’Stute win NW derby

A combination of some super keeping from United’s Lawrence McCormick and some terrible finishing meant the Roesiders only lost by a single goal.

On four minutes a Declan McKeever corner from the left was dummied by Sean Roddy at the near post, but Gareth McFadden’s well hit drive from the penalty spot, was cleared off the line by Daibhibd McIvor.

A clever flick on by McFadden on 18 minutes sent Ricky Lee Dougherty clear, but after a poor first touch, his attempted ding over the out-rushing Lawrence McCormick was saved by the United keeper.

Just after the mid-way point of the half the home side deservedly took the lead thanks to some clever play by Michael McCrudden.

The midfielder played a neat one-two with McFadden on the edge of the box, before skipping away from Kevin Roddy inside the box and although his first shot was saved by McCormick, he made no mistake with the follow-up.

Soon after Dougherty missed a glorious chance to open his ’Stute account when he broke the offside trap, before lifting the ball over the out-rushing McCormick, but with the goal at his mercy he incredibly side footed wide.

’Stute missed another great chance on 39 minutes when that man McFadden this time broke the offside trap, but with only McCormick to beat, his tame right footed shot from the right hand side of the six yard box trickled wide.

The home side went close right on the stroke of half-time and they also had a massive penalty shout turned down when firstly McCormick kept out McCrudden’s initial shot, but it looked like the United keeper had brought down Dougherty inside the box, but referee Lee Tavinder incredibly gave a goal-kick.

On 49 minutes that man McFadden went close again, this time he skipped away from Damien McNulty, but his well hit drive was stopped by McCormick.

United’s were inches away from levelling things with their first meaningful shot on target.

The home side failed to clear their lines properly and substitute Nigel Turner saw his well hit drive superbly tipped away by Marty Gallagher.

Another super piece of goalkeeping by McCormick on 55 minutes denied Institute again, this time he parried away McCrudden’s low drive from 12 yards.

Some neat skill by Aaron Walsh on 67 minutes ended with his inch perfect pass inside the box finding McCrudden, but he blazed over.

Substitute Ruairi McClean was inches away from scoring a dramatic equaliser on 89 minutes but some brave defending by Dean Jarvis meant the ex-’Stute man fired over from close range.

Institute: Gallagher, Roddy, McLaughlin, Jarvis, Taylor; Walsh, McCauley, McKeever; McCrudden, Dougherty, McFadden. Subs: McCready for Dougherty (68); Harkin & Carlyle for McFadden & McCauley (86); Crown (not used).

Limavady United: McCormick, Roddy, McIvor, McConaghie, McNulty, Patrick, Logue, Close, Parkhill, Blackburn, Morrison. Subs: Turner for Logue (H-T); McClean for Parkhill (73); McAllister for Blackburn (76); Browne & Doey (not used).

Referee: Lee Tavinder (Dungannon).

Cautioned: Close (62); McFadden (77).