Match Report – Lisburn Distillery v PSNI 08/08/22
Late cut from Shearer sends Whites through
06 August 2022 – Bet McLean League Cup – Preliminary Round
Lisburn Distillery 2 PSNI 1
An 85th minute finish from Jourdan Shearer got a new era under manager Barry Johnston off to a positive start and a place in the first round draw of the Bet McLean League Cup.
Both sides had a large number of changes since their last meeting towards the end of last season and the visitors dominated more in the early exchanges and forced a few corners before Distillery opened the scoring on 15 minutes.
Stephen Sullivan darted into the box, under pressure from two defenders he dinked the ball across goal and Carson Elliott headed in past the PSNI goalkeeper and another defender from six-yards out. That lead only lasted four minutes before Henry Capper headed home a cross from the right.
PSNI did have the ball in the net again on 32 minutes but the “goal” was ruled out for offside. Within seconds though the visitors had a penalty when Justin Grattan upended Matthew Henry inside the box. However, Distillery goalkeeper Ethan Carry denied Tony Tumelty, with yet another penalty save, to his left.
On 42 minutes Conal Murray laid the ball inside to Elliott but the forward side-footed an effort well off target.
Half-time – Lisburn Distillery 1 PSNI 1
Carry was on hand to parry out a shot from Tony Tumelty on 63 minutes and the ball was booted clear, and the Whites’ goalkeeper was tested again four minutes later, going down low to his left to keep out an effort from Jack Owens. The ball immediately went up-field and substitute Bobby Robinson broke clear only to scuff his shot wide off the goal.
The longer the first-half had gone on, the more settled Distillery had become and as the second-half ticked down the more dangerous they became. On 79 minutes Murray made a great tackle to retrieve the ball inside the PSNI box, it went back to Lewis Higginson who knocked it forward to Ballentine but he dragged his shot wide.
PSNI responded and a great cross from wide-right flew across the goalmouth with Cameron Lammie unable to get on the end of it. Two minutes later the Whites netted the winner – Murray got in behind the PSNI defence but was denied by a great block from PSNI keeper Tom Hegan The ball went back into midfield and was quickly recycled, James Morgan laying it wide to Cieran Clougherty who crossed into the box where Ballentine and Shearer were waiting, the latter netting just out from the goal-line.
A minute from normal time Shearer almost netted his second. breaking into the box before unleashing a shot that streaked past the upright. Back though came PSNI in added time – they forced a corner that was headed clear and Tony Tumelty could only watch as his volley went wide. And in the fifth minute of added time Carry rose to tip a header over his crossbar.
A closely-fought match that will serve as an early marker between the two Lough 41 Premier Intermediate League teams but Distillery go through to the first round proper, the draw for which will take place shortly.
Lisburn Distillery – Ethan Carry, Justin Grattan (Cieran Clougherty 59 mins), Conal Murray, Christian Irvine ©, Daniel Smith, Joshua Lynch, Lewis Higginson, Stephen Sullivan (Jourdan Shearer 49 mins), Neil Ballentine, Carson Elliott (James Morgan 65 mins), Dylan Sinnerton (Bobby Robinson 65 mins). Subs not used – Conan McAuley, Jason Scott.
PSNI – Hegan, Gordon (Briers 79 mins), Turkington, Woods, Wharry, Wilson,(Owens 39 mins) Henry (Lannie 66 mins) , Blackstock, Capper (Hunter 79 mins), Tumelty, Richardson (Devlin 66 mins). Subs not used –Diven, Turk.
Referee – Mark Milligan
Match report – © David Hunter
The picture gallery from this game can be viewed @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA2cPw
