Teenagers progress to last four

Institute U15...3Moyola U15...3(Institute U15 won 5-4 on agg)

INSTITUTE Under 15's continued their quest for a league and cup double on Saturday by reaching the semi-final of the North West Cup with a hard fought 5-4 aggregate victory over Moyola in Castledawson.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, an entertaining 3-3 draw ensued to ensure the Drumahoe lads a semi final date with Coleraine this Saturday.

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Institute started brightly, taking the game to the hosts and deservedly took the lead in 5th minute when a great ball by David McFaul caused confusion in the Moyola back line and allowed striker Lee Olphert to seize the opportunity and put the visitors ahead, sliding the ball under the advancing Moyola keeper.

After that dream start however, 'Stute allowed Moyola back into the game as they failed to get to grips with the encounter and within eight first half minutes Moyola deservedly got themselves back into the game with carbon copy free kicks from distance on 20 and 28 minutes to bring the game back to 3-3 on aggregate and 2-1 to the hosts on the day.

However to their credit, Institute began the second half a totally different side, showing a determination and effort which was lacking in the first half.

In 44th minute a great through ball by Lee Olphert saw captain Jordan Greer race clear and force a great save from the keeper. From the resulting corner, man of the match Reuben Hollywood rose highest at the back post to power a header into the back of the net to restore the visitor's aggregate lead.

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The Drumahoe lads made it 5-3 on aggregate less than a minute later with the impressive Lee Olphert beating the off side trap to score a well deserved 30th goal of the season.

Minutes later and Olphert came so close to his hat-trick when he unleashed a thunderbolt from 35 yards only to see his effort agonisingly come off post and back into play.

However the game wasn't over as a contest just yet and Moyola ensured a nervous finish when they scored a very debatable equaliser with four minutes remaining.

Despite keeper David McFaul clearly having both hands on the ball from a right hand cross, the referee failed to spot the ball being kicked out of his hands from which their hard working striker had the simplest of tap ins from close range.

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However 'Stute held strong for the remaining minutes to ensure a well deserved 5-4 aggregate victory and book their place in this week's semi-final.

Institute U15: D McFaul, G Connor, J Greer, S Wisener, A Callen, R Hollywood, J Kyle, N Morton, A Tarr, L Olphert, J Greer (c), M Pierce, A McKenna, S Clarke, C Neely.