point against Institute in an entertaining championship opener.

One of the early talking points of the game was the fact that the third official had not turned up for the game with the net outcome of that being that a temporary linesman called up from within the crowd, and with only powers to give throw ins, was employed to play the role.

Of course this was always going to lead to issues, and so it came to be when McCrudden gave the visitors the lead following some neat passing movement on 42 minutes.

The home side and management were incensed as they were convinced that the goal had been offside, but despite the protestations the referee allowed the goal to stand.Institute’s lead was doubled on 52 minutes when Robbie Hume hammered the ball home following a good cross into the box and at that stage it looked like the Whites would start their championship campaign with a defeat.

However, to their credit the Whites refused to lie down and when debutant Southam scored following a mix up in the Institute defence on 77 minutes it was very much game on.

The Whites pressed hard for an equaliser coming close when Kingsberry hit the crossbar with a fine effort from 20 yards out but despite the pressure it looked like the home team’s efforts would be in vain. That was until the game went into injury time when substitute David Wright was on hand to score following a neat flick on from Southam.

Like Distillery in the first half, it was then Institutes’ turn to cry foul of the missing assistant as their protestations for an offside goal were once again denied by the referee.

An exciting end to what was an entertaining start to life in the championship for Lisburn Distillery, certainly if all of the games are as exciting as this one it should be a season to look forward to.

Elsewhere, Lisburn Distillery will travel to Seaview to take on Crusaders in the first round of this season’s Co.Antrim Shield competition on Tuesday September 24 with a 7.45pm kick off.

In the second round of the League Cup, the Whites will travel to play Coagh United on Monday August 26.

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