Late, late goal denies Moyola a point at Tillysburn

Moyola Park 1

ON Saturday last Moyola Park's new management team of Billy Clarke and George Lennox arrived at Tillysburn with a relatively young and inexperienced side to take on seasoned campaigners Harland and Wolff Welders.

The East Belfast side however had to wait until the 95th minute before securing all three points in a nail-biting climax to the game.

Marty Verner, a close season signing from Bangor, gave The Welders the lead in the 20th minute with a shot from just outside the penalty area which took a late dip and deceived Moyola Park's keeper Graeme McKibben, on loan from Glentoran until the end of May. Two minutes later a Blaine Morrison free kick from wide on the right ended up in the side netting as Moyola Park sought to get back on level terms. Morrison saw another effort rise over The Welders crossbar nine minutes later.

In the 61st minute a long clearance from McKibben found David Anderson who slotted the ball into the net for a well merited equaliser. In the 71st minute Michael Stewart, a nephew of Former Moyola Park hero 'Alfie' Stewart and who scored on his debut last week against Wakehurst replaced Morrison. Alan Linton a member of the under17 squad replaced Anderson in the Moyola Park ranks. Eoghan Kelly came close to snatching the lead for the visitors when a rasping shot from all of 35 yards went narrowly wide of The Welders goal at the George Best Belfast City Airport end of the ground. Following a corner on the right Ryan Brown snatched the winner for the home side in the 5th minute of added time.

Despite the failure to take any points both the players and new management team can take much encouragement from a spirited performance in which senior players 'Jimmy' Crockett, Nicky McPeak and Steven McQuillan all played a prominent role.

Moyola Park: G McKibben, M Drennan, E Kelly, S McQuillan, N McPeak, A McFall, J Johnston, B McLean, D Anderson, J Crockett, B Morrison Subs: M Stewart, A Linton and R Leacock