Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Terence Mann, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Terence Mann

"Four-midable Whites" was a popular headline after Lisburn Distillery started their Carnegie Premier League campaign in style, running out 4-1 winners against Coleraine thanks to a brace each from Andrew Waterworth and Gary Browne.

It was an impressive performance and after Jody Toland had an early chance for the visitors, the ball ran away from him after he had broken through, the Whites applied all the pressure. Mark Cooling and Gary Browne both had efforts before skipper Wayne Buchanan sent a header past Davy O'Hare which crashed back out of the crossbar on 23 minutes.

Coleraine were being stretched and on 30 minutes the Whites took the lead thanks to a super finish from Waterworth.The ball was knocked in behind the Bannsiders defence and the number nine blasted the ball past O'Hare to give his side a deserved lead. At this stage there was only one team in it but then, out of the blue, Coleraine equalised.Stephen Carson got a cross in from the left and Trevor Hutchinson slid in to put the ball into the net.That gave the home side a lift in the fortieth minute and they finished the half strongly.

Seven minutes after the break the Whites took the lead again - Waterworth was sent crashing to the ground as he was actually going away from goal and Browne confidently sent the spot kick into the corner as O'Hare went in the opposite direction. Two-one up and a good platform to build from, but David Patton then put the ball wide at Matthews near post (60 mins) and McCallion fired wide (64 mins) for Coleraine before the Whites netted their third and never looked back.Substitute Julian Ward broke down the right and his low-cross was superbly finished off by Browne who smashed the ball on the volley, into the net, from eight yards out.

That was that on seventy minutes and it looked to have killed off the home side, but the Whites had other ideas and weren't content to stop there. On seventy-seven minutes John Neill headed a Buchanan header off the line at the near post before Waterworth netted the goal of the game on 82 minutes. He broke down the left, defender Kyle McVey in his wake, before cutting inside to bury the ball into the top of the net to round off an excellent league start for the Whites.

There is a long road ahead, the Whites however sit proudly on top of the league tonight.Incidentally, the Whites last won here 4-1 towards the start of the 2002-2003 season, that season they finished third - that would probably be acceptable at the end of this season but maybe not if performances like this are the order of the day!

Coleraine - O'Hare, Clanachan (Watt 86), Cassidy, McLaughlin, McVey, Neill (Anderson 78), Hutchinson, D. Patton, Tolan (Whitehead 86), McCallion, Carson. Subs not used: Gaston, Heneghan

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, McMenamin (Thompson 60), Ferguson, Ryan McCann, Buchanan, Muir, Kilmartin (Ward 76), Peter McCann, Waterworth (Armour 84), Browne, Cooling. Subs not used - Magee, Allen.

Referee: Alan Black (Antrim)

Images strictly copyright - David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Official Club and First Team Sponsor of Lisburn Distillery

Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, Jonathan Irwin and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

The Muir the merrier was doubtless the feeling on the minds of the Lisburn Distillery support on Saturday as defender Paul Muir was on hand again to score the winning goal and in doing so keep up the Whites 100% start to the new league season.

This game had started off as a clash between first and second placed in the table and based on the level of play in the opening forty-five minutes it was the team who entered the game on top of the league who seemed set to retain their lofty league position. Lisburn Distillery dominated the opening forty-five minutes from the off and had their first clear cut chance after twelve minutes when, following a Newry corner, a quick break allowed Andy Waterworth to use his pace to outstrip the visitors defence but then, just as he was about to pull the trigger, one of the Newry defenders who had rushed back was able to get a touch on the ball and the end result was that the shot was deflected onto the side of the post instead of going in.

Lisburn Distillery were well in control by this time but Newry were almost allowed a chance when keeper Phil Matthews made a dreadful throw-out and had to rely on Michael Ferguson to clear up the resulting threat. On 28 minutes a minor melee developed in the centre of the pitch when Richard Clarke received a blow to the head whenever both he and Andy Kilmartin jumped for the ball. The Newry players felt Kilmartin had acted outside of the law by using his elbow and the resultant melee saw a lot of players involved but thankfully no major talking points resulted. The Whites' next chance fell to Andrew Waterworth on 30 minutes, with the hard working striker seeing his effort parried away by visiting goalkeeper, Robert Robinson. Lisburn Distillery were the team on the up at this time but didn't have anything to show for their efforts but this was to change a couple of minutes later when a through ball from Kilmartin sent Waterworth clear, a Newry defender clipped his heels, not once but twice, and the referee gave a free kick out wide on the edge of the box.

Up stepped Gary Browne, his inch perfect cross was met by an unstoppable Paul Muir header to put the Whites 1-0 up. This was big Paul's third goal of the season, all three of them coming from powerful headers and hopefully we will see this continue as the season develops. Just as half time approached former Whiteman James "Bo" Willis went down after a fifty-fifty challenge and the big striker appeared to pick up a major knee injury - as a result he was stretchered off just before the break.

The second half saw Newry play with much more urgency as they tried to get back into the game but with Willis missing up front, their attacks seemed to lack that cutting edge. They did however have a clear chance on 72 minutes when the ball broke loose to Steven Ferguson but he somehow managed to screw his shot wide of the target. Just before that Peter McCann should really have sealed the game for the home side missing a good chance from 12 yards out following some good work on the wing from Ferguson. Nathan McConell then almost had an early impact when, minutes after coming on as sub, he jinked well into the box and unleashed a decent strike only to see it turned aside by the visiting keeper.

And so the Whites held on to win 1-0 with a double bonus being that this was only their second clean sheet against senior opposition this season which can only build confidence in the defence. Six points then from two games and although results elsewhere saw Lisburn Distillery slip to second place in the table it is still a very impressive start to the new league campaign

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, Thompson, Buchanan, Muir, M.Ferguson, P.McCann, R.McCann, Kilmartin, Cooling (Ward 63), Waterworth, Browne (McConnell 83). Subs not used - McMenamin, Dixon, Allen

Newry City - Robinson, Hudson, E.Friars, Curran, McDonnell, Clarke, Donegan, S.Ferguson (Anderson 76), Willis (Garrett 45), S.Friars (Prigent 84), King. Subs not used - Keegan, Smith

Official Club and First Team Sponsor of Lisburn Distillery

Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Terence Mann, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Terence Mann

Don't be misled, the headline after today's round of Carnegie Premier League games was a simple one - "Whites go top" - and to do that they had to come back from 2-1 down against a battling Glenavon side that was three minutes away from a draw, before Julian Ward fired home the winner.

The game eventually came to life when the Whites took the lead on 36 minutes. Peter McCann broke down the left past Adrian Harper, Paul Rice came out to block but the ball came back out to Gary Browne who then went round the keeper.With two defenders between him and the goal he laid a simple pass across the area and Andrew Waterworth had a rather easy finish on this occasion, firing into the net from ten yards out.

The home side came back though within five minutes - a foul was conceded on the left hand side, Gerard McMahon sent the kick into the box, centre-back Gavin McDonnell headed the ball down and his fellow centre-back Johnny Cowan slotted home from close range. This gave the home side a lift and the Whites also then lost young midfielder Mark Cooling with a head injury, Julian Ward coming on as his replacement.

The Whites were almost two-down a matter of few minutes into the second-half, the impressive Eamon Murray was making his mark in right midfield for Colin Malone's side and he cut inside before sending his shot across the across the goal but it bounced back off the post and was cleared. The home fans disappointment evaporated on 49 minutes though as a long range effrot from Neill Gawley stayed low and went in past a bemused Phil Matthews.

It was nip and tuck after that, Waterworth putting a header wide of the target following a great cross from the right.Glenavon still kept pushing forward and then Ward was sent to crashing a few yards outside the box. Browne stepped up, he weighed up the scenario before comprehensively beating Rice with the free-kick for the equaliser on 70 minutes,

At that stage both sides would probably have settled for the draw, but they both kept going and it was the industry and skill of Peter McCann that created the dramatic winner three minutes from the end of normal time. He beat Barry Meehan at left back before coming inside - as McDonnell stretched to challenge, McCann laid the ball inside to Ward who swivelled to shoot home from close range to put the Whites top and stun Glenavon.

With Paul Kirk missing following his hernia operation, assistant manager Ronnie Cromie was delighted to see the Whites go top, his only regret was that now wasn't the end of April! It's first versus second again at New Grosvenor next week with the visit of Glentoran, but, as the table sits tonight, Lisburn Distillery top it thanks to a battling come back that says much about the character within the side at present.

Team line-ups to follow

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, Jonathan Irwin and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

The much anticipated top of the table clash between Lisburn Distillery and Glentoran promised much but in the end delivered little for the home support as the visitors inflicted a fourth defeat of the season against the Whites - in so doing they leap-frogged them to top place in the league table.

As manager Paul Kirk has pointed out on several previous occasions, the secret to beating the bigger sides is to keep a defensively tight ship and when goal scoring chances come along make sure you take them. Put simply against Glentoran the Whites failed on both counts with the nett result being another defeat and an end to their unbeaten start to the league in the process.

The game was as good as lost as early as the seventh minute when the Lisburn Distillery defence seemed to take on the role of waxwork models as Paul Leeman was allowed (for the second time this season) to stroll into the heart of the home penalty area before powering in a close range header from Kyle Neill's corner. This scenario has happened on too many occasions already this season and needs to be sorted out urgently if the side are to progress as hoped for.

The Whites did have a gilt-edged chance on 14 minutes to level the game when a great through ball from Peter McCann saw Nathan McConell one on one with Dougherty in the Glentoran goal but a weak effort meant that the former Lisburn Distillery custodian came out on top and the chance was gone. A couple of minutes later, Lady Luck almost smiled on the Whites when a Paul Muir free kick was deflected goalward by a Glentoran defender but once again Dougherty was able to gather easily. After that it was Glentoran who looked the most likely to score with Hamilton unlucky when his shot cannoned off the Distillery cross bar and went over

Lisburn Distillery however held on and hopes were high that they could lift their game in the second half, however it was not to be and on 63 minutes the game was put beyond them as following a good cross from David Scullion, defender Michael Ferguson attempted to intercept and was unlucky to see his effort completely deceive Phil Matthews and end off in the back of the his team's own net.

Lisburn Distillery seemed dead and buried but they were given a lifeline on 69 minutes when referee Mark Courtney gave them a penalty following a Kyle Neill tackle on Andy Waterworth. Waterworth himself stepped up and blasted the resulting spot kick home and a glimmer of hope re-appeared. As it was however, despite the introduction of the lively Curtis Allen and Mark Cooling, the Whites couldn't make another breakthrough and the Glens went home with the points.

It wasn't a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination, Glentoran came and put on a solid professional performance and the Whites simply didn't have the craft or skill to break them down on the day. Interestingly enough the Whites have now lost four games in all competitions this season and all four of those defeats have been at the hands of Glentoran and until we learn to start turning those losses into at the very least draws then we might have to wait a little longer to get our hands on some much sought after silverware.

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, Magee, Ferguson (Johnston 89), P.McCann, Buchanan, Muir, Kilmartin, R McCann, Waterworth, McConnell (Allen 66), J.Ward (Cooling 78). Subs not used: Youle, Wright.

Glentoran - Dougherty, Nixon, Neill, Leeman, Fordyce, S.Ward, Halliday, Hamilton, Scullion, Fitzgerald (Berry 72), M.Ward (Hamill 90). Subs not used: Morris, Hill, Morgan,

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, Jonathan Irwin and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

It was a nice pleasant October Saturday afternoon as Lisburn Distillery chose to kick off this game against their old friends, Crusaders. The ball was placed on the centre spot, the referee blew his whistle to commence proceedings and play commenced - and by the time you have spent twelve seconds reading my opening two lines of introduction to this game the Whites were one- nil up!

In a blistering start, fans were still finding their way to their seats when a through-ball found Lisburn Distillery forward Andy Waterworth out on the wing and his pinpoint cross was met perfectly by young Mark Cooling at the back post, and his well placed header gave the Whites a perfect start. Twelve seconds is all it took for that early lead to be gained and with that time a new Lisburn Distillery scoring record may have been created - well I certainly can't think of a quicker goal in all my years of following the club although possibly our statisticians might beg to differ?

After that early goal the sides tended to cancel one another out for the remainder of the first half although Phil Matthews had to be alert to palm away a goal bound effort on 26 minutes and then again had react well to dive at the feet of a Ryan Tumilty as he was just about to shoot after 36 minutes. Crusaders however weren't exerting too much pressure on the Lisburn Distillery defence and time after time well positioned free-kicks were being wasted by the home strike force. The Whites themselves seldom threatened the home goal although Darren Armour was busy constantly chasing down the Crusaders defenders. He did however pick up a yellow card for his troubles following a hefty challenge on an opposing player just before the half-time break.

Armour's persistence finally paid off however in the second half when, on the hour, he chased down a back pass to the Crusaders goalkeeper Greg Shannon and the attempted clearance by the home custodian hit the advancing Armour before finding its way into the net. Two-nil then and that second goal seemed to spark the home side more into life as they tried to claw their way back into the game and were only thwarted once again by some good saves by Matthews and some hard work by the Lisburn Distillery defence.

Then on 81 minutes it was game over, as substitute Curtis Allen struck a free kick from 25 yards which found its' way, with a helpful deflection, into the back of the Crusaders goal. This was Allen's first goal for the club since joining recently from Bournemouth and doubtless the Lisburn Distillery faithful will be hoping that it is the first of many to come.

One downside though to a decent performance was still to come however, as once again, the Whites failed to claim a clean sheet conceding an 89th minute consolation goal from a Crusaders corner and a Darren Lockhart header which really 'keeper Phil Matthews should have done better with.

At full-time, it was 3-1 then to the Whites who, after this game, are still only one point off the summit of the Carnegie Premier League although their next league game, against Cliftonville, be doubtless be a better test of how exactly this season is going to pan out for the club.

Team: Matthews, Magee, Ferguson, Muir, Buchanan, P.McCann, R.McCann, Kilmartin, Cooling, Armour, Waterworth
Subs: Allen (for Armour), Ward (for Cooling), Shaw (for Waterworth), McMenamin, Maano,

Images strictly copyright - David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Official Club and First Team Sponsor of Lisburn Distillery

Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, Jonathan Irwin and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

Given the fact that both sides were chasing hard at the top end of the Premier league table going into this game, many would have expected an entertaining encounter but in the end fans of both sides had to settle for a dour game where both sides managed to cancel each other out for much of the match.

The game had started brightly, Cliftonville were first to have an early opening when former Lisburn Distillery player John Martin lobbed the ball goalward only to see it rebound to safety off the crossbar and then Phil Matthews had to be alert to save an effort off the goal-line.At the other end Whites' striker Gary Browne had a couple of clear openings but failed to make the most of the opportunities when they came his way.

After that initial flurry the game settled into one of few opportunities with the away side coming closest to breaking the deadlock on 27 minutes when their forward Chris Scannell found himself one on one with the Lisburn Distillery keeper but thankfully for the Whites the last line of defence stood firm before diving to make a great stop with his feet. There was very little between the sides at this time but then on 33 minutes came the first of two substitutions that were to change the face of the game when in-form Lisburn Distillery forward Andy Waterworth was forced to leave the field of play due to injury. Initially his departure didn't make much difference and indeed only five minutes later the Whites were awarded a penalty when Cliftonville defender Barry Johnston was adjudged to have held Whites forward Gary Browne in the penalty area and the home side were awarded a spot kick. Browne got up to duly dispatch and give the home side a one goal lead which they held onto until half time.

The second half saw Cliftonville press hard for an equaliser but the Whites defence was holding firm although far too much of the game was being played in the Lisburn Distillery last third of the pitch which was a constant cause of concern for the home support. Then on 60 minutes that second substitution occurred when forward Gary Browne was forced to leave the field due to a back problem with this in turn meaning the Whites had only recognised forward on the pitch in Curtis Allen and even he was only in his fourth game for the club. Lisburn Distillery therefore had little option but to try hold a tight midfield but this game plan was unravelled on 69 minutes when Cliftonville equalised through a neat finish from substitute Stephen O'Neill.

It was all Cliftonville at this time and although they were not creating that many opportunities they were to go on to lift all three points when a complete mix-up between Whites' keeper Phil Matthews and skipper Wayne Buchanan allowed another former Distillery player, Mark Holland, to pick up the loose ball and comfortably slide the ball into the net.
Without their usually experienced frontline the Whites never looked like clawing the deficit back and in the end the home side left the pitch knowing a game that could have been won had been thrown away. Lisburn Distillery supporters know that if the side is to make a genuine challenge for honours this season then they really do need to up their game when they play the better sides in the league, this game proved they have still a way to go to reach those aspirations.

Team: Matthews, Magee, Youle, Muir, Buchanan, P.McCann, R.McCann, Ward, Cooling, Browne, Waterworth
Subs: Allen (for Waterworth), Shaw (for Browne), Kilmartin (for Ward), McMenamin, Thompson

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, Jonathan Irwin and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

Considering that the Whites had been to play Linfield at Windsor Park only some ten days previous and had been hammered 5-1 there was probably only one priority for the return trip, that being to leave with our pride intact and it would be fair to say that we achieved just that after a decent display.

Whereas last time Lisburn Distillery had came and attempted to play their usual passing game of football against Linfield, this time it was clear that on this occasion that there was a definite change in the game plan as the Whites arrived with a formation which came with only one thing in mind, to stifle the Linfield attack and to hopefully hit our hosts on the break. The game plan started well enough as, despite a lot of Linfield pressure, the Lisburn Distillery defence stood resolute and this remained the case until the 25th minute when Mark Dickson was on hand to score after the Whites had failed to clear a Linfield corner which in turn allowed Glenn Ferguson to set up Dickson for the opener.

Prior to that Linfield had created quite a few openings with Lisburn Distillery being restricted to a third minute Peter McCann effort which was saved by Alan Mannus. After Linfield had scored, Lisburn Distillery continued to stick to their initial game plan although it was soon becoming clear that if they were to get anything out of the game then a change of tactics would be required.

That change came about at half-time with the Whites entering the second half with a switch of tactics and a renewed determination to claw their way back into the game. An early reward for the change was almost forthcoming when Gary Browne and Stephen Shaw interacted well and the Linfield defence had to be alert to stop Browne getting a shot away. Then from the resulting corner Ryan McCann's effort was saved by Mannus in the home goal. Then, with only four minutes played in the second half, the Whites did manage to draw level when, following some good work by Shaw, the ball was crossed into the Linfield penalty area and when Mannus went to claim it, a challenge from Julian Ward forced him into dropping the ball and Peter McCann was on hand to slide the ball home to tie the game. As expected this goal drew a response from the home side although it must be said Lisburn Distillery were giving as good as they got but then all those efforts were knocked back when once again, for the umpteenth time in the last couple of months, they were unable to defend an opposition corner and Peter Thompson rose to head the ball home and restore the Linfield lead.

The Whites, to their credit, didn't let that set back affect them though and they continued to press forward with a decent effort by debutant James Wright being well saved by Mannus in the home goal and then on 84 minutes the Whites were denied a strong penalty claim when Nathan McConnell was sent tumbling down in the Linfield box but the referee waved play on. Lisburn Distillery fans were still remonstrating over the lack of the penalty being awarded when Glenn Ferguson then appeared to be tripped in the visitors' penalty area and on this occasion it was a sigh of relief as the referee once again opted to play on. After that the Whites created one more chance through a Paul Muir header but in the end, although it was a much improved performance, they were unable to take anything away for their efforts.

Team: Matthews, McMenamin, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, P.McCann, R.McCann, Ward, Wright, Shaw, Browne
Subs: McConnell (for Wright), Kilmartin, Youle, Murdoch, Johnston

and to add to the debate on Lisburn Distillery claims for a second-half penalty, here are two additional perspectives.

All images are strictly copyright

Official Club and First Team Sponsor of Lisburn Distillery

Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, Jonathan Irwin and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

In a week where the best snooker players in the world had been in the province to compete for the Northern Ireland trophy, it was possibly appropriate that the green baize of New Grosvenor also saw a game which was very much affected by a number of fouls and the constant use of the colours of red and yellow.

The game had kicked off without any hint of the excitement to come and for the majority of the first half the two sides tended to cancel one another out although both sides had a few chances to take a lead. Portadown has the first chance of note when Phil Matthews fluffed a clearance on nine minutes but thankfully the Ports were unable to capitalise and then returning former Whiteman, Conor Hagan, almost scored from a corner but he saw his header go agonisingly wide of the upright in the 26th minute. Jim McMenamin was first to see yellow and then Ryan McCann followed on 27 minutes as the Whites tried to up the tempo. However these efforts were to be in vain, firstly Gary Browne (30 minutes) and then Andy Waterworth both tested visiting keeper David Miskelly who reacted well on both occasions to keep the match goal-less. The tempo had however arisen by that stage and with it the attitude of the players with some tough challenges coming in from both sides although as the half time whistle was sounded the game remained without a goal to report.

The second half started where the first had left off with passions a little high and a tempo to match and on 52 mins a breakthrough almost came when a Gary Browne free kick evaded the Portadown defence but once again there was no-one in a Whites' shirt to help it home. Seven minutes later and the real story of the game began to be written, it appeared that Portadown midfielder Michael Collins had spoken out of turn and referee Adrian McCourt duly produced a yellow card followed immediately by the first red card of the game much to the disbelief of his Portadown comrades. Thirty minutes were then left on the clock and with the Whites having a one man advantage things had started to turn the way of the home side but then, only two minutes later, Hagan clattered into Stuart Thompson and, with referee McCourt ready producing another yellow card, Lisburn Distillery midfielder Ryan McCann stupidly decided to take the law into his own hands by grabbing hold of the Portadown players shirt, leaving the referee no option but to give him a second yellow and subsequent red to leave the teams once again equally poised at ten a side for the remaining 28 minutes.

Both sides were really working hard for what would probably be a deciding goal but then on 71 minutes Portadown imploded again as Hagan retaliated after a tackle leaving the referee once again no option but to brandish a second yellow and subsequent red to the midfielder. Ten versus nine then for the last 19 minutes and by then it was Lisburn Distillery who were pressing hard for the winner which so nearly came when Gary Browne hit a tremendous goalbound free kick on 75 minutes only to see an equally tremendous save by Miskelly in the Ports goal.

Lisburn Distillery manager Paul Kirk had made two attacking substitutions by that stage in a bid to win the game and his tactics were rewarded at last in the 85th minute. Good work from Gary Browne out wide ended with a pass which had fallen behind his fellow striker Darren Armour, but the ball was only half cleared and Peter McCann was on hand to rifle home an absolute thunderbolt from all of 30 yards out into the roof of the Portadown net. It was the former Ports players' second goal in consecutive games for the Whites and with it went any chance Portadown had of taking anything from a pulsating game.

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, McMenamin (McConnell 76), Buchanan, Muir, Thompson, Shaw, R.McCann, P.McCann, Ward (Kilmartin 83), Waterworth (Armour 53), Browne, Unused Subs: Magee, Wright

Portadown - Miskelly, McKeown, Redman, Clarke, Convery, O'Hara, Hagan, Collins, Braniff, Smith, M.McCann (Derry 25,( McCutcheon )) Unused Subs: Armstrong, Topley, Craig,

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Terence Mann and David Hunter

Match Report from Terence Mann

Lisburn Distillery crashed to their first ever defeat at Holm Park in what was easily their worst league performance of the season. A combination of defensive blunders, a lack of discipline, some frustrating decisions and good second-half finishes from City striker Austin McCann made this a match to forget quickly.

City had set their stall out early, with the strong wind behind them they had five across the back clearly aiming to keep the Whites out, but that became irrelevant after only 26 minutes.The Whites were then two down after conceding two horrors at the back. Philip McBirney netted on 12 minutes when he flicked home a header at the near post, it ended up in the net despite keeper Phil Matthews efforts on the goal-line to keep it out. Fourteen minutes later Shane Conney netted the home sides' second, again from another corner and again the Whites' defensive efforts to keep out that one were similar to the first but the ball was adjudged to be over the line.

Stephen Shaw and Liam Cullen were then booked after an off the ball incident, the booking of Shaw seemed harsh but Armagh were allowed to continue play with eleven men. At that stage, two down, Whites' boss Paul Kirk decided the Whites had to get back into things and unfortunately youngster James Wright was the player who had to come off as striker Darren Armour came on in the 30th minute. Armour though only lasted four minutes, before he was red-carded. Trying to work the ball down the far touchline, he came in for a number of robust challenges from a City player and elbowed the player in retaliation. It was a clear red card, no excuses, and the Whites' hill to climb had now turned into a mountain. Even though the Whites had breached that five-man back-line in the half, Gary Browne had headed over, Jim McMenamin shot over and Andy Waterworth had beaten Stuart Addis but the keeper got back to make a vital save.

In the second-half the Whites never gave up working but with ten against eleven they were always vulnerable to the counter-attack and Austin McCann netted the home side's third on 59 minutes. Nathan McConnell pulled one back eleven minutes from time, a good finish from his left foot saw his volley flash into the roof of the net.Minutes later Browne sent Addis flying across his goal to keep out a vicious drive before McCann grabbed his second with a low drive from just inside the box in injury time to finish off a disastrous match for the Whites.

Armagh City - Addis, McBirney, T.Fitzpatrick, G Fitzpatrick, Turkington, Hawthorne, A.McCann, Cleary, Cullen, Coney, McGerrrigan

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, McMenamin (Dixon), Buchanan, Muir, Thompson, Wright (Armour 30) Shaw, P.McCann,Kilmartin, Waterworth (McConnell 74), Browne, Unused Subs: Magee, Johnston

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

The third day of this exciting third test match was brought to an early close today when the umpire deemed that the light was not good enough to allow play to continue and the game was brought to an abrupt end as "bad light stopped play".Well it might be a different sport that we usually hear these comments in connection with but it was indeed football on this occasion as they related to as a broken floodlight that brought an early end to the match between Lisburn Distillery and Ballymena United.

It was a disappointing end to what had been an entertaining closely fought game between two sides who tried to play their football in the right manner with both sides determined to get the ball down on the ground whenever possible.That said, chances early on were at a premium with neither side imposing their dominance on the game but it was the Whites who were to eventually break the deadlock when, after a good header through from Wayne Buchanan, Andy Waterworth's pace saw him drive out wide before delivering a great ball in to his fellow striker Gary Browne who sweetly drilled the ball home from 12 yards out. One nil then to the home side but the visitors were soon after back on level terms when Gavin Melaugh scored an equally fine goal following some nice work to make his way into the Lisburn Distillery penalty area.

One each then at half time but with a broken floodlight leaving a small part of the ground very dimly lit the referee opted to speak to both managers to indicate his concerns. Shortly after though the decision was made by the official to recommence play and the half continued despite the issue with the floodlight and the torrential rain that had started during the interval. The second half was still quite even with neither side dominating although Lisburn Distillery were looking the more likely to score and it was no surprise then when they re-took the lead when, following Andy Waterworth's driving run, the ball was crossed into the box and the United defender Johnny Flynn could do nothing but divert the ball into his own net.

Five minutes later and the game ended in farce as the referee decided to abandon the game due to the floodlight problem. Since half time the light had certainly not gotten any worse, indeed if anything considering the heavily leaden skies that had led to the downpour immediately after half time had now cleared, it could have been argued that the light was marginally better. Either way the referee had seen enough and much to the frustration of the home management and support the game was abandoned and now has to be replayed.

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, R.McCann, Ward, Shaw, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Maano (for Ward), Allen, McConnell , McMenamin, Magee

Note - after a league committee meeting the game between Lisburn Distillery and Ballymena Utd will be replayed - this result does not stand

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin.

Match Report from Edward White

Gary Browne's first hat-trick in Lisburn Distillery colours provided the Whites with a comprehensive away Premier League victory at Dungannon Swifts on this cold December evening.

The Swifts had started the game brightly and young Chris McCluskey making his debut in the Lisburn Distillery goal was soon into the action as he made excellent stops from the Swifts' McCaffrey and McAllister. Those early saves gave the young seventeen year-old goalkeeper an early injection of confidence and from there he went on to produce a very solid, and indeed promising, debut for the team.

After that early burst the game settled into a rhythm with neither side able to test the others defence in what was proving to be a high tempo encounter and that continued to be the case until the 32nd minute when a well driven Paul Muir free kick forced the home keeper Dwayne Nelson into a fine stop to keep the teams level. Three minutes later another Lisburn Distillery chance went begging when a fine run by Gary Browne the ball was passed to the feet of his fellow striker Andy Waterworth but just as he was about to pull the trigger a Dungannon defender got back to clear.

No goals then at half time and the second half then began in a similar fashion to the first with the home side coming out all guns blazing and the Whites struggling to get out of their own half. Then on 52 minutes the entire face of the game began to change; Waterworth was fouled on the edge of the Dungannon penalty area, Browne stepped up and with a delightful finish placed the ball over the Dungannon defensive wall and into the corner of the net leaving Nelson in the home goal stranded. One-nil then to Lisbuen Distillery and their joy was to be doubled shortly afterward when Browne converted again, this time from the penalty spot on 54 minutes. The penalty had been awarded thanks once again to some great work from Waterworth whose fancy flick had left the Dungannon defence flat-footed and as he raced into the area Shea Campbell brought him down from behind giving the referee no option but to award the spot kick.

The Gary Browne hat-trick was completed on 87 minutes when once again his partnership with Waterworth bore fruit as the pacy forward outpaced the Dungannon defence again before crossing it in to Browne who tapped in comfortably from eight yards out.
For the Distillery faithful who had made the long trip on a cold winters night to Stangmore their journey home would have been much happier having witnessed a memorable hat-trick for Browne, a feat which now sees him top this season's list of Lisburn Distillery goalscorers on eight goals.

Team: McCluskey, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, R.McCann, Ward, Shaw, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Ferguson (for Ward) Magee (for Peter McCann), McConnell (for Browne), Allen, McMenamin,

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin.

Match Report from Edward White

There wasn't much Christmas cheer at New Grosvenor for the visitors Limavady United on this cold December afternoon as the home side hit them with a bunch of fives in this Carnegie Premier league contest, although if truth be told the bout was much closer than the final scoreline suggests.

United had started brightly enough and indeed for the first 25 minutes or so there was very little between the sides, a situation which changed dramatically after 29 minutes when the Whites were awarded a free kick on the edge of the United penalty area. Up stepped Gary Browne to curl the free-kick (his fourth goal in two games) into the back of the Limavady goal although the visiting keeper really should have done better.

United almost levelled just six minutes later when Conor Lynch headed goalward only to see home keeper Philip Matthews acrobatically stretch back to tip the ball over the bar. Then, just as the game headed towards half-time, the Whites scored a second; a long throw in from Stephen Shaw was headed on by Stuart Thompson and Andy Waterworth was on hand, just a yard out, to tap the ball over the line.

Two nil at half time and the game was as good as over on 51 minutes when a static Limavady defence stood still as the ball came in from a Lisburn Distillery corner and the somewhat surprised Paul Muir rose unchallenged to plant an easy header home. Credit though at this time to Limavady who didn't lie down but pressed hard to get back into the game and once again Lynch should have done better when well placed and then the Whites' Thompson had to be alert to clear the ball off the goal-line. Any hopes though of a United fight back however were finally quenched when Distillery skipper Wayne Buchanan scored his second of the season when he glanced a header over the top of the stranded United keeper. Four nil then to the Whites and things went from bad to worse for the Roesiders when Matt Crossan was sent off on 67 minutes.

From there on in the Whites toyed with the Roesiders and were content to simply play keep-ball for most of the remainder of the game although a fifth goal did eventually come on 88 minutes when midfielder Stephen Shaw's shot bounced over the despairing Glenn Millar in the United goal and it would be fair to say Millar will not be in the mood to remember this display.

This win took the Whites back into the top four and doubtless Paul Kirk will be going all out to ensure they keep up this good form over the Christmas period.

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, R.McCann, Ward, Shaw, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Ferguson (for Ward), Allen (for Waterworth), McMenamin (for P.McCann), McConnell , Magee

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

Lisburn Distillery lost this re-arranged game and as a result slipped down one place in the league table to fifth.It was a bitter blow following some great back to back results but more so because of the background to the game.To recap, when these sides had originally met on 1st December, Lisburn Distillery had been leading 2-1 when the referee opted to call the game off due to a problem with one of the eight floodlight pylons with only 13 minutes left on the clock.

The Whites therefore took to the pitch having to try to do it all again and for the first half looked more than capable of doing just this as they completely dominated the opening period although when they did test Paul Murphy on two occasions they could not get past him. Murphy rose to deny Paul Muir after only three minutes into the game, throwing himself across the goal to keep out Muir's goalbound header. Then Andy Waterworth had a good effort on 18 minutes, when he shrugged defender Albert Watson off the ball but his shot was well parried by the Ballymena keeper. Then right on the stroke of half time a Paul Muir free kick shaved the Ballymena crossbar leaving us goal-less at half time.

Lisburn Distillery were on top at that time but their fans were shocked when they failed to come out for the second half allowing United to capitalise big time and if there was ever a game of two halves, this was surely it..

On 47 minutes United saw one effort brilliantly headed off the goal-line by Wayne Buchanan and then a minute later it was United's turn to hit the bar, David Cushley the player concerned. By this time Lisburn Distillery were hanging on by a thread but that slender support was only to last another two more minutes before it snapped and Kevin Kelbie was allowed to drift into the Lisburn Distillery penalty box and toe poke the ball home past the advancing Phil Matthews in the Whites' goal. The Whites seemed shell shocked by this and it wasn't a surprise when it became 2-0 nine minutes when David Cushley finished off a Stephen Lowry cross with a glancing header. The second goal knocked the stuffing out of Lisburn Distillery and what must have been most worrying for manager Paul Kirk was the lack of fight displayed by the team who just seemed to give up the ghost when they fell two goals behind.

The rest of the game fizzled out from that point with the only other point of note being the sending off of Whites' midfielder Ryan McCann who was adjudged to have elbowed Lowry. All in all a game best forgotten and it's back to the drawing board for the festive season.

Team: Matthews, Magee, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, R.McCann, Ferguson, Shaw, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: McConell, McMenamin, Johnston, Allen, Murdock

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

This last game before the start of the Christmas period was as good as over as early as the 18th minute as the Whites, courtesy of two Gary Browne goals, burst into a two goal lead and from there on in were content to sit in second gear and see out the match.

Larne has arrived at New Grosvenor bottom of the table and with a new manager, Tommy Leeman, watching from the sidelines. Doubtless he will have left New Grosvenor with a much clearer idea of the enormous task in hand if he is to salvage Larne's season as his side were simply swept away by Lisburn Distillery and the only surprise was that the final score only showed a two goal winning margin.

The opening goal had came after twelve minutes when the Larne defence failed to clear their lines from a Lisburn Distillery throw and Browne was on hand to prod the ball over the line and then minutes later the game was effectively over as Browne added a second. On that occasion Nathan McConnell, who was playing an unusual position in midfield, delivered a perfect pass onto the foot of the advancing Browne who placed the ball home with ease. These two goals took Browne's tally up to eleven which, considering we are still to reach the half way stage of the this season's league campaign, has been a great return thus far for the former Glentoran player who only joined the club in the summer.

Larne tried to get back into the game at this point and Phil Matthews in the Lisburn Distillery goal had to produce a great save to keep out a well struck Larne effort after 31 minutes and then blocked well after another well struck Larne chance on 33 minutes.

After that Larne posed little threat to the home defence and if any side should have scored it should have been the Whites - McConell, Kilmartin and Waterworth all had chances to add to the tally.

Two nil though it finished and Lisburn Distillery were back on track following their recent reversal against Ballymena. With three more games to be played over the Christmas period the Lisburn Distillery decision to play this game out in second gear may well be a wise choice

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, McConnell, Ferguson, Shaw, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Wright (for Shaw), Armour (for Brown), Youle (for McConnell), Allen, McMenamin,

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

Lisburn Distillery emerged with all three points from this match although in truth they were made to fight all the way by their opponents which was perhaps appropriate given that the game was played on Boxing Day.

The game had started fairly evenly and the Whites were fortunate not to go behind early on when their former player Sean Armstrong hit a great shot from all of 25 yards which cannoned off the Lisburn Distillery crossbar with Phil Matthews completely beaten. After this initial scare Lisburn Distillery, playing in their navy away strip, settled into the game and as the half developed began to take the upper hand. It was no surprise then, when on 20 minutes, that they did take the lead thanks to another classic Gary Browne free kick which he placed into the top corner of the Celtic net to score his 12th goal of the season. After this the Whites continued to dominate and should have gone 2-0 up on 36 minutes when, somehow, the recalled Dean Youle screwed the ball wide when it would have been easier to score and so Lisburn Distillery had to settle for the one goal lead at the break.

The second half continued where the first had left off with the Whites looking the better side and when goal number did come on 52 minutes, courtesy of a cool Andy Waterworth finish, the game looked well and truly won. Someone however didn't tell the home side the script and when they did pull one back on 58 minutes, through a fine finish by Ciaran Gargin, the entire complexion of the game changed. From being a beaten side Celtic raised their game and proceeded to take the game by the scruff on the neck as they went in search of an equaliser.

The Lisburn Distillery defence really had to earn their Christmas bonuses big time as they were put under the cosh with Matthews, Muir, Buchanan and Peter McCann constantly on the defensive. Then on 81 minutes referee Arnold Hunter opted to hand a second yellow card to a Celtic's Liam Bradley and with it a bit of brief respite for Lisburn Distillery although it should be said that even the sending off didn't prevent Celtic from chasing the game as a tally of six corners in injury time will testify.

The Whites however held firm and by doing so moved back into fourth place in the league table.
Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, Youle, Ferguson, Shaw, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Wright (for Thompson), Armour (For Youle), McMenamin (for Wright), McConnell, Allen

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Stanley Mann, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Stanley Mann

No goals in this one and to be truthful Lisburn Distillery never really looked like scoring.The same cannot however be said of the visitors, Institute, who made a welcome return to New Grosvenor after First Division action last season and they made the long journey home happy with a point but disappointed that they couldn't capitalise on the chances they created.

Ryan Semple posed a threat on the right wing for the visitors, he had a shot blocked early on before Stute keeper Michael Doherty almost let Andy Waterworth in. The keeper rushed out to clear but miskicked and Waterworth fired the ball past him and the covering defender but it went wide. Phil Matthews then kept the visitors out with a full-length dive across the goal to keep out an Andy Crawford header before another dangerous cross, a low one, this time from left winger Marty Cutmore skidded across the Whites' goal - fortunately there was no-one there to get the merest of touches.

Doherty then punched clear twice, the second from a downward header by Paul Muir, before David Ogilby slid in to cut out Waterworth's bye-line cross.The last action of the half came on 38 minutes when Michael Frguson linked up with Stephen Shaw but the latter's cross was headed clear for a corner.

Ferguson cleared Cutmore's cross on 50 minutes before Waterworth looked dangerous on two occasions before Stuart Thompson almost put the visitors in front.The Whites' full-back was powerless to stop Ogilby's header bouncing off him but luckily it went straight into the hands of Matthews.Stute substitute Ryan Campbell used his pace to break clear off the defence of 69 minutes, Matthews slid out to intercept but the ball broke for Campbell.He sent a shot past two defenders but it was going wide or so it seemed but Crawford slid in to connect with the ball and the Whites were relieved to see his effort go out of play via the post.

At this stage Pauk Kirk had gone 4-3-3 with the introduction of Darren Armour and Nathan McConnell but it was Ciaran Ferry who should have done better with an eight yard header on 75mins - again though Matthews was in the right spot to gather,

The Whites had a penalty appeal turend down on 79 minutes when Waterworth ended up on the deck and outside of Waterworth's angled drive on 84 minutes which was deflected for a corner that was the action at the day. Stute fans will be disappointed their side couldn't convert whilst Whites' fans will be delighted they didn't and hope that normal service will resume at Newry on New Year's Day.

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

"Four auld lang syne my dear, Four auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, Four auld lang syne!" - this variation of the traditional New Year anthem might well have been have been on the lips of the Lisburn Distillery support as they left the Newry Showgrounds on the first day of the new year in a happy mood having just watched, not only four great Distillery goals, but also one of the Whites best performances of the season so far.

This was a game that Lisburn Distillery had gone into knowing it would be a difficult encounter but on the day their performance ensured that, what should have been a difficult test, was overcame with ease such was the efforts and professionalism of the performance. The Whites had signalled their intent early on in the game with decent efforts from Gary Browne and Stuart Thompson but had to wait until the 21st minute to make the breakthrough. Paul Muir in the centre of the park picked out Stuart Thompson out wide with a great through ball and Thompson's well hit cross was superbly hammered home by the advancing Andy Waterworth

It could have been even worse for the home side shortly after that as Gary Browne saw his effort hit the Newry post before being cleared and Robinson in the Newry goal had to be alert on a couple of other occasions to keep the score down to a single goal.Waterworth was a constant thorn in Newry's side all day and it was no surprise when he scored his, and Lisburn Distillery's, second just before the break when on 41 minutes - a great through ball from Andy Kilmartin allowed Waterworth to use his pace to leave the Newry defence for dead before blasting an unstoppable shot past the despairing Robinson.

Two nil then at the break and the third was always going to come as Distillery continued to look menacing. Chances fell for McConell, Waterworth and a possible own goal and only Robinson and poor finishing was keeping it down to a two goal margin. The third goal eventually came on 66 minutes when McConnell was on hand to send the ball goalward following some nice work from Peter McCann and the rout was then completed on 87 minutes when substitute Mark Cooling marked his return to the side after injury with a fine solo effort.

Newry did pull one back through Mickey Collins in injury time but in the end that proved to be the only blemish on an otherwise perfect start to 2008 for the men from New Grosvenor.

Team: Wilton, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, McConell, Ferguson, R.McCann, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Armour (For Waterworth), Shaw (for Brown), Cooling (for Ferguson), Ward, McMenamin

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

For the second consecutive league game at home, Lisburn Distillery fired blanks at New Grosvenor and in doing so failed to make up the ground that could have taken them up to fourth place in the table. The only positive point to come from this goalless game was another clean sheet but it will still be looked at as points lost as opposed to points gained against a Glenavon side who have been struggling of late.

On the day though it wasn't a lack of domination that cost Lisburn Distillery the points, it was an inability to finish off even one of the many chances that they created throughout the game that proved costly. The chances started on the tenth minute when Gary Browne saw a flicked header going narrowly over the Glenavon crossbar then on thirteen minutes Kingsberry almost got his first goal in Lisburn Distillery colours only to see his goal-bound effort scrambled off the line by Paul Carville. On 24 minutes it appeared the defences had been breached when Darren Armour scored only for referee to rule the goal out for an infringement on visiting goalkeeper Tuda Murphy. One minute later and it was Nathan McConnell's opportunity to be thwarted and on 27 minutes Kingsberry saw another effort go narrowly wide. Glenavon then could have taken a lead against the run of play shortly after that but Phil Matthews produced a good stop to keep the visitors at bay. Then on 36 minutes Distillery created another, and perhaps their best, opening of the half when some excellent interplay saw a Kingsberry effort being hacked away off the line again by Carville as Murphy was left stranded. And the chances kept on coming after that with Andy Kilmartin being the next person to miss as he blasted over the bar on 41 minutes.

The second half saw a much improved performance from the visitors with Lisburn Distillery chances being kept to a minimum although once again Kingsberry could, and should, have done better when he hit the ball over from 6 yards out following a great cross from substitute Julian Ward. And then on 87 minutes the visitors were so close to completing a smash and grab when Phil Matthews played a terrible ball out and the resulting goal bound effort by Colm Kearney had to be superbly turned over by Matthews who in doing so redeemed the earlier error.

Frustration all round then for the Lisburn Distillery faithful but with Coleraine coming to New Grosvenor next Wednesday at least they have one more chance to move into that coveted fourth position.

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, R.McCann, McConnell, Kingsberry, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Ward (for Armour), Shaw (for Kingsberry), Ferguson, McMenamin, Youle

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Terence Mann and David Hunter.

Match Report from Terence Mann

Left full-back Kyle Neill saved Glentoran's bacon with a last minute equaliser in normal time. It was a devastating blow for the visitors who looked as if they had done enough to secure a first victory over Glentoran, at the seventh time of asking, this season.

The strong wind was always going to have an impact on this game but there was only one team in it in the first half, Lisburn Distillery with the wind behind them had only one goal though to show for all their dominance.

Seconds in to the game Andy Waterworth tested Glen's keeper Michael Dougherty.Dougherty then misjudged a long free-kick from Stuart Thompson on 10 minutes but blushes were spared as the ball went over the keeper but wide off the goal.On 15 minutes as the visitor's defence dithered Chris Kingsberry cut in from the left but his shot was blocked, three minutes later Gary Browne's free-kick flew over the bar although Dougherty looked to have it covered.

Waterworth headed over on twenty minutes before Glentoran posed their only serious threat of the half on 26 minutes.Daryl Fordyce shot from the edge of the box, Phil Matthews parried but David Scullion fired the loose ball over.The Whites immediatley countered and Julian Ward headed over at the near post from Stuart Thompson's cross.It looked as if the visitors would not make their dominance pay but then Browne fed Waterworth and he made no mistake going wide of Colin Nixon and firing past Dougherty on 43 minutes.

One nil up at the break then, but playing against the wind was always going to be a different proposition and Glentoran were level inside a minute of the re-start, Kyle Neill diving to head home a cross.Minutes later Matthews made a superb save to keep out Scullion but credit to the Whites they got back into their rhythm and whilst they were under pressure they were far more effective on the counter than their opponents had been in the first half. Andy Kilmartin saw his downward header cleared before Matthews brought off another top save to push Gary Hamilton's free-kick over the bar.

Michael Halliday fired wide for the home side, but the Whites continued to hit Glentoran on the counter and on 60 minutes Kingsberry finsihed superbly, curling the ball wide of Dougherty from 15 yards out.The Whites defended hard but were always dangerous on the break, Dougherty rushed out to clear from Waterworth, Stephen Shaw put the ball onto the roof of the net before another opportunity was spurned when Peter McCann opted to keep possession when a cross-field ball would have had the Glentoran defence in real trouble.

Glentoran kept the pressure going, the visitors' lost Thompson through injury and just when it looked as if they had done enough, a needless free-kick was conceded, the ball was laid back to Neill whose drive squeezed under Matthews.Within minutes the game could have been lost, Jason Hill breaking through but he put his shot wide of Matthews and the post.

In the end a more than creditable draw, it should have been a win but third place is certainly still a target for Paul Kirk's men.They will not win the league but with Cliftonville and Linfield in the weeks ahead they could determine where the silveware goes.It's an oft used phrase here, but there are "many more twists and turns along the way" between now and the end of the season.

Glentoran - Dougherty, Nixon, Leeman, Ward, Hill, Scullion, McCabe, Fordyce, Neill, Hamilton, Halliday. Sub Drummond, Boyce,Fitzgerald, McGovern, Steele

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, P.McCann, Buchanan, Muir, Thompson (McMenamin), Ward (Gawley), P.McCann, Kilmartin (Shaw), Kingsberry, Waterworth, Browne. Subs Armour, McConnell

Referee: Ken Ginnett (Newtownabbey)

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

All of the pre-match talk before this game had been discussing the possible transfer of the Whites up and coming star striker Andy Waterworth to Hamilton Academicals and yet it was left to an old stager in Darren Armour to put the Whites on their way to three massive points and fourth place in the Carnegie league table.

Looking back at the game Lisburn Distillery would admit to being fortunate to come away with the points as Coleraine pressed them hard throughout, especially in the first half when only some disappointing finishing and some excellent goalkeeping by Phil Matthews to thwart Tommy McCallion and Darren Cassidy had kept the sides level. In a really lack lustre first half showing the Whites never got going but they were still to go into the break ahead thanks to Darren Armour doing what he does best …putting the ball in the back of the opposition net. The 45 minutes had been played when the Whites gained a corner and from it the ball fell loose to Armour who calmly prodded the ball home to give the home side the lead.

Second half saw an improved Lisburn Distillery performance but even then they laboured to get into top gear at any point throughout the game. Indeed the only highlight of the second half came on 73 minutes with the second goal. Armour again had been involved again, with the striker being tackled from behind by McCallion and the referee awarding a direct free kick just outside the Coleraine penalty area. Up stepped Ryan McCann and Paul Muir with many expecting Muir to unleash another of his thunderbolts, however on this occasion it was McCann who struck it curling the ball up and over the visiting defensive wall and into the goal leaving Davy O'Hare stranded.

Two nil then at the end to the Whites, a great result but by no means a great performance.

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, McMenamin, Muir, Buchanan, Cooling, R.McCann, Gawley, Kingsberry, Waterworth, Armour

Subs: McConnell (for Waterworth), Youle (For McMenamin) Shaw (for Gawley), Ward, Magee

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

Lisburn Distillery made it eight unbeaten league games in a row with this battling draw which not only strengthened the Whites' grip on fourth place in the league but also thwarted their host's attempts to climb into top place in the table.

It really was a game of two halves with Lisburn Distillery under the cosh for most of the first but in the second providing more than a match for their high flying opponents. Cliftonville's aerial assaults were posing constant problems for the Lisburn Distillery defence throughout the half and they almost took the lead as early as seven minutes as a Mark Holland effort hit the Whites' crossbar but then less than 30 seconds later they did take the lead when a ball was whipped into the penalty area and Ronan Scanell rose unmarked to head the ball easily home.

At this stage things looked bad for the Whites but only three minutes later they were right back in the game when Nathan McConnell was on hand to slot home an equalising goal against his former team. The rest of the half was mostly Cliftonville domination with Phil Matthews having to make stops from McMullan and former Whiteman Holland whilst McAlinden saw an effort hacked off the goal line. It seemed like it was only to be a matter of time before Cliftonville regained the lead and as expected that did prove to be the case although in the end it took a spot kick to split the teams with another former Lisburn Distillery player Francis Murphy placing the ball past his former colleague Matthews following a foul on Cleary.

It was with a large sigh of relief that the half time whistle was sounded and whatever was said to the side during the interval seemed to work as the Whites came out and to the man worked their socks off to get something out of the game. The game was soon tied up when a Ryan McCann free kick completely fooled the Reds defence and found its way into the bottom corner of the game. As expected Cliftonville fought hard to get a winning goal that would have sent them to the top of the Carnegie Premier league but unlike the first half they were not able to threaten the Distillery goal to anywhere near the same extent as in the first period of play. There were some flutters in Distillery hearts when skipper Wayne Buchanan picked up a second yellow card which saw him dismissed from the field of play but despite this the Whites continued to fight and in the end picked up yet another valuable league point

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Magee, Muir, Buchanan, Shaw, R.McCann, Gawley, Kingsberry, McConnell, Armour
Subs: Ward (for Shaw), Youle (For Gawley), Allen (for Armour), Wright, Dixon

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

A solitary Nathan McConnell strike, as early as the sixth minute, was enough to give Lisburn Distillery all three points in this tight dour struggle against the recent CIS cup finalists Crusaders.

The game was only just getting into gear when McConnell struck when following a well hit corner from Gary Browne, Paul Muir headed the ball back across the Crusaders goalmouth and McConnell was there to nod the ball home.

After this the first half seldom lit up although Crusaders did have a great chance to level on 15 minutes when striker Seamus Brown saw his header go narrowly wide of the Lisburn Distillery post. Crusaders had plenty of the ball but truth be told seldom threatened the Distillery goal with Paul Muir ably assisted by young Johnny Magee thwarting any chance of an opening.

The second half continued with the same pattern of play, Crusaders with lots of possession but seldom threatening the Lisburn Distillery goal and indeed it was the Whites who could have added a second on seventy minutes when McConnell was again on target with a header but on this occasion the Crusaders goalkeeper Aaron Kerr was able to turn the ball past the post. Crusaders did have one or two chances towards the end of the game and if they had have equalised few Lisburn Distillery supporters would have grumbled but thankfully the Whites held on to secure another vital three points in their quest for fourth place in the league standings. And with their two nearest rivals for that final place, Portadown and Ballymena, both dropping points elsewhere it turned out to be a good day all round for the men from New Grosvenor.

Team: Matthews, P.Mcann, Thompson, Muir, Magee, R.McCann, McConnell, Kingsberry, Kilmartin, Armour, Browne

Subs: Ward (for Kingsberry), Youle (for Armour), Gawley (for Browne), Shaw, Allen

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

Once again it was the Lisburn Distillery defence that drew the most credit from this tight game with yet another clean sheet at home enabling Ryan McCann's second half strike to prove to be enough to secure three more valuable points for the men in white.

Incidentally since the end of October 2007 Ballymena United have been the only side to score against Distillery in the league at New Grosvenor and this impressive statistic is further enhanced by the fact that the Whites have only conceded some 22 games from their entire 22 league games played so far. The statistic however was threatened by Armagh on a number of occasions, particularly in the first half, firstly when Cian Mackey managed to beat the offside trap and only the brilliance of Whites keeper Phil Matthews kept the game tied. Then only a couple of minutes later another effort from the visitor's David Hawthorne was cleared off the line by young Johnny Magee with Matthews beaten. Chances for Lisburn Distillery were limited in the first half but even so they were unlucky not to take the lead when a great cross in was sent goalward by Nathan McConnell only for him to see his effort saved by Addis, the ball bouncing out and a follow up effort was also well saved.

Nil each then at the break and during the interval came a change in personnel with Neal Gawley coming on to replace Gary Browne and it wasn't long before Gawley was making an impact on the game as his pace and close ball control started to ask questions of the Armagh defence. Lisburn Distillery lifted their game considerably in the second period and they didn't have to wait long until they got their reward as Ryan McCann stepped up to curl a great free kick home from the edge of the box on 57 minutes. Armagh were now being forced onto the front foot as they searched for a goal and the Whites did their utmost to add a second with firstly Neal Gawley seeing a header glance off the top of the visitor's crossbar and then Armour hitting wide when he really should have scored. Further chances fell to Armour again and Andy Kilmartin.

No further goals however were to follow but once again the Whites had done enough to keep up their bid for fourth place in the table. They are now able to travel to take on fifth placed Portadown in a couple of weeks knowing that if they can avoid defeat then they will be well on target for that top four spot.

Team: Matthews, P.Mcann, Thompson, Muir, Magee, R.McCann, McConnell, Kingsberry, Kilmartin, Armour, Browne
Subs: Gawley (for Browne), Youle (for Armour), Allen Buchanan, Ward

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

Last time these two sides met in the league the Whites won courtesy of a defender scoring a goal four minutes from time and today the Whites won once again 1-0 courtesy of a goal scored by a defender although on this occasion it was four minutes from the start as opposed to the end of the game.

The game had only just got going when Lisburn Distillery were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Portadown penalty area - the Ports defensive wall had only just started to get into position to defend the set piece when the ever alert Paul Muir opted to try his luck and hit the free kick without warning. The net rippled, the Portadown defence looked shell shocked, the referee awarded the goal and the Whites celebrated. What a start then to a game that gave Lisburn Distillery a chance to open an eight point gap against their nearest rivals for fourth place in the league.

After that initial flurry of activity the game settled for a while although Lisburn Distillery could, and should, have added at least once to their tally before the break. Firstly when a neat flick from Darren Armour saw Chris Kingsberry's pace leave the Ports defence for dead and he was only thwarted by some good goalkeeping from home keeper David Miskelly. Then the exact same happened again but this time on the left hand flank with Neal Gawley also being kept out by a Miskelly save. The home side seldom threatened during the first half and the reliable Lisburn Distillery defence was able easily to keep them at bay. Then the Whites were unlucky not to make it 2-0 just before the break when another Paul Muir effort was hacked off the line in the last few minutes of the half.

Second half saw Portadown come more into the game but once again the Whites defence held firm as Wesley Boyle (twice) and Johnny Topley were thwarted as they tried to level the game. Lisburn Distillery chances were limited in the second half but their one clear opening on 86 minutes saw midfielder Julian Ward bursting clear of the Ports defence only for former Whites player Gareth McKeown to pull him back. Ward had only the keeper to beat and the referee made the decision, although possibly a little harsh, to send off McKeown.
The game was over for Portadown from that point and the Whites were content to see the game out for what could be a valuable three points in their quest for fourth place and possible European football next term.

Team: Matthews, P.Mcann, Thompson, Muir, Magee, R.McCann, Gawley, Kingsberry, Kilmartin, Armour, McConnell
Subs: Ward (for Gawley), Browne (for Armour), Buchanan (for Kingsberry), Youle, Cooling

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

At half time, in what was to prove an explosive match at the Ballymena, there was no sign of what was to come from a game that burst into life in the second half, and sadly not for the right reasons.

ln a feisty league encounter, the first half had been a dull dour game with nothing much to report other than a yellow card for Lisburn Distillery keeper Philip Matthews. This particular incident came about when the ball was knocked forward towards the touchline for United player Stephen Lowry to chase, Matthews thought he could have got out for the ball in advance of the United player but just as he was about to kick the ball the United player flicked the ball on, Matthews momentum saw him collide with the United player. Given the distance from the goal, two covering defenders and the fact that the ball was more or less over the touchline when the collision occurred, referee Mark Courtney gave a free kick and opted to issue a yellow card as opposed to the red card being called for by the Ballymena support. The rest of the half produced nothing of note and it was little surprise when the sides went in level at 0-0 at the break.

The second half started brightly enough but the game really commenced on the 49th minute when Matthews failed to gather a cross and United defender Simon Kelly was there to fire through a crowded goal-mouth to give the home side the lead. His joy, and indeed that of the home side, of taking the lead proved however to be short lived when a well placed Chris Kingsberry cross found Mark Cooling, unmarked, on 51 minutes, and his goal bound shot was saved on the home goal line by Kelly. Referee Courtney had no option given the incident other than to red-card Kelly.Darren Armour successfully converted the spot kick and the game was level once again. However once again this wasn't to be the case for long as United scored again from another corner this time Albert Watson being on hand to head in well. Two-one then to the home side but the Whites were a man to the good and this one man advantage then became two as United's Craig McClean received a second yellow card following a late tackle on Peter McCann.

From there it was backs to the wall for the home side although United's Kevin Kelbie continued to look threatening on those occasions when the ball came through to him. The Whites had two penalty appeals turned down, the cross-bar denied Paul Muir, Murphy made good saves from Cooling and Muir and Peter McCann headed wide but the drama was still to come. With the clock ticking down home keeper Paul Murphy spilled the ball and Armour slid in to follow up unfortunately catching Murphy as he did so. After a lengthy stop for treatment to the United keeper the game resumed and five minutes of injury time were added at the end of normal time. No sooner however had the stoppage time started that Nathan McConnell collided with the home keeper and picked up a yellow card for his actions. This second injury proved to be the end of Murphy's game and he was unfortunately stretchered off leaving Kelbie to go into goal. Lisburn Distillery continued to drive forward in search of an equaliser but it didn't look as if the breakthrough would come and iIt looked at that stage the valiant efforts of the nine man home side would be enough to seal the victory. But, with nine minutes of injury time on the clock, the ball broke for McConnell who slid the ball past the advancing Kelbie to snatch a dramatic 2-2 finish.

The final whistle was sounded but even that didn't bring proceedings to a close with disturbing scenes following both on and off the pitch. Given those incidents and subsequent developments we are unable to comment further however in concluding this match report we would wish Ballymena United goalkeeper Paul Murphy a quick and full recovery from the injury sustained during the game.

Team: Matthews, P.Mcann, Thompson, Muir, Magee, R.McCann, Gawley, Kingsberry, Kilmartin, Armour, McConnell
Subs: Cooling (for Gawley), Browne (for Thompson), Buchanan (Kilmartin), Youle, Ward

Please note that these images are strictly copyright

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

A third consecutive draw for the men from New Grosvenor and this, coupled with Portadown's win at Institute, has now seen the gap between fourth and fifth place in the table reduced to only two points. With only four games left to play remaining this will ensure a tight and nervy finish to come over the next few weeks for both clubs.

This game had started fairly evenly with the chances being created being minimal although Nathan McConell had two half chances for the Whites with a decent Dungannon effort being sandwiched in between. Then on 26 minutes a decent Armour strike was turned round the post by visiting goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson and then a miscue by a Dungannon defender allowed Nathan McConnell through but his effort was rushed and subsequently went well over the visitors' crossbar.

The Swifts' Ormand Okunaiya had been causing ongoing problems for Distillery with his constant running at defenders throughout the first half and it was no surprise that it was from his fine cross on 41 minutes that Aidan McCarron was able to tap in an opening goal for the visitors.

Nil - one then at the break and the Whites knew they had to come out and play much better in the second period something which, thankfully, they did, however their good possession of the ball simply didn't lead to many more chances being created and the Swifts seemed more than happy to allow the home side to play whatever football they liked as long as it was from distance. Half chances however did come the way of the home side with Cooling, Muir and McConnell not able to convert their efforts. Then, eventually, on 77 minutes the Whites did draw level when following a free kick from Ryan McCann, striker Darren Armour flicked a header home to tie the game. From there the question would be could the Whites go on to win the game but the answer was to be one with a negative outcome as the game petered out although the Swifts did have a couple of chance to win it as the game drew to a close.

At final whistle it was more a case of points being lost than a point gained today for Distillery.

In closing can we congratulate goalscorer Darren Armour whose goal today was his 150th in Distillery colours, well done Darren.

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Magee, R.McCann, Ward, Cooling, Kingsberry, McConnell, Armour
Subs: Buchanan (for Magee), Youle (for Ward), McMenamin, Gawley, McCluskey

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Terence Mann and David Hunter

Match Report from Terence Mann

Lisburn Distillery's excellent record at the Limavady Showgrounds continued with this 2-1 victory. It was a game in which both sides actually played much better against the gale force wind blowing down the ground from the social club end than they did with it in their backs. Whites' skipper Wayne Buchanan returned to the side for the suspended Johnny Magee and he made his mark in the the fourth minute, rising to head Gary Browne's corner across the goal, the header was cleared at the back post by United defender David Bell but Buchanan and the Whites were adamant that the ball crossed the line but as they turned to referee Arnold Hunter, the referee's assistant on the far side had already indicated that the ball had crossed the line.

Chris Kingsberry and Neal Gawley were in fine form on both flanks causing United all sorts of problems and on twenty-four minutes Kingsberry burst down the right, cut insidt and his curling shou from the edge of the box bounced back off the post, Browne had the simple task of netting from six yards out. The Whites had several more chances before the break, they hit the side netting and then United keeper Glen Millar saved from Browne after the striker swivelled and cracked in a low shot.

After the break and after Millar's out-stretched leg had denied Daren Armour, the home side came back strongly and the Whites had to work hard. A left wing cross almost saw Barry Curran in but he, fortunately for the Whites, put his effort over the bar. On sixty-two minutes a super delivery from David Bell was met by United skipper Ryan McIlmoyle, running into the box he powered a header home.

It was tense stuff after that, the Whites defending solidly yet they spurned opportunities when they went forward much to the annoyance of the gaffer, Paul Kirk, who was none too happy with some of the options his players took at times. He was however delighted at the final whistle, this victory coupled with Coleraine's demolition of nearest rivals Portadown means the Whites stretch the gap over Ronnie McFall's side to five points with three games to go. The Whites continue to look good for that fourth spot.

Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, P.McCann, Buchanan (c), Muir, Thompson, Kingsberry, R.McCann, Kilmartin (Cooling), Gawley (Ward), Browne (McConnell), Armour.

Suns not used: McMenamin, Youle

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

Defeat by Donegal Celtic on this bright sunny afternoon proved to be a double blow for Lisburn Distillery as not only an opportunity to guarantee fourth place went begging but also the defeat brought an end to an unbeaten sequence of fifteen league games for the men from New Grosvenor.With Portadown losing to Glenavon elsewhere on the day victory in this game would have ensured a top four finish for Lisburn Distillery but as it is they now have to go at least another week before this fine feat can be achieved.

On the day post-match analysis would seem to suggest that this was the day that many Whites' supporters had feared was coming as the side showed very little bite up front and really since the combination of Andy Waterworth's departure in January and constant niggling injury problems with the other main striker Gary Browne the facts are that the Whites at times lack attacking ruthlessness. And yet that said, they did create enough chances to win the game with efforts from Gawley and Armour being well stopped by the visiting goalkeeper Declan Brown and Muir headed narrowly over.

The Whites seemed well in control of the game and it therefore came as a shock when Donegal Celtics' first corner almost brought about a goal with their effort hitting the side of the post and going wide. This should served as a warning shot across the Lisburn Distillery bow but it went unheeded as less than two minutes later the "Wee Hoops" went ahead. A long through ball had set Rory Hamill free and when Paul Muir tried to prevent him getting into the home penalty box a trailing leg caught Hamill and the referee had no option but to award a penalty to the visitors. Up stepped Paul McVeigh who kept a cool head to take the west Belfast side into the lead.

After this the visitors seemed more than content to soak up whatever the Whites could throw at them for the remainder of the game and chances were limited and even when they did come they weren't taken - the best effort being a Darren Armour attempt that was cleared off the line by Michael McClean.

So a disappointing result then for Distillery but thankfully results elsewhere mean they still have another bite of the cherry to come.

Team: Matthews, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, P.McCann, R.McCann, Kilmartin, Kingsberry, Gawley, Armour, McConnell
Subs: Cooling (for McConnell), Magee (for P.McCann), Youle (for Kilmartin), Ward, McMenamin

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and David Hunter

Match Report from Edward White

Fifteen dynamic minutes at the start proved to be enough for Lisburn Distillery to win this hard fought game and the three points yielded as a result were enough to guarantee fourth place to the Whites and European qualification for next season, subject to the granting of a European licence.

Tributes can not be paid highly enough to Paul Kirk, his coaching staff and obviously the players in once again defying the odds to finish in such a lofty league position and qualifying for Europe for the third time in five seasons. For the club to be achieving such lofty heights is no mean feat and once again underscores the fact that Lisburn Distillery is indeed a club moving forward.

The game itself had started quietly enough but on eleven minutes the breakthrough almost came when some neat interplay from Gary Browne and his fellow striker Darren Armour set the latter clear and his powerful shot was well parried by the Larne 'keeper for a corner. However the home side's relief was short lived - from the resulting corner Andy Kilmartin was on hand to poke the ball home from close range. Visions of European football were now filling the minds of all Lisburn Distillery supporters and those visions were to become even clearer only two minutes later when an Armour effort hit the upright but Browne was on hand to open a two goal gap with his fourteenth goal of the season after latching on to the rebound.

Larne however to their credit were not willing to lie down and on 18 minutes they managed to get themselves right back into the game when Mark McSkimmon pulled one back to give them a large injection of hope. From there, Larne grew in stature and Lisburn Distillery had to fight hard to keep them at bay although despite all their possession the home sides' chances were kept to a minimum. Then on 76 minutes Larne's hopes were given a severe dent with striker Damien McLaughlin red carded following an incident with Whites 'keeper Phil Matthews, Matthews picked up a yellow card following the event. Larne however kept working hard despite being a man down although this in turn also led to the Whites creating a few more chances as well, with Armour having a well struck shot blocked by the home keeper and Neal Gawley then saw an effort go narrowly wide of the home goal. What was proving to be a hill to climb for the ten man home side was to become a mountain when shortly into injury time a second bookable offence by Ross Black saw him also receive a red card. With only nine men left there was no way back, the Whites easily saw the game out and now await details of the Intertoto draw.

Subject to the granting of a European licence, the Whites will be taking their place at the European table in June - well done Whites.

Team: Matthews, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Magee, R.McCann, Kilmartin, Kingsberry, Gawley, Armour, Brown
Subs: Youle (for Magee), Cooling (For Kilmartin), McConnell (for Browne), McMenamin, Ward

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Iain Pertray and David Hunter

Match Report from Iain Pertray

An end of season atmosphere more than prevailed at a sun bathed Riverside Stadium on Saturday for the Whites' last game of the 2007/08 season. Paul Kirk gave several of the fringe squad players a start, and the inclusion of young forward Curtis Allen had a big say in the final match outcome.

Unfortunately it has to be said the hard bumpy surface didn'tt help both teams, and Institute missed the first real chance of the game after nine minutes with forward Ryan McCreadie hitting his shot over the bar from the edge of the area. Ten minutes later the Whites' defence was caught out of position but Ruari Boyle hit the side neeting from close range. Lisburn Distillery gradually got to grips with their passing game as the half wore on. They were rewarded on the half hour mark when Curtis Allen shook off the attention of two home defenders and confidently finished by lobbing the home keeper from the edge of the box, a great finish.

Lisburn Distillery were now one goal to the good and both keepers dealt comfortably with anything thrown at them for the remainder of the half, meaning the visitors went in one up at the break.Lisburn Distillery started the second half with Wayne Buchanan replacing Paul Muir within three minutes of the restart. Just after the hour mark Lisburn Distillery doubled their lead. Ryan McCann sent in a free kick from the right, Nathan McConnell flicked the ball on for Curtis Allen to bury the ball home, after he came in at the back post. The rest of the second half unfortunately petered out with neither side really threatening either goal. In fact the remaining point of note was when Johnny Magee received a booking for clattering an Institute player with a late tackle, resulting in a mini melee amongst a dozen players or so.

In the end the Whites won comfortably enough to finish their excellent season on a deserved high. Curtis Allen's double strike may also prove decisive for the young man with regard to the reward of a new contract, it's unfortunate he hasn't been available more often during the last couple of months as he really looked the part today.

Lisburn Distillery - 1. Philip Matthews,2. Dean Youle, 3. Stuart Thompson, 4. Julian Ward, 5. Johnny Magee, 8. Ryan McCann, 9. Curtis Allen, 10. Nathan McConnell, 16. Paul Muir (Capt), 18. Mark Cooling, 23. Chris Kingsberry

Subs - 7. Andy Kilmartin, 11. Ryan Blaney for Stuart Thompson 72mins, 12. Jim McMenamin for Chris Kingsberry, 14. Wayne Buchanan for Paul Muir 48mins, 19. Darren Armour

Booking - Johnny Magee Yellow Card 75mins

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White, David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

The width of a post was all that separated Lisburn Distillery from pulling off victory against Glentoran in this fifth round JJB Sports Irish Cup tie but in the end the reward of a home replay will have sent the Lisburn Distillery support home happy.

The draw was the correct outcome from this closely fought game but with the Whites having gone into the match as clear underdogs and having already lost four times this season to Glentoran prior to kick-off they will doubtless be the happier of the two teams with the final result. Chances were at a premium for either side with Stuart Thompson having the first real opening for Lisburn Distillery after 20 minutes but he dragged a shot wide from the edge of the Glentoran penalty area. Glentoran then had a good chance after 25 minutes when a good move ended with a shot going narrowly wide and then Chris Kingsberry had a decent effort on 26 minutes but his shot simply wasn't powerful enough to beat Morris in the home goal. Kingsberry was, of course, making his Lisburn Distillery debut and he showed some nice touches and although it is still early days he looks like he could be a player to do well at Lisburn Distillery.

The half finished scoreless although at this time we should draw attention an excellent all round defensive performance by the Whites throughout the ninety minutes with Paul Muir being an absolute colossus in the heart of the defence and his defensive colleagues Jim McMenamin and Peter McCann both also having outstanding games.

The Whites' best effort came on 50 minutes when a good through ball from Gary Browne was hit goalward by Stephen Shaw, his shot left home keeper Morris completely beaten but Shaw was unlucky to see his effort hit the foot of the post and bounce clear. Lisburn Distillery then had a let off shortly after when an ill-timed challenge by Thompson on a Glentoran player went unpunished despite the baying of the home crowd for a sending-off.

After that both sides worked hard and cancelled each other out although the Whites did almost snatch a late winner when substitute Michael Fergsuon almost emerged as the unlikely hero as his injury time effort was well parried to safety by Morris Nil all it finished then but an entertaining game none the less and both sides now have to do it all over again at New Grosvenor on Wednesday 16th January (7.45 kick-off)

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Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, McMenamin, Kilmartin, Shaw, Kingsberry, Cooling, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: Youle (for Cooling), Ferguson (for Kingsberry), Armour (for Waterworth), Ward, Magee

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Match report and images (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net, Edward White and Jonathan Irwin

Match Report from Edward White

It was 1947 since the last time Lisburn Distillery beat Glentoran at home in the Irish Cup and that record never looked like being broken as the Whites once again failed to produce the goods against one of the top sides.

After the heroics of the previous Saturday's battling draw at The Oval which had resulted in this replay being required, Lisburn Distillery fans had been quietly optimistic that they could have pulled off a shock victory against the mighty Glens but in the end, if truth be told, they were lucky to come away only losing 1-3.

Right from the start it was Glentoran's dominance that prevailed and only for a combination of some poor finishing and a number of decent stops from Whites' keeper Phil Matthews it could easily have been a five or six goal winning margin. The Whites did have an early half chance when Andy Waterworth failed to finish after finding his way inside the Glentoran penalty area but after that it was clearly the visitors on top and it was no surprise when they did take the lead after 25 minutes when Daryl Fordyce was on hand to turn a David Scullion cross into the home net and on 38 minutes it became 2-0 when Fordyce scored a second goal for the visitors.

Two down then at half time and for the Whites to have any chance they really did need to come out all guns blazing and they almost did make a blistering start on 46 minutes when Andy Waterworth was able to place a header on target. However the header lacked power and was easily gathered by Elliott Morris in the Glentoran goal and that, despite a further effort by Gary Browne, was as near as the Whites came before the Glens added a third.

One hour had been played when Glentoran were awarded a penalty when David Scullion was adjudged to have been tripped by Lisburn Distillery defender Stuart Thompson and referee Courtney had no hesitation pointing to the spot, the ever relaiable Colin Nixon slotting the spot kick safely home.

The Whites did pull one back through a decent strike by skipper Wayne Buchanan after 64 minutes but it was too little too late as the Whites once again failed to produce against one the leagues bigger sides and subsequently went tumbling out of this season's Irish Cup.

Team: Matthews, P.McCann, Thompson, Muir, Buchanan, Kilmartin, Shaw, Kingsberry, Cooling, Waterworth, Browne
Subs: McConnell (for Cooling), Armour (for Thompson), Ward (for Waterworth), Ferguson, McMenamin

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