Match Report -Lisburn Distillery v Newcastle (Toals Steel & Sons Cup 2nd Round) – Saturday 20th August 2022

Lisburn Distillery v Newcastle (Toals Steel & Sons Cup 2^nd Round) – Saturday 20^th August 2022

Lisburn Distillery began our 2022 Steel & Sons Cup campaign on Saturday at home to Newcastle, in what was a repeat of last season’s opening game for the Whites in the tournament.

Both sides had sights of goal in the opening five minutes, firstly Distillery debutant Jack Patton headed over from a Carson Elliott corner and then at the other end a Newcastle player shot wide after Whites goalkeeper, Ethan Carry, had to clear for a throw in following a back pass.

After this, the home side began to take control of the game and Newcastle had their own goalkeeper, Shane Harrison, to thank for keeping them level. First, the visiting stopper made a wonderful triple save in the 7^th minute after a pass put Jourdan Shearer through on goal and further saves followed to deny Pearse McVarnock and Elliott. In the midst of all this the woodwork also came to the visitors rescue when a corner was flicked goalwards and came back off the post, Newcastle quickly countered and an attacker tried to chip Carry from range but he easily gathered the ball.

Shearer was enjoying a lively first half for Distillery and was denied again by Harrison after 25 minutes and two minutes later the attacker did well to stop a pass from going out for a throw in, then going on to beat three defenders only to have his low cross into the box cleared from danger.

Both teams ended the half with chances to take the lead in the final five minutes, for the Whites a curling effort from Shearer looked to finally have Harrison beaten but the ball cannoned back off the crossbar and then the visitors saw an effort from a corner whistle just wide of Carry’s post in injury time.

Half Time: Lisburn Distillery 0-0 Newcastle

Two minutes after the break Barry Johnston’s side had a golden chance to finally take the lead when a McVarnock corner was cleared back out to the Whites player who took the ball into the box but was brought down by a defender and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

The Whites summer signing took on the responsibility himself but Harrison was in no mood to be beaten and did well to save and hold the spot kick low to his right, keeping the game goalless.

Not long before the hour mark Distillery survived a scare when a free kick was only partially punched away by Carry and when the ball was returned into the box a defender had to be on hand to clear the ball off the line. McVarnock then tried his luck again, this time from range, but Harrison continued to be a thorn in the Whites side as he tipped the ball around the post.

For the rest of the half Distillery continued to dominate but found the way to goal denied either in the form of Harrison or in the resilient Newcastle backline. The visitors did have a chance to steal victory right at the death when a cross from the right found a player in the six-yard box but thankfully, a Whites defender was on hand to get a crucial touch to send the ball behind for a corner, which came to nothing.

With no goals at the end of 90 minutes, we moved into two ten minute periods of extra time.

End of 90 Minutes: Lisburn Distillery 0-0 Newcastle

The opening minutes of extra time were a cagey affair with the home side in control of possession and at this stage, the visitors seemed happy to sit in and perhaps exploit any errors.

This meant that sights of goal were few and far between but in the 98^th minute Distillery were given another great chance to take the lead when substitute, Bobby Robinson’s, cross into the box struck the arm of a Newcastle defender and the referee awarded the Whites their second penalty of the game.

This time Brendan Shannon, who had performed well on his debut, stepped up but again Harrison made the save, this time to his left, and managed to spring to his feet to tip the rebound over the bar.

Moving into the second period of extra-time Distillery were evidently keen to get the game wrapped up before penalties, not surprising given the heroics of Harrison.

Lewis Higginson was played through with a pass and managed to get a shot off but it clipped off the post and went out for a goal kick, the third time Distillery had been denied by the woodwork.

With five minutes to go, a Dylan Sinnerton cross flashed across the Newcastle goal but no Distillery player was able to get on the end of the ball, which was then collected by an opposing player who set the visitors off on the counter again but Carry was able to get his hands on the ball to thwart any danger.

The opening goal did finally come for Distillery two minutes from time when Caoelain Young latched onto a short back pass and managed to get a crucial touch to force the ball past the onrushing Harrison. It was now a race between striker and ‘keeper to the loose ball with Young thankfully being the winner and rolling the ball into the empty net.

Distillery managed to see out the last two minutes and when the final whistle blew, the celebrations were perhaps a mixture of joy and relief. The manner of the defeat was particularly harsh on the hard working Newcastle side, particularly Harrison who was rightly applauded off by both sets of fans.

Distillery now have a 3^rd round home game to look forward to next month against Glentoran Seconds.

Full Time: Lisburn Distillery 1-0 Newcastle (After Extra Time)

Match report by Cameron Moore @cameron2604

David Hunter’s Picture gallery from this game can be viewed @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA3USZ