Missed chances cost Old Boys against Grove

Larne Tech OB 0

LARNE Tech Old Boys slip down two places to ninth slot in Division 1A, but could count themselves desperately unlucky at not securing at least a point from this visit to Border Regiment Cup holders, Grove United.

That two-nil verdict doesn’t tell the full story, given that the Tech had the better chances, not to mention a missed penalty, while Grove’s second goal came in the dying minutes, when the Antivilleians really had thrown caution to the wind.

There was little between the sides in a scoreless opening session; Tech manager, Gary Smyth, out of semi-retirement in the absence of Brendan Quinn, pulling off one fine back post save, while the Old Boys best moment came when young Christopher Morton forced a fine save out of the Grove custodian.

It was the Shore Road side, however, who broke the impasse just after the turnaround; following up on a fumble by Smyth, though the Tech almost bounced right back, with Daryll Kernohan deprived by the Grove netminder.

The visitors could have been back on par when Martin Steele was nudged inside the box, but Kernohan’s penalty was well saved by the keeper.

The Tech had further chances, with the pacey David Steele and Kernohan demanding further saves, while Martin Steele and Rab Hunter had efforts just wide.

Instead, it was Grove who had the final splash, putting a rather misleading gloss on the final outcome, with a goal with virtually the last kick.

On Saturday, the Tech travel to East Belfast.

Larne Tech OB; Smyth – Magee, Adams, Hunter, Withers – Lusty (Z McAllister), Brown, Morton, D Steele – M Steele, Kernohan. Sub (unused) Crawford.