Super sub Kelly sinks Town

Institute...(0) 1

Kelly (50)

SUPER sub Mark Kelly ensured Institute picked up another three valuable points at a battling Banbridge Town, on Saturday.

The striker came off the bench to score the important winning goal early in somewhat bizarre circumstances in the second half; the only downside or the visitors was the red card midfielder Neil Harkin received also after the break.

In October, the Waterside men had Thomas McBride to thank for a narrow 2-1 win over Town and they had another tough encounter at the weekend, at Crystal Park.

On 16 minutes a superbly timed tackle by Paddy McLaughlin denied Town striker Ryan Cree a shot at goal, after Chris McGrath and Conor Downey had combined to create the chance.

Soon after a tremendous piece of goalkeeping by Corey Wilson denied the home side when Mattie McCartan’s close range strike was kept out by a full stretched ’Stute net-minder.

After those early opportunities the visitors started to come more and more into the game with Harkin having their first effort at goal, which unfortunately didn’t trouble Town keeper Michael McAllister.

Just after the half-hour mark a great cross from Aaron Gallagher would have found an unmarked Downey, but for some more smart keeping by Wilson.

On 35 minutes some slick passing by the Drumahoe side saw Stephen Parkhouse and Harkin find Dean Jarvis, but the left back’s teasing centre flashed across the six yard box.

Minutes later Downey ghosted behind the ’Stute back-line, but he failed to trouble Wilson and headed wide.

Just before half-time McAllister came to his side’s rescue when the Town keeper was forced to save from Parkhouse after Sean Roddy had found the striker with a great cross.

The second half was five minutes old when Institute opened the scoring with that ‘bizarre’ goal.

Substitute Kelly beat the Town’s offside trap and rounded McAllister but his mis hit shot towards the empty net should have been easily cleared by James Wilson but defender lost his balance and inexplicably allowed the ball to trickle over the line.

’Stute were dominant now and played some good flowing football but received a setback in the 70th minute when midfielder Harkin got his marching orders for alleged foul play.

With their man advantage the home side pushed forward and threw everything at Institute and a deft Downey header sent Cree racing through but his shot was well held by Wilson.

Another McCartan drive which flew wide was all Town could muster and they too went down to ten men when defender Stuart Thompson saw red in the 87th minute.

Banbridge Town: McAllister, Wilson, Thompson, Fannin, Watson, McGrath, Gallagher, McCartan, Cree, Kingsberry, Downey. Subs: Cobb, McGarry, Martin, McBurney, Maguire.

Institute: Wilson; Roddy, McLaughlin, Browne, Jarvis; Carlyle, Harkin, McBride, McKeever; Friars; Parkhouse. Subs: Kelly, Crown, Taylor, Walsh, McAnuff.

Referee: Evan Boyce (Ballygowan).