Match report – SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2023 – PLAYR-FIT PREMIER INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE – LISBURN DISTILLERY 0 V ARMAGH CITY 0
After a disappointing performance when exiting the Intermediate Cup only seven days previously, Distillery went into this game with a determination to get their season back on track however they would so without the inclusion of Josh Lynch (suspended), Johnny Newell (family bereavement) and Curtis Woods (family wedding) which left gaps across the midfield.
Good news however was that forward Joe Tully was back from suspension however, after 4 minutes of play, this positivity was disrupted as experienced defender Adam McCart pulled up injured and had to be replaced.
After early stages of nip and tuck it was Distillery who went closest to breaking the deadlock as the returning Tully headed goalward past visiting keeper Conor Byrne only to see his effort hooked off the line by the Armagh defence on 17 minutes.
Next up to threaten the visitors was substitute Mick Gallagher who once again seemed set to score as he lobbed Byrne but somehow the Armagh keeper recovered superbly to somehow scoop the ball from under the bar and away to safety.
Armagh themselves hda also been causing problems with Marc McConnell in particular a constant threat to the home defence and having a couple of decent efforts which were deflected by the home defence.
The second half got underway with both sides seeking a breakthrough and it was the Whites who thought they had secured it when, on 47 minutes, a superb strike from on loan Gerard Storey left Armagh keeper Byrne secured to his line and only able to watch on to see the thunderous effort crashing off the crossbar before going to safety.
After this chances were traded between the ides with the visitors going the closest to breaking the deadlock on 72 minutes when a well stuck shot from Duffy took a wicked deflection to cause total confusion for the home defence only for ‘keeper Ethan Carry to respond brilliantly to somehow scoop the ball from under the cross bard when the net seemed certain to bulge.
With time ticking down both side worked hard to get the all important goal and it was Distillery who once again came closest to scoring but, for the second time, they saw an effort rattle off the crossbar, this time in the dying seconds, and away to safety,
Full time Result: Lisburn Distillery 0 Armagh City 0
LDFC Line up: Carry, McDermott, Hoy, Angus, McCart, Grattan, Tully, Lewis, McNichol, Storey, Sharkey
Subs: Robinson, Gallagher (for McCart), Devenny (for Grattan), Young, McComb, Lundy
