’Stute get back to winning ways

The visitors had a host of clear cut chances and even missed a penalty in the first half, while in the second half the Waterside men took the lead thanks to a bizarre own goal from Jonathan Magee.

Sean Roddy corner on four minutes caused problems in the visitor’s defence, but Dean Jarvis’ side footed effort at the near post, hit the side netting.

On 19 minutes a fantastic cross by Joe McCready from the right found his striking partner Stephen Parkhouse, but the big front man saw his header back across Welders keeper James Taylor, flew just wide.

Soon after the Welders wasted a glorious chance to break the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty.

Midfielder Declan McKeever handled the ball inside the box, but Mark Cooling’s resulting spot-kick was tamely struck and Marty Gallagher diving to his right, pushed the ball back out, but the midfielder’s follow-up effort, from close range, flew well over the bar.

Right on the stroke of half-time Nathan McConnell missed another super chance when this time the ex-Lisburn Distillery man turned the ball over the bar from close range, after Jonathan Magee’s had flicked on Dan McMurray’s long throw-in.

The deadlock was broken 52 seconds after the break in some what comical circumstances.

Michael McCrudden’s low shot from the right hand side of the six yard box, which had Welders keeper Taylor beaten, was cleared off the line by McMurray, but his clearance only hit the back of fellow defender Magee and flew into the net.

On 65 minutes the game was ended as a contest after some fantastic skill by McCrudden lit up the game.

The ex-Derry City man produced a super piece of skill to skip away from McMurray tight to the bye-line, before from an acute angle he some how drilled the ball low past Taylor.

Moments later the home side had a super chance to increase their lead but McCready wasted the chance, after Neil Harkin’s inch perfect pass had released the striker.

Soon after McKeever missed an absolute sitter when he some how side footed wide from close range, after good play by Parkhouse and McCrudden had created the clear cut chance.

Institute: Gallagher, Crown, McLaughlin, Jarvis, Taylor; Roddy, Harkin, McKeever, McCrudden; Parkhouse, McCready. Subs: Dougherty for McCready (74); Carlyle for McKeever (86); Semple, Coyle & Doran (not used).

Harland & Wolff Welders: Taylor, McMurray, Armstrong, Cooling, Magee, Muir, McKee, Harris, Larmour, McConnell, Black. Subs: Garrett for Cooling (59); Reid for Black (73); Wilkinson for McConnell (77); Johnston & Thompson (not used).

Referee: Mr Eddie Ferguson (Coleraine).

Cautioned: Black (32); Cooling (56); Muir (62); Jarvis (89).