Tobermore United v Lisburn Distillery (McComb’s Intermediate Cup 2nd Round) – Saturday 2nd December 2023
After a three-week break Lisburn Distillery returned to action on Saturday with a trip to Fortwilliam Park to face Tobermore United in the 2nd round of the Intermediate Cup.
There were some changes to the side that lost against Rosemount Rec at the beginning of last month, there was a welcome return to the side for Adam McCart who was featuring for the first time this season and Conor McDermott also returned to the starting eleven along with Jamie Devenny.
Unfortunately, the game could not have gotten off to a worse start for Barry Johnston’s side as they found themselves behind with just three minutes on the clock. Owen McKeown beat McCart for pace down the left and sent a low cross into the box that Daniel McIlhatton converted at the back post.
Five minutes after going behind in the game Distillery had their first real attack of note but when Devenny got on the end of a flicked Ryan McNickle header a well-timed tackle from an opposition player stopped the Whites attacker from getting his shot off. A minute later, at the other end, Craig Robinson was called into action to hold a long-range effort after Distillery had carelessly lost the ball in their own half.
Devenny was involved again in the 13th minute when he tried to get onto a pass into the box but this time his progress was halted by the Tobermore goalkeeper, Tom Hegan, who raced off his line to snuff out the danger.
It was almost 2-0 after 15 minutes with what would have been a carbon copy of Tobermore’s first goal, but this time Johnny Angus was able to make a good tackle to keep the Whites just one goal behind.
Distillery did equalise with 18 minutes played, they were awarded a free kick about 30 yards fromThe goal and Gerard Storey’s low shot into the bottom corner was out of Hegan’s reach and brought Distillery back on level terms.
After equalising Distillery began to take control of the game and before the half hour mark McDermott had a shot from the edge of the box blocked by a Tobermore defender and McNickle sent his scissor kick from a McDermott cross just inches wide of Hegan’s left hand post.
Hegan was also called into action to deny both McDermott and a swerving long range shot from Storey.
At this time, Distillery were well on top, but it was the home side who would score next, four minutes before half time. A free kick from the left was headed towards goal by McIlhatton and Declan Martin was on hand to ensure the ball crossed the line to restore Tobermore’s lead.
Distillery went close to equalising for the second time of the game in first half injury time, McNickle and Devenny linked up and the latter sent a deep cross into the box that was met by the head of Dean Lewis, but the ball was cleared almost off the line for a corner, which came to nothing.
Much to the Whites frustration they went into the half time interval a goal down despite having dominated for a large period of the half after going behind early on.
Half Time: Tobermore United 2-1 Lisburn Distillery
The second half started and after no real opportunities presented themselves for Distillery to equalise, Johnston made his first chance when he brought on another attacker in the shape of Michael Gallagher for Johnny Newell.
Despite plenty of huffing and puffing Distillery had no real sights on goal and it was Tobermore who almost extended their lead, but Storey was on hand to clear a header following a corner off the line.
It was 3-1 just two minutes later, McKeown once again managed to get past McCart, this time down the right, though on this occasion there was a clear tug on the Whites captain’s shirt that the referee seemed not to notice. McKeown sprinted goalwards and eventually passed to Gary Keane who finished past Robinson to all but put the game to bed.
In the 71st and 77th minute, McNickle had two great opportunities to reduce the deficit but his first shot from a cross from the left was deflected behind for a corner and the second the number nine missed the target after he managed to get past the ‘keeper and the ball had deflected nicely into his path.
Eventually time was called on another disappointing afternoon for Distillery who now have nothing but the league to focus on this season, starting with a return to New Grosvenor next Saturday to face Armagh City.
Full Time: Tobermore United 3-1 Lisburn Distillery
Lisburn Distillery; Robinson, McDermott, Hoy, Angus, McCart ©, Newell, Grattan, Lewis, McNickle, Storey, Devenny
Lisburn Distillery substitutions; Carry, Woods (for Hoy, 63 mins), Gallagher (for Newell, 50 mins), Sharkey, Lundy (for McDermott, 85 mins)
Match report by Cameron Moore (@cameron2604)
David Hunter’s picture gallery from this game can be found @ https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB5ABB
