O’Flynn is Stute’s match winner

Institute's Stephen O'Flynn celebrates his winning goal against Warrenpoint Town. Picture by Lorcan Doherty/Presseye.com

Stephen O’Flynn’s third goal of the campaign was enough to see Paul Kee’s side home, but it was Rory Kelly’s display in goals which really caught the eye.

Kelly, who started the game between the sticks after new signing Eugene Ferry’s paperwork was not finalised in time, made a few saves at crucial times of Saturday’s encounter.

The visitors went close on nine minutes after Stephen Moan’s right wing free-kick found Dermot McVeigh at the back post, but the defender’s header was straight at Kelly.

Minutes later Padraig Smith had a drive which Kelly could only manage to turn around his post.

The home side suffered an injury set-back on 31 minutes as Cormac Burke picked up a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Ben Doherty.

Institute had their first shot on 40 minutes when wing-back Stephen Curry got up a head of steam, but his drive from just inside the box was saved by Martin Marron.

The Waterside men did take the lead on 42 minutes when Declan McKeever’s cross found Stephen O’Flynn and he made no mistake from six yards heading home past Marron.

Warrenpoint should have equalised right at the start of the second half when a neat passing move ended with Stephen Hughes finding Jonathan Breen inside the box, but the midfielder’s shot was well saved by Kelly.

Institute started to come more and more into the second half and they went close on 61 minutes when Darren McCauley’s run and shot from 20 yards was saved by Marron.

Minutes later a great run by substitute Doherty ended with his cross finding O’Flynn, who in turn laid the ball off to Aaron Walsh, but the midfielder’s drive from the edge of the box was saved at the second attempt by Marron.

Kelly was called into action on 79 minutes when Graham Crown’s slip meant Stephen Hughes got in behind the Stute defence but thankfully for the centre-back the Town man’s shot was saved by the keeper.

Institute: Kelly, McLaughlin, Scoltock, Crown; Curry, McManus, Walsh, McKeever; McCauley (Toland 82), O’Flynn (McVeigh 82), Burke (Doherty 31).

Warrenpoint Town: Marron, King, Cowan (Devlin 69), McVeigh, S Hughes, McCabe, Smith (Boyle 69), Bagnall, M Hughes, Moan, Breen (Havern 77).

Referee: Mr John Deighan (Limavady).