Whites’ winning start

Lisburn Distillery got the new season off to a winning start when the Whites welcomed Knockbreda last weekend, with the hosts doubtless hoping to impress the home crowd in their first competitive match of the 2014-15 campaign, Josh Bunting reports.
Distillery's Martin Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match. US14-513cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonDistillery's Martin Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match. US14-513cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Distillery's Martin Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match. US14-513cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

With both sides having quite a few new faces, it was Knockbreda who forced the early pace, the first chance arriving on five minutes as James Wright ran through before lobbing the advancing home ‘keeper Ryan McBride but thankfully, the effort hit the side netting.

The visitors then had a further two chances when David Johnston got free from sloppy defending, his shot a heart stopping moment as he went close to hitting the top corner of the net, and this was soon followed as a Steven Garret header which looked set for the net only for a late clearance by Marty Young.

The hosts slowly settled into the game and had their first chance on 16 minutes when Jimmy McIlhagga’s shot beat ‘Breda keeper John Willamson only for the ball to rebound off the bar. The visitors respite was only temporary as shortly afterwards Whites’ debutant Marty Jones scored the first goal of the new season as he fought off the attention of a Knockbreda defender before scooping the ball past Willamson on 29 minutes.

Distillery's Martin Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match. US14-513cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonDistillery's Martin Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match. US14-513cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Distillery's Martin Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match. US14-513cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Joe McDonnell then made it 2-0 on 38 minutes as he twisted and turned holding off the attentions of the visitors defence before firing accurately into the bottom corner of the net, a sizzler of a goal for the summer signing.

Knockbreda started the second half the brighter side with a Thomas Lambe floated free kick deflecting off the head of Joe McDonnell before beating McBride but narrowly going behind for a corner.

Knockbreda were struggling to break down a resolute Whites defence but had another half chance when Gary Workman turned and shot but the effort went well wide of goal. After this the hosts were well in control but chances for either side were limited although Sean Southam had a good chance as he turned the Knockbreda defence before shooting goalward however, his effort flew narrowly wide of the right hand post,

The game fizzled out with no further chances with the home side pleased to secure their first win in an opening game since 2007 and this is doubtless something that they will want to build on.

Distillery team: McBride, Kirgan, Sargent, Nixon, Young, McDonnell, McIlgagga, Corrigan, Doyle, Jones, O”Connor

Subs: Southam (for McIlhagga), Gallagher (for Corrigan), Withers (for Jones), Kopyt.