Match Report – Lisburn Distillery v PSNI (PLAYR-FIT Premier Intermediate League) – Saturday 21st October 2023
After a run of three successive defeats across two different competitions the Whites entered this game with a sense of urgency to get their season back on track.
From the start the urgency was there for all to see as firstly Joe Tully and the Mick Gallagher both caused concern for the visiting defence with Tully shot being deflected wide and Gallagher’s being gathered by Jonah Magill in the PSNI goal.
After this early flurry it was the Whites who dominated with PSNI restricted to break away attacks although it does have to be said that on occasions the Distillery defence rode their luck once or twice.
On 29 minutes visiting keeper Magill then produced a sensational couple of saves firstly from an effort following a twist and turn by Distillery’s Kyle Flynn then as the ball bounced back from his initial parry a second great block to prevent Ryan McNicholl giving the hosts a deserved lead.
The Whites were very much in the ascendency at this time however were they were then rocked back on their heels as the visitors took the lead. It has been from the Whites corner that the ball had been played up field with James Moore holding back to ensure he beat the Whites offside trap and when he did so he drove forward where he was faced up by the on rushing Ethan Carry in the Distillery goal. Moore however kept his composure and as he came into range drilled the ball under the advancing Carry into the net to give PSNI the lead on 40 minutes.
One nil then almost became two just as half time approached with Aaron Cochrane driving a strong shot goalward forcing Distillery custodian Carry into a fine save palming the ball over the crossbar.
The second half began with the hosts having another superb opportunity after once again breaking away from pressure but on this occasion Moore dragged his effort wide much to the relief of the home side.
After this the game became mostly one way traffic as the Whites went in search of the equaliser with Conor McDermott and Dean Lewis both testing the visiting goalkeeper who held firm on both occasions.
It looked like it would be simply “one of those days” for the Whites however on 69 minutes the tide turned as Joe Tully struck a superb free kick up from 25 yards out over the PSNI defensive wall and into the rood of the net leaving ‘keeper Magill with no chance.
Wave after wave of Distillery attacking followed however another breakthrough wasn’t to come until the game entered injury time with substitute Jamie Devenny finding himself in space in the PSNI penalty area before drilling the ball into the net.
PSNI heads dropped in disbelief, the Whites players were jubilant and those jubilations continued when the final whistle was sounded a few minutes later.
Full time score Lisburn Distillery 2 v PSNI 1
Lisburn Distillery Line up: Carry, Lewis, Flynn, McDermott, Woods, Hoy, Newell, Tully, McNicholl, Gallagher, Grattan
Subs: Robinson, Geddis, Sharkey, Devenny (for Gallagher).
David Hunter’s picture gallery from this game can be found @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAZvvQ
