Pretty ’Stute lose again

Lamont (29 & 31)

Institute...(0) 0

A Neil Lamont first half brace was enough for Tobermore United to inflict Institute’s third league defeat in four games.

Once again the visitors dominated things for long periods throughout the 90 minutes on Saturday, but their achilles heel came back to haunt them again as they never really threatened United keeper Sammy Foster.

For all their neat integrate football the home side with their 4-4-2 formation defended very well and never really looked like losing the game, after Lamont’s quick-fire double just after the half-hour mark.

The Waterside men started well with both Declan McKeever and Sean Friars producing dangerous deliveries across the United six yard box, but neither striker Mark Kelly or a midfield player were on the end of those cross in the opening 15 minutes.

However the first real shot in anger came on 16 minutes when a quickly taken throw by Sean Hennighan was cut-out by Dean Jarvis, but his clearance fell to Lamont and his first time volley from the right hand edge of the box, which had Corey Wilson scrambling, flashed just wide.

Kelly missed a golden chance on 24 minutes when after skipping passed a few challenges, the big striker’s tame shot while inside the box was straight at Foster.

That miss came back to haunt ’Stute as they fell a goal behind four minutes later after some poor defending down their left hand side of defence.

Trio McKeever, Jarvis and Graham Crown all failed to either get close enough to their player or get a vital clearance, but the alert Lamont was on hand to pick the ball up just inside the visitor’s box, before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Wilson.

The game was over as a contest on 31 minutes when a defensive mistake by Crown saw his mistimed header fall perfectly into Lamont’s path and the striker raced clear before blasting home from just inside the box.

Institute had a glorious opportunity to pull one back on 38 minutes when Kelly’s lay-off found Paddy McLaughlin totally unmarked inside the box, but with his weaker left foot the skipper dragged his shot well wide from close range.

Ten minutes after the break the Drumahoe club had strong claims for a penalty when Kelly seemed to be dragged to the ground by defender Adrian Whiteside, but referee Graham McIlwrath waved play on.

Just after the hour mark a neat passing move ended with Kelly’s well hit drive being tipped around his left hand post by Foster.

Walsh had the final note worthy effort seven minutes from time, but his clever flick at the near post was easily gathered by Foster.

Tobermore United: Foster, McComb, Campbell, Donaldson, Neill, McClements, Hennighan, Lamont, Patton, Magil. Subs: McKenna for Campbell (63); Kelly for McComb (78); Batista for Lamont (85); Gardner (not used).

Institute: Wilson, Roddy, McLaughlin, Crown, Jarvis; McKeever, Harkin, McBride; Walsh, Kelly, Friars. Subs: Browne for McLaughlin (H-T); McCarron for Friars (79); Parkhouse for Walsh (86); Carlyle & Taylor (not used).

Referee: Mr Graham McIlwrath (Newtownards).

Cautioned: Neill (46); Magil (52); Browne (62); Harkin (65); McKeever (90).