Moyola Park v Lisburn Distillery (Premier Intermediate League) – Saturday 12th February 2022

by Colin Hopkins · 14 February 2022

Moyola Park v Lisburn Distillery (Premier Intermediate League) – Saturday 12^th February 2022

Lisburn Distillery travelled to Mill Meadow on Saturday hoping to better the 0-0 draw against Moyola back in December and bounce back from the previous Saturday’s defeat against Dollingstown.

There were three changes to the Whites starting line-up with Neil Dillon and Mikey Withers returning to the side in place of Justin Grattan and Caolan Conlon who both dropped to the bench. Scott Brannigan had also been due to start the game but had to withdraw not long before kick-off and was replaced by Conan McAuley who, was originally named as a substitute.

The opening stages of the game passed with little action to note, the visitors had a couple of attacks down the left but crosses from Withers and Stephen Sullivan were easily cleared and up the other end the home side saw a free kick go just wide of Jonah Nicholl’s right hand post.

The opening goal came really from nowhere in the 15^th minute when Sullivan picked up the ball in the Distillery half of the pitch and drove over the halfway line before passing right to Mick O’Hanlon. Spotting the ‘keeper off his line the Whites player opted to try his luck from all of 30 yards, there was a touch of fortune as the ball seemed to catch in the slight breeze which perhaps deceived Darren Harbinson in the opposition goal who could only watch as the ball dipped under the bar for a spectacular goal.

A minute later and the lead was doubled when a ball forward found Brendan Bennett out on the right channel but with the path to goal blocked the number 10 spotted Withers in space on the left so he passed to his teammate who got the ball under control and hit a powerful shot out of reach of Harbinson.

After this, the home side tried to find a way back into the game but despite being on the front foot in terms of possession in the Whites half, Nicholl in goal remained largely untested.

It was actually Distillery who almost added to their lead when Harbinson had to save from first Bennett just before the half hour mark and then O’Hanlon nine minutes later.

With less than five minutes of the half left a free-kick for Moyola ended with Nicholl having to be alert to save a header low to his left to ensure the Whites went in at the break two goals to the good.

Half-time: Moyola Park 0-2 Lisburn Distillery

The second 45 started with Distillery on the front foot and Withers causing problems for the home side in the opening five minutes.

Firstly, he received the ball centrally and despite forced wide into the left channel he somehow managed to get the better of two defenders to break into the box only for his cross to be cleared. Following this the same player attempted to attack down the left, this time the move broke down but Sullivan was able to pick up the loose ball only his effort on goal to go over the bar.

After this good start to the half from the visitors Moyola slowly began to get back into the game again and in the 54^th minute had a great chance to reduce the deficit. A pass forward took the Distillery defence out of the game and left two attacking players with only Nicholl to beat but both Moyola players left the ball for the other and the Whites stopper claimed the ball in the end.

A few minutes later and Moyola were on the attack again down the left and once again found themselves with only the ‘keeper to beat but Nicholl stood his ground and was able to block the effort on goal.

Johnny Clapham’s side were eventually able to add to their lead and effectively put the game to bed in the 68^th minute. Substitute Conlon crossed into the box from the right, the ball was headed away from goal by a defender but only as far as Bennett who shot first time past Harbinson and into the back of the net to make it 3-0.

After this it looked more like the Whites would extend their lead and in the 76^th minute some great work from Bennett saw him turn a Moyola defender near the halfway line and set off towards goal. The former Ballymacash player played a one-two with Withers and attempted to shoot across goal but Harbinson was able to hold the ball this time.

The fourth goal did came with less than ten minutes on the clock, some great work from Caoelain Young saw him win the ball back from a Moyola defender in the final third and he passed to Bennett who ran into the box. The new signing feigned to cross towards the back post but took the ball around the final opposition defender and chipped the ball over Harbinson to score his second goal of the game and his fourth in two games since signing.

Moyola were able to pull a goal back in the 89^th minute when Nicholl did well to save one effort but could not hold the ball and substitute Daniel Barfoot was on hand to score the rebound. It was the only slight blemish on an otherwise perfect day for the Whites.

In the end the three points was enough for Distillery to leapfrog Moyola into 7^th spot on goal difference and was a great response to the defeat against Dollingstown. Next week sees a break from league action as we face Glentoran Seconds in the Intermediate Cup at New Grosvenor.

Full-time: Moyola Park 1-4 Lisburn Distillery

Lisburn Distillery substitutes; Pollock, Grattan, Angus, Irvine (for O’Hanlon, 82 mins), Conlon (for McAuley, 66 mins), Young (for Withers, 79 mins)