Match Report v Tobermore United (h) 13/4/24

Lisburn Distillery v Tobermore United (Playr-Fit Teamwear Premier Intemediate League) — Saturday 13th April 2024

At the start of this game, the Whites found themselves down in 12th place in the PIL following last week’s results. With only four games remaining and difficult fixtures ahead against League leaders Limavady and Armagh, a good result was definitely required.

Team changes saw the inclusion of Joe Tully and Dean Lewis (back from suspension) at the expense of Jonny Newell and Jamie Devenny who both dropped to the bench.

The visitors had a lively start in the blustery conditions but Tom Patchett missed a good chance in the opening minute. Gareth McFadden blazed over ten minutes later. The Whites first real effort saw Ryan McNickle burst through after 15 mins but he was forced wide by the keeper. Then Ethan Carry got in on the action saving from Keenan McLaran. Joe Tully put Jack Berry through and he cut in from the left to see his shot well saved by the Conor Brown. Patchett picked up a loose ball jut inside the Whites half and tried to chip Carry from long-range, but his effort went wide. The Whites then started to get to grips with the game with Gerard Storey shooting wide just before they opened the scoring in the 31st minute. Tully once again put Jack Berry through on the left with an excellent pass. He ran on to draw the keeper out and cross for Ryan McNickle to tap in his 16th goal of the season.

It was virtually all Distillery for the next ten minutes with Jack Berry being in the thick of all the attacking action, and also finding time to track back to put in a great defensive tackle. In the dying moments of the first half the visitors responded and after Keenan McLaran put a snapshot just over the bar, Tom Patchett equalised from close in. With this coming just before the halftime whistle it was a very disappointing end to the half for the Whites.

Half-Time: Lisburn Distillery 1-1 Tobermore United

The second half opened with Storey blasting wide and McNickle having a shot blocked. Then on 51 minutes, an injury saw Eoin Gillan replaced by Timothy McClure for the visitors. After 60 minutes there was the first yellow card of the day when McFadden was booked for a foul on McNickle.

Shortly after this Tully fired one over the bar and Berry had a shot blocked. In between Bobby Geddis cleared a dangerous cross at the other end. Storey then had a couple of efforts that were wide of the mark. Carry was called into action to avert a dangerous situation midway through the half just before the visitors Zach McKenna was booked for kicking the ball away. Ryan McNickle then saw another shot blocked by the keeper’s legs.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining Barry Johnston made his first substitutions of the game, bringing on Jamie Devenny and Jonny Newell for Jack Berry and Justin Grattan. Immediately Tobermore had a great chance but Carry saved well from Patchett.

In the 82nd minute the Whites scored what was to be the winner. A cross by Josh Lynch from the left was cleared back out of the area to Joe Tully and he belted a 20-yarder straight into the bottom right-hand corner of the net through a ruck of players. Storey tried to increase the lead with a couple of shots from outside the area before Tobermore put on pressure in the dying five minutes. They brought on Ciaran McKeever for McLaran and went for an equaliser. Daniel McIllhatton had his shot tipped over by Carry, then McKenna shot over the bar. Geddis then cleared a dangerous situation in a spell late attack by the visitors.

In the last minute of added-time the Whites broke away to force a corner and following this Storey went down in the box only to be booked by the referee for diving. The last kick of the match saw a good effort from Tully saved by Brown at full stretch.

This hard-earned 2-1 victory combined with other results saw the Whites leap up to 10th place. And more importantly secure relegation safety.

Full-Time: Lisburn Distillery 2-1 Tobermore United

Lisburn Distillery; Carry ©, Lewis, Geddis, Brennan, Whiteway, Lynch, Berry, Grattan, McNickle, Storey, Tully.

Lisburn Distillery substitutions; McConnellogue, Woods, Sharkey, Devenny (for Grattan 80 mins), Newell (for Berry 80 mins), Angus, McCart.