Lisnagarvey do enough in Senior Cup first round

Lisnagarvey did just enough to win their first round Senior Cup game against Dublin YMCA at Old Alexandra College on Saturday.

They won by 2 goals to nil in a tense game of not great quality; the visitors scored as early as the 4th minute but could not finish the job until the 65th minute when Andy Williamson scored the second of his match winning goals. In between the goals, Garvey missed quite a number of chances to seal the tie and also were guilty of some slack defending on which a better team than YM might well have capitalised.

The match played in squally conditions began with Garvey quickly on top and in the 4th minute, a move down the right led to Timmy Cockram creating a chance for the opportunism of Andy Williamson to show itself and he made no mistake close to goal.

Johnny Bell was the most active Garvey player during the first half continually making raids into the Dublin danger area and from one of these Mark Raphael saw his shot deflected past the post in the 25th minute.

The 30th minute was crucial for Garvey as they were vastly exposed at the back and John Tormey had to bring off a very brave save coming out of his goal; indeed the ball cannoned off his helmet and he was fortunate not to incur an injury.

The home side were immediately on the attack in the opening minutes of the second period and again John Tormey was to the rescue with another fine save while Johnny Quigley was proving to be Garvey’s best attacking weapon.

Sean Murray had come on as a substitute in the 40th minute and proceeded to play a large part in the Garvey effort showing a very mature temperament.

In the 65th minute the place in the second round was secured. A superb overhead flick by Steven Arbuthnot was completely misjudged by the Dublin defender and after shrugging off two fierce tackles, Andy Williamson scored his second goal to take his team into a 2-0 lead with just a few minutes remaining, as Garvey took their place in the second round where they will play U.C.D. at Comber Road on November 30.

Garvey welcome Instonians to Comber Road for a 2.30pm start and are expecting a difficult afternoon after their close win two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the squad will be without Jason Lynch as he aggravated his groin injury during the Cup match and will be out for a number of weeks.