Glebe crash out of Irish Cup

GLEBE Rangers crashed out of the JJB Sports Irish Cup at the fifth round stage at home to Ballinamallard United by three goals to nil, writes William McConaghie.

Any chance of either team playing decent football was taken away by extremely poor weather conditions on Tuesday night.

Glebe went into the game missing four players - Stuart McCallum, Ian Bellingham, James Steele and Ricky Nicholl who has returned to America.

The match started very scrappy.

Ballinamallard came close to opening the scoring early on, Darren Higginbotham breached the Glebe defence but Brian Kane saved well at his feet.

Trevor Parkhill did well out wide in the 15th minute, beating a couple of opponents before crossing but Gareth Liggett cleared the ball off the line.

Unfortunately, the same player - Parkhill - had a hand in the visitors' opener in the 28th minute.

He lost the ball out wide and Mark Stafford took advantage to play a defence-splitting ball to Higginbotham who coolly slotted home past Kane.

Higginbotham could have doubled his tally a short time later when put through again but Moore denied him with a fantastic last ditch tackle.

William Wharry prevented another chance finding the net - the former Larne man heading a David Kee free-kick to safety.

Parkhill almost levelled from a set-piece just before half-time but Trevor Morrison pushed the ball onto the bar for a Glebe corner.

Parkhill swung in a vicious corner which fell to Kirk Brace on the edge of the box but he couldn't keep the ball down, and it flew the wrong side of the cross bar.

The frustrated Tommy Elder was booked in the 47th minute for a silly challenge and moments later Peter Kennoway missed a gilt-edged chance, heading an Adam McCart cross straight at the goalkeeper.

The game was put beyond Glebe in the 49th minute. Higginbotham ran down the left flank before knocking a good ball to Grant Hutchinson who fired the ball home beyond Kane.

Glebe did create a couple of chances, Kennoway missed a headed opportunity when it was easier to score, and Parkhill lobbed the keeper - and the bar - when clean through.

Ballinamallard emphatically secured a sixth round tie away to Ballymena United in the 67th minute.

A needless free-kick conceded by Glebe was struck into the top corner - albeit with the assistance of the wind - by Crawford.

Jackie Morrison came on for McCart and the youngster immediately got to work to state his claim for a first team place.

Kane prevented the game turning into a rout in the last ten minutes, saving from Crawford.

The enthusiastic Morrison was booked in the 82nd minute as was Brace in the final minutes.

The final whistle signalled Glebe's exit from the illustrious competition and another disappointing display.

Brace did extremely well and was easily Glebe's best player on the evening followed by Morrison.

However, more players need to step up to the plate if Glebe are to survive in this league.

The manager needs more commitment from his players. The more experienced players need to roll their sleeves up and follow the example of Brace and Morrison.

If they don't they will be plying their trade in the second division next year.