Ramsey keeps cup run alive

INSTITUTE set-up a sixth round JJB Sports Irish Cup tie at Glenavon, following their deserved 1-0 win at Ballymoney United, on Wednesday night.

Kevin Ramsey's fourth minute header was enough for the Premiership side to overcome their Championship opponents.

The Waterside men missed a golden opportunity to take the lead after just three minutes when Sean Friars' penalty was saved by Ryan Martin, after full-back Robert Richie had handled Ramsey's initial centre while inside the box.

Friars' blushes were saved when his resulting corner found Ramsey who gleefully headed home from virtually on the goal line.

'Stute were inches away from increasing their lead in the 15th minute when Gavin Cullen's long punt downfield found Ramsey but his attempted chip from the edge of the box was straight at Martin.

Martin made a super save ten minutes later, this time diving to his left to keep out Paul Brown's 25 yard thunder bolt.

The home side's only real chance of the match came just before the break but with Cullen to beat midfielder Gerard Gillan mishit his close range shot and the 'Stute keeper easily gathered.

Joe McCall's men started the second half on the front foot, but for all their early pressure they failed to trouble Cullen.

The visitors were inches away from grabbing a second in the 51st minute when Ramsey turned well on the edge of the box, but his low drive, which had Martin beaten whistled just past the post.

Declan Divin missed an outstanding chance soon after when substitute Conor Deane picked out the winger with an inch perfect cross, but the ex-Finn Harps man somehow headed wide from close range.

Right at the death another Deane centre found Brown, but his powerful downard header, which had Martin beaten, came back off the post.

Institute: Cullen, Wray, Ogilby, McLaughlin, Holmes; Blackburn, McClean, Friars, Divin; Brown, Ramsey. Subs: Deane for Blackburn (65); McCready for Ramsey (80).

Ballymoney United: Martin, Richie, Wilkinson, McQuitty, Hill, Gage, Keane, Gillan, McCloskey, McLernon, McLaughlin. Subs: Maybin for McLaughlin (74); O'Boyle for McCloskey (86); Scott for McQuitty (90).

Referee: Mr Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge).