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08 August 2009 - Match 1 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Glentoran 4
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match report from Edward White
Last time recently re-appointed manager Jimmy Brown
took charge of a Distillery team in the Irish league his reign ended on a down note
with the side losing 0-6 at home to Glentoran. This time around his reign started
in a similar disappointing fashion although hopefully things will get better as the
weeks and months progress.
On the day the Whites performance was well below the required standard and they were
totally dominated by a Glentoran side who never even needed to move out of second
gear throughout the match to secure a winning start to their new campaign.
The game had started fairly evenly for the first quarter of an hour as both sides
shook off their early season lethargy but it was the visitors who were quickest to
emerge from the close season slumber as they moved two goals to the good within a
7 minute spell. First up, a Kyle Neill corner kick went unchallenged and a neat flick
on from Fordyce was enough to see the ball enter the path of the in-rushing Paul
Leeman who headed home unmarked. Then seven minutes later the second arrived as the
visitors were given a penalty when Aaron Callaghan tripped Halliday and the Glens’
recent signing Richard Clarke made no mistake from the spot.
Neal Gawley had the Whites first half effort on 28 minutes when he burst into the
Glentoran penalty area but dragged his shot narrowly wide but then on 34 minutes
it was game over as the Glens broke quickly, Halliday easily eluded the last Lisburn
Distillery defender before a simple pass to Gary Hamilton meant he could not miss
from eight yards out.
Second half saw the Whites come out with a bit more passion but once again their
inability to clear their lines from a basic corner proved costly as Johnny Taylor
prodded home from a goalmouth scramble where there were at least three failed attempts
to clear the ball.
Manager Brown used this opportunity to bring his first two substitutes and immediately
Chris Kingsberry and debutant Rory Hamill began to make an impact on the game with
the former forcing a save from Elliott Morris in the Glentoran goal. Further half
chances then followed from Kingsberry, two Glenn Ferguson efforts and a final strike
from Peter McCann but there was to be no way though for the Whites and they left
the pitch rooted to the foot of the Carling Premiership albeit with only one game
played.
Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, McCann, Simpson, Callaghan,McShane (S.Thompson 78),
Melaugh (Kingsberry 55), Whelan, Kilmartin, Gawley, Ferguson, Armour (Hamill 55).
Subs not used: G.Thompson, Corey.
Glentoran - Morris, Nixon, Leeman, Johnny Taylor, Black, Fordyce, Fitzgerald (Gardiner
74) Clarke, Neill, Halliday (Waterworth 84), Hamilton. Subs not used: James Taylor,
Ward, Hall.
Referee: Adrian McCourt (Bangor)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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10 August 2009 - Round 1 - Lisburn Distillery 3 Dundela 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Stanley Mann and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Stanley Mann
Lisburn Distillery boss Jimmy Brown got the response he expected from his side after
Saturday’s four nil drubbing by champions Glentoran.
Dundela were the victims, the east Belfast side going out in Round 1 of this year’s
Paddy Power County Antrim Shield as a result. Brown’s side dominated from the off,
Neal Gawley outpaced Michael Ferguson to get on the end of Andy Kilmartin’s pass,
but his shot rebounded back off the post.
A goal did come though on 16 minutes, Gavin Melaugh netting from inside the six-yard
box after Glenn Ferguson had headed back Rory Hamill’s cross.Nine minutes later it
was two after a terrible defensive blunder between Duns skipper Ryan Hylands and
keeper Paul Hughes. Both left a long ball to each other but Chris Kingsberry kept
going to take advantage and fire home.
Gawley should have made it three on 35 minutes but wasted a gilt-edged opportunity
before Phil Matthews turned Johnny Tumelty’s shot onto the post.
Dundela pulled a goal back on fifty minutes after Peter McCann had the misfortune
to head Hyland’s free-kick past Matthews when attempting to clear.
Mark Snodden’s side performed much better after the break before McCann redeemed
himself ten minutes from time, running in to net Gary Thompson’s low cross.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, McCann, Simpson, Rogers, S.Thompson, Kingsberry, Kilmartin,
Melaugh, Gawley (Shaw 62), Hamill (G.Thompson 46), G.Ferguson. Subs: Callaghan, Armour,
Corey.
Dundela – Hughes, M. Ferguson (Hill 62), M.Roy, Hylands, Gourley, Murphy, Tumelty,
Lenaghan, Campbell, Bingham, J Roy. Subs:Jones, McCracken, Fox
Referee: Mr Ross Dunlop
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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15 August 2009 - Match 2 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Glenavon 3
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and
Lisburn Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
The Whites started this game brightly with Rory Hamill going close after only two
minutes of play but after that defensive lapses were to cost the home side dearly
as they lost their second home game in consecutive weeks conceding another three
poor goals into the bargain.
After that initial effort from Hamill the Whites defence founds themselves under
early Glenavon pressure and to be honest it did look like it would only a be a matter
of time before a goal was conceded and this indeed proved to be the case after 14
minutes when an effort from Costello came off a defender only for Tony Grant to stroke
the ball home as a static Lisburn Distillery defence stood still. Worse was to follow
on 24 minutes as an effort, again from Grant, bounced up and back off the cross bar
and as the home defence watched Stuart King was allowed to stroll in to place the
ball easily past Matthews.
A glimmer of hope was to follow on 29 minutes when the ball broke to Neal Gawley
following a Lisburn Distillery free-kick and he hammered the ball home well from
20 yards out and then Glenn Ferguson had a glorious chance to level the game on 39
minutes but somehow missed a free header from only yards out.
Two minutes later however the visitors two goal cushion was restored as recent signing
Philip Simpson spent too much time on the ball at the edge of the penalty area and
was duly robbed by Tony Grant whose pass found Costello and his subsequent pass allowed
King to drill home his second off the post.
1-3 down then at halftime and the Whites were again left with an uphill struggle
on their hands and truth be told they didn’t respond anywhere near the level required
with the visitors holding on comfortably. Ferguson shot narrowly wide on 77 minutes,
Hamill had a half chance on 87 minutes with a flick header but in the end a late
headed goal by Ferguson (his first for his new club) from a corner was not going
to be enough to give the Whites a share of the points.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, McCann, Simpson (Callaghan 46), Rogers, S.Thompson,
Whelan (G.Thompson 82), Kilmartin, Melaugh, Gawley (Corey 65), Ferguson, Hamill.
Subs: Armour, Shaw.
Glenavon – Plummer,Campbell,Carvill,Gracey, Dickson, Molloy (Walsh 70), McDonagh,
Harper, King, Grant, Costello. Subs: Magee, Turkington, Liggett, Harpur.
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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18 August 2009 - Match 3 - Institute 2 Lisburn Distillery 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Iain Pertray and
Lisburn Distillery.net
Match Report from Iain Pertray
Lisburn Distillery's poor start to the season continued at the Riverside Stadium
on Tuesday night. Injury and unavailablity thrust young keeper Chris Stewart into
his first team debut for the Whites with winger Chris Kingsberry returning to the
side from injury.
Lisburn Distillery had the majority of the possession in the opening
period, although the visitors were unable to convert this into clear cut chances.
The Whites best chance came when Glenn Ferguson threaded a ball through to Andy Kilmartin
whose firmly struck shot from the edge of the area was safely gathered by the home
keeper. On twenty four minutes the Whites defensive frailties surfaced yet again
when skipper Dave Rogers planted a header into his own net with keeper Stewart seemingly
wrong footed. Had Institute been more clinical in front of
goal they should have
been well clear by half time with Brown and Friel in particular both missing good
opportunities.
Half -time 1 - 0
The Whites got back into the game five minutes from
the restart. Neal Gawley went on a run into the penalty box where he was clearly
upended by home defender Ogilby. Glenn Ferguson made no mistake from the penalty
spot blasting the ball home. Institute were then awarded a
penalty on sixty three
minutes. Peter McCann was harshly adjudged to have fouled Declan Devin, when he seemed
to be shielding the ball back to the keeper. Paul Brown then fired home past Chris
Stewart from the penalty spot. Manager Jimmy Brown made several substitutions in
an attempt to get the Whites back on at least level terms. The visitors only huffed
and puffed without creating any clear cut chances allowing Institute to claim their
first win of the season.
Institute: Cullen, Wray, Scoltock, Ogilby, Crown; Blackburn (Quigley 70), Friars,
McClean, Divin; Friel (McCreadie), Brown.
Lisburn Distillery: Stewart, McCann, McShane, Simpson, Rogers, Kilmartin (Whelan
74), Ferguson, Melaugh (Patton 74), Kingsberry (Corey 66), Gawley, Thompson. Sub
not used: Cooling
Referee: Simon Creaney (Newtownards).
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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22 August 2009 - Match 4 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Newry City 4
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Stanley Mann and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Stanley Mann
Four games in and still no points for Lisburn Distillery in the Carling Premiership.
Manager Jimmy Brown had to endure yet another inept first-half performance as the
Whites came in once again three down at the interval. There was an improvement after
the break but it was a case of the damage already having been done.
Paul Murphy deputising for the injured Phil Matthews had no chance with City's opener
on 18 minutes after Glenn Ferguson was adjudged to have fouled Stephen Garrett following
a corner. It looked a bread and butter challenge but referee Adrian McCourt pointed
straight to the spot.and Garrett fired down the middle.
As usual now, things went from bad to worse four minutes later. Captain Dave Rogers
had made a good tackle to block a certain goal from Morgan, the corner was swung
in, missed by those in white but not by City midfielder Cullen Feeney who slid in
to finish off from a couple of yards out.
Then a let-off; another corner, a flicked header and Morgan was unlucky to see his
header smash against the face of the cross-bar. The Whites went on a rare counter
attack, the ball was lashed clear by the defence and Garrett, in acres of space,
brought it down before burying it into the net from eight yards out.
Right at the end of the half City midfielder Niall Henderson was stretchered off
with an ankle injury before being taken to hospital. The closest the Whites had got
to a goal in that period was from the restart after the first goal.Gary Browne forcing
Andy Coleman to get down and concede a corner, so it came as no surprise that Jimmy
Brown went for broke after the break, bringing on three substitutes in an attempt
to re-shape the game. They fared much better, Rory Hamill orchestrating a number
of moves as well as seeing two chipped efforts come back off the cross-bar. Newry
keeper Coleman was more gainfully employed bringing off good saves to deny Gareth
Corey and Andy Kilmartin before the Whites pulled one back fifteen minutes from time.
Another tackle, another penalty, same decision as the first, and Ferguson took his
tally for the season to three.
But instead of the gap narrowing further, it increased seven minutes from time. Substitute
Kevin Keegan slipped the ball outside a defender, cut inside and his low cross was
turned in by the unmarked Morgan a few yards out. A neat finish to a good piece
of play on the wing.
Gavin Melaugh fired in an injury time goal – a low twenty yard diagonal shot into
the corner - on another day he would have celebrated but not on Saturday.
Another game, another defeat, maybe that will all change on Tuesday night against
leaders Dungannon Swifts?
Lisburn Distillery – Murphy, McCann, Simpson, Rogers, McShane, S.Thompson (Melaugh
46), Kilmartin, Whelan, Gawley (Hamill 46), Ferguson, Browne (Corey 46). Subs not
used: Kingsberry, Cooling.
Newry City – Coleman, King, McDonnell, Munster, Friars, Black, Henderson (Keegan
45,) Davidson (Cassidy 68), Feeney, Black Garrett (Graham 85), Morgan. Subs: Walsh,
Adamczyk.
Referee: Adrian McCourt (Bangor)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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25 August 2009 - Match 5 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Dungannon Swifts 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and
Lisburn Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
A first clean sheet of the season, and indeed a first league point, lifted some of
the gloom around New Grosvenor as the Whites battled hard against the in form league
leaders Dungannon Swifts.
As the final score-line suggests it was game of few chances with the visitors creating
the best of the opportunities but the Whites’ defence, including a debut performance
from David McAlinden, held firm throughout. The first opening came along after only
7 minutes when Adam McMinn headed wide when well placed for the visitors then Adamson’s
effort was well parried by Murphy only a few minutes later. The Whites first major
effort came on 20 minutes when good play from Andy Kilmartin out wide picked out
the in-rushing Rory Hamill but his effort was well taken by the visiting goalkeeper,
Alvin Rouse. The Swifts did have the ball in the net on 28 minutes but Fitzpatrick’s
effort was deemed offside. Then Glenn Ferguson had a half chance on 41 minutes but
it wasn’t enough to trouble the visiting keeper greatly.
Second half was much of the same, McAlinden, who had a very solid debut, cleared
well on 62 minutes then Adamson had another decent effort which went over the bar
on 70 minutes. Glenn Ferguson had what was possibly the Whites best chance on 83
minutes when he flashed a decent header narrowly over the bar with Gavin Whelan having
another decent effort saved on 85 minutes.
All in all though neither side did enough to win all three points and in the end
a goalless stalemate seemed always set to be the outcome but at least the Whites
had the consolation of that clean sheet and a first league point.
Lisburn Distillery: Murphy, P.McCann, McAlinden (S.Thompson 75), Rogers, McShane,
Whelan, Kilmartin, Melaugh, Kingsberry, Ferguson, Hamill (Browne 71). Subs G.Thompson,
Corey,Gawley.
Dungannon Swifts: Rouse, McAlliskey, Montgomery, McMinn, McClean, McCafferty, M.McCann
(McAree 70), T.Fitzpatrick, McIlmoyle (Lavery 92), Coney (Mooney 64), Adamson. Subs:
Mullan, Hamilton.
Referee: David Malcolm (Bangor)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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28 August 2009 - Match 6 - Portadown 6 Lisburn Distillery 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Terence Mann and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Terence Mann
It was back to reality again for Jimmy Brown’s side after Tuesday night’s draw against
the league leaders.
The Whites have had a good record against Portadown in recent seasons but that went
crashing out the window as the Shamrock Park side hit six, yes six, and that included
two own goals! It was Portadown’s first win of the season.
On eight minutes a goalmouth scramble culminated in David McAlinden hooking the ball
into his own goal as he attempted to clear.Neal Gawley then had a chance for the
Whites before Kevin Braniff had an effort at the other end. At this stage the Whites
had as much if not more possession than Ronnie McFall’s men.But if you can’t fashion
out chances or put the ball in the net that counts for nothing and so it proved.
On twenty- nine minutes Richard Clarke should have made it two nil but he headed
wide. Gavin Whelan’s free-kick went wide before Dave Rogers went off injured. Seven
minutes before the break Ryan McCluskey crossed and Braniff surrounded by five blue
shirts headed home. Right on the whistle Gary McCutcheon could have added a third
but dragged his shot wide.
On 54 minutes Wesley Boyle made it three, before the Whites grabbed a goal just
four minutes later - Glenn Ferguson powered Gawly’s cross against the bar, Chris
Kingsberry following up pushed the ball forward and Ferguson hooked it in. Paul Murphy
made a good stop before Whites substitute Gary Thompson knocked an effort wide on
77 minutes. David Miskelly saved Kingsberry’s shot before Murphy recovered from a
poor clearance to finger-tip a blistering drive from Braniff over the bar.
Then disaster seven minutes from time when Stuart Thompson headed the ball over his
keeper and on full time Portadown substitute David McCullough was allowed to run
past/through defenders before firing home off the inside of the post.
The dressing room door was closed for a long time afterwards and it was no surprise
that manager Jimmy Brown did not appear for a media interview, assistant manager
Tony Gorman standing in whilst Brown remained ensconced in the dressing room.
Nineteen goals conceded in just six games says it all.
Credit to the White Army who backed the team vocally to the hilt over the ninety
minutes - they deserve better from the side
Portadown: Miskelly, Coleman, O'Hara, Clarke (McCullough 72), Convery, Kelly, Boyle
(Haire 84), McCluskey, N.Teggart A.Teggart 30), Braniff, McCutcheon. Subs: Hunter,
Armstrong, Aaron Haire (on for Boyle, 84 mins).
Lisburn Distillery: Murphy, McCann, McShane, McAlinden, Rogers (S.Thompson 35), Melaugh
(Browne 60), Kilmartin, Whelan, Gawley (G.Thompson 60), Kingsberry, Ferguson. Subs:Cooling,
Corey.
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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12 September 2009 - Match 8 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Cliftonville 5
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Lisburn Distillery’s truly woeful start to the season continued as they were thrashed
5-0 at home by visitors Cliftonville in a result that left the Whites, even at this
early stage of the season, clear relegation favourites.
The game had started evenly enough with the sides’ level for the first quarter of
an hour but when Liam Boyce struck a neat finish on 16 minutes the Lisburn Distillery
heads dropped and it was no surprise when further goals were conceded. The second
goal came on 30 minutes when George McMullan drove home a fine shot through the home
defence and past an unsighted Philip Matthews in the home goal.
Matthews was to be the hero however only a few minutes when Boyce again almost scored
only for the alert home keeper to stand his ground well before diving to gather the
ball from Boyce’s feet. The third goal however did arrive on minutes when Boyce easily
passed McAlinden and squared to McMullan who finished well from 15 yards out.
0-3 the at the break and the game was over although manager Jimmy Brown did try to
change things at the start of the second half by brining on all three of his substitutes
however it was to be to no avail as on 52 minutes McMullan completed his hat-trick
to make it 4-0. The Whites first effort of the game didn’t happen until 83 minutes
when the hard working Gary Thompson brought out a save from the Reds’ keeper Connolly
but then on 86 minutes it was 5-0, Ciaran Donaghy finishing from close range as the
home side yet again failed to defend a corner.
The jeers of discontentment were very clear around New Grosvenor at the end of this
one and a major about turn is going to be required very soon if the Whites are to
start moving up the table
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, McCann, McAlinden (Simpson 46), Rogers, McShane, Hamill
(G.Thompson 46), Whelan (Kilmartin 46), Melaugh, Cooling, Ferguson, Browne. Subs:
Gawley, Kingsberry.
Cliftonville – Connolly, Holland, O'Hara, Donaghy, R. Scannell, Caldwell, Catney,
Clarke (Patterson 66), McMullan,(O'Connor 59), Boyce (Dunlop 73), C.Scannell. Subs:
Smyth, Fleming,
Referee: Alan Black (Antrim)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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15 September 2009 - Match 9 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Ballymena United
2
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Stanley Mann and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Stanley Mann
The rot continues at New Grosvenor and the pressure mounts on home boss Jimmy Brown
as Ballymena United claimed their third away win of the season.
United got their act together midway through the first-half and after Andy Smith
had hit the side netting on 20 minutes David Cushley rifled in the opener three minutes
later from the edge of the box.
The Whites' heads though didn't drop in this game, Ferguson and Kilmartin both having
efforts before United keeper Dwayne Nelson made a good stop with his legs to block
Neal Gawley. Dave Rogers then cleared off the home- line and a minute later (37 minutes)
veteran United midfielder Darren Lockhart dived in to head a corner home from the
edge of the six-yard box.
Phil Matthews then made another good save to deny Philip Carson in injury time. Nine
minutes after the break Ferguson had a chance after United keeper Dwayne Nelson headed
clear but his 35 yard effort just went the wrong side of the post.
The Whites lost Mark Cooling and Chris Kingsberry through injury and whilst Smith
and Lockhart had further chances for Roy Walker's side the second-half ended scoreless
to leave the Whites rock bottom with one point from a possible twenty-four.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, McCann, Callaghan (Browne 83), Rogers, S.Thompson,
Kingsberry (Shaw 63), G. Thompson, Kilmartin, Cooling (Corey, 59) Ferguson. Subs:
Melaugh, Hamill.
Ballymena United – Nelson, M.Smith, Colligan, A.Stewart, Alb Watson, G.Stewart (Okunaiya
86), Cushley (Taggart 68), Carson, A.Smith, McConnell, Lockhart (Surgenor 80). Subs:
Anderson, Aid Watson.
Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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22 September 2009 - Match 10 - Coleraine 2 Lisburn Distillery 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Terence Mann and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Terence Mann
Report to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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26 September 2009 - Match 11 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Crusaders 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
On a day that saw Tommy Wright appointed as new manager of Lisburn Distillery football
club, the outgoing team of Harry Fay and Tony Gorman will doubtless have been disappointed
to end their short tenure on a losing note although that said, the overall performance
was a continuation of the side’s return to some sort of positive level that they
had first displayed in their first game in charge only a few days ago against Coleraine.
Given that this game was against the side that arrived at New Grosvenor at the top
of the league table the Whites could still draw heart from an overall positive performance
and certainly there wasn’t a lot between top and bottom sides on the day.
As expected the visitors soon got into their stride and were unlucky not to take
the lead after 15 minutes when Rainey’s fine effort hit the post with home ‘keeper
Phil Matthews beaten. The Whites were then unlucky themselves not to take the lead
when Gary Thompson hit a great effort on 18 minutes which was parried by Keenan before
the still goal-bound effort was then hacked off the line by Stephen McBride. Matthews
then saved well from Coates powerful header on 29 minutes but then on 31 minutes
a defensive mix up between Matthews and Simpson allowed Rainey in to score the Crusaders
goal.
Second half saw much of the same with Crusaders again hitting the bar on 54 minutes
then the Whites had another effort on 56 minutes when Aaron Callaghan’s shot forced
the visiting ‘keeper into a save. Rory Hamill then came as a sub and he almost had
an immediate impact on the hour mark but somehow mis-kicked when well placed with
the ball going to Neal Gawley who skyed over. Further efforts came from the Whites
but it was Crusaders who came closest to scoring a second goal of the game as Donnelly’s
effort went narrowly wide on 84 minutes.
And so another defeat then for the Whites but once again further signs that the grass
roots of recovery are now starting to take shape.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, S.Thompson, Callaghan (Hamill 59), Simpson, McShane,
Whelan, Melaugh (Patton 72), Kilmartin, Gawley (Shaw 81), G.Thompson, Corey. Subs:Atkinson,
Murphy.
Crusaders – Keenan, McKeown, Magowan, Coates, McBride, Morrow (Owens 74), Black (McCann
66), Doherty, Rainey, Caddell, Arthurs (Donnelly 46). Subs: Melly, McMaster.
Referee: David Malcolm (Bangor)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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29 September 2009 - Quarter-final - Lisburn Distillery 0 Cliftonville 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
The belief is that when a side is down that it appears that everything goes against
them and this proved to be oh so true as Cliftonville snatched a late, late winner
to defeat a resilient Lisburn Distillery team desperate for a return to winning ways
in front of new manager Tommy Wright in this, his first game in charge.
Things might have been so very different only a minute from the kick off as an over
hit back pass completely deceived Reds keeper McKane with the ball bouncing over
his head and off the bar before falling to the feet of the incoming Gareth Corey
but somehow the visiting keeper recovered well enough to block his close range effort.
The Whites continued with this bright start with a Pat McShane thunderbolt going
narrowly over on 16 minutes but then on 22 minutes it was the visitors who came close,
a decent effort from O’Connor bringing out a good save from Paul Murphy.
Cliftonville were slowly starting to take the upper hand in the game with a flurry
of chances being created the closest being an effort from former Whiteman Ryan Catney
who saw his shot saved by Murphy on 27 minutes.
The second half saw a fairly even contest throughout with the Whites first main chance
being when a great through ball found Neal Gawley clear on 63 minutes however once
again McKane stood tall and blocked his effort. It was Gawley again on 68 minutes
who produced the next effort with a wicked curling shot which he narrowly dragged
wide of the visitors’ goalpost with the goalkeeper well beaten.
Then, on 87 minutes, disaster struck as Liam Boyce curled a wonderful finish into
the top corner of the net leaving the home support in total disbelief. And yet the
game wasn’t over yet as the Whites poured forward in search of a leveller and were
unlucky, firstly on 91 minutes when Gawley shot narrowly wide and then again on 92
minutes when Simpson hit a powerful shot only for McKane to be on hand again to parry
it clear.
Another defeat then but still evidence that the wheel of misfortune is still turning
in the right direction and this will hopefully bode well for the rest of Tommy Wright’s
career as Lisburn Distillery manager.
Lisburn Distillery – Murphy, S.Thompson, Simpson, Callaghan, McShane, G.Thompson
(Hamill 70), Whelan, Melaugh (Patton 89), Kilmartin, Gawley, Corey (Shaw 82). Subs
not used:Matthews, Rogers..
Cliftonville – McKane, Fleming, O'Hara, Donaghy, R.Scannell, McMullan (Smyth 88),
Catney, O'Connor, Murphy (Caldwell 67), C.Scannell, Dunlop (Boyce 67). Subs not used
Bannon, Trainor
Referee : Keith Halliday (Bangor)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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03 October 2009 - Match 12 - Glentoran 1 Lisburn Distillery 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Like a knife through the heart of recovery is probably the best way to describe an
injury time winner from the defending league champions against a defiant Lisburn
Distillery who deserved a share of the spoils
for a battling performance but in the
end were to get nothing.
The game had stared fairly evenly with the Whites creating
the first half chance when Neal Gawley found himself in a good position only to badly
miscue on 9 minutes. Then on 16 minutes the Glens had their first chance of the game
when Kyle Neill headed wide from Nixon’s cross. The Glens were slowly starting to
take the upper hand in the game by this point but to their credit the Whites showed
great resilience and continued to defend hard and indeed had another chance to take
the lead when a well struck drive from Pat McShane was saved by Morris on 32
minutes.
Then a few minutes later the entire shape of the game was to change as referee Arnold
Hunter opted to send off Gavin Melaugh for a second bookable offence, the first being
only a few previous minutes as a result of a rather innocuous challenge. If the Whites
task had been difficult on level terms their now being down to ten men gave their
cause an almost impossible look to it.
However Lisburn Distilery are now showing that
they made of much sterner material thana few weeks back and to the man they battled
hard and then harder again to keep themselves in the game. As expected the home side
threw everything at them in their quest for the points and they probably should have
done better on 52 minutes when Richard Clarke fired over from 6 yards out. Another
chance then followed as Aaron Callaghan blocked a good effort from Hamilton and then
Callaghan himself made a fine solo foray into the Glentoran half getting eventually
to about 25 yards out before hitting an effort that went high and wide. Glentoran
continued to press but despite all their efforts the Whites were limiting their chances
to a bare minimum with their nearest efforts coming from Fordyce and Hamilton whose
efforts were blocked with only minutes left on the clock.
Ninety minutes was up and
it was total surprise that greeted the ref opting to add another four minutes of
injury time to the play, Whites fans feared the worst and once again those fears
were justified as on 93 minutes Sean Ward’s cross was connected with by Michael Halliday
and the ball finished in the back of the Lisburn Distillery goal. Heartbreak then
and a cruel twist to a game that a reviving Lisburn Distillery deserved to take something
from.
Glentoran - Morris, Nixon, Leeman, Ward, Black, Gillespie, Clarke, McCabe, Neill,
Hamilton, Halliday Subs Fordyce (replaced Black 64), Waterworth (replaced Gillespie
75), Fitzgerald (replaced McCabe 75), Jo. Taylor (not used), Ja. Taylor (not used)
Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, S. Thompson, Simpson, Callaghan, McShane, Gawley,
Melaugh, Kilmartin, Whelan, Hamill, Corey subs Rogers (replaced Gawley 86), Shaw
(replaced Hamill 46), Walsh (replaced Corey 67), Kingsberry (not used), Patton (not
used)
Referee - Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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06 October 2009 - Match 07 - Lisburn Distillery 1 Linfield 2
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Once again another battling performance from the Whites yielded nothing in terms
of points but yet again they could leave the field with their
heads held high as
they gave as good as they got against a Linfield team who knew they simply couldn’t
afford to drop any further league points in their quest for the title.
The Whites
had started brightly with Rory Hamill being the first to go close when his effort
after 10 minutes was blocked by the Linfield
defence. Linfield themselves then went
close on 15 minutes when, from a Curran free kick, Munster headed goalward only to
see his effort go
narrowly wide. It was Munster again who almost broke the deadlock
on 21 minutes when his effort did beat Matthews but Mark Patton was on hand to hack
the ball clear off the home goal line. However a goal was eventually to come for
the visitors on 24 minutes as Lowry broke on the left and in an attempt to clear
the danger the ball struck Callaghan and bounced into the goal although truthfully
there was very little the defender could have done about it.
The Whites continued
to work hard and their efforts were rewarded on 31 minutes when a Hamill corner wasn’t
cleared by the Linfield defence and midfielder Gavin Whelan was on hand to head home
via the upright. One each then at the break and hopes were high that the Whites could
go to take something from the game in the second period of play.
And indeed the Whites
did come out all guns blazing and were unlucky not to take the lead on 48 minutes
when some great play from winger Mark Patton left the Linfield defence in tatters
but his cross was inches away from the foot of the incoming Stuart Thompson. Linfield
then had chances from Lowry and Mulgrew before another great Lisburn Distillery chance
went begging when on 54 minute a well struck effort by the running Stephen Shaw was
only parried by Blayney in the visitors goal but Patton wasn’t able to react quick
enough to turn the ball into the goal as the ‘keeper lay sprawled on the floor. Munster
then missed a decent chance to give the Blues the lead on 75 minutes but then less
than sixty seconds later he made amends turning well to drive the ball home after
he had received it from a long throw in.
The Whites battled hard to get back into
the game in the dying stages but it was not be as their run of games without a league
victory
stretched to twelve games.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, S Thompson, Callaghan, Simpson (Rogers 53), McShane,
Shaw, Whelan, Kilmartin, Patton, Gawley (Kingsberry 77), Hamill (Walsh 81) . Subs:
G.Thompson, Murphy.
Linfield – Blayney, Ervin, Douglas, Lindsay, Curran, Carvill,
Lowry (Gault 77), Mulgrew, Tomelty (Allen 29), Munster, Miskimmin (BJ Burns 68).
Subs: McCaul, McHugh.
Referee: Trevor Moutray (Dundonald)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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10 October 2009 - Match 13 - Glenavon 2 Lisburn Distillery 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Terence Mann and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Terence Mann
Glenavon remain in second place after this victory but the score-line doesn't reveal
that Lisburn Distillery dominated the opening twenty-five
minutes and outplayed the
Lurgan side in the second-half.
Games though are won by not conceding, and scoring,
goals and Glenavon took the lead on 28 minutes when a deep cross from Shea Campbell
was headed goalward by Willo McDonagh. Phil Matthews made a good stop but the ball
came back out into play and Trevor Molloy reacted quickest to slot home from close
range.
Tommy Wright's side were stunned; in the third minute Andrew Plummer had made
a good stop to keep out Rory Hamill's free-kick but Neal Gawley's follow-up shot
lacked the power to beat the Glenavon keeper. Gawley went even closer twenty minutes
later; Pat McShane chipped the ball forward, Hamill chested the ball on and Gawley
smashed a shot from sixteen yards out against the post with Plummer well-beaten.
The
Whites had the upper-hand until Molloy's goal and then Marty Quinn's side took control
for the remainder of the half. On 32 minutes a cross was mis-judged and Molloy was
almost in again. Three minutes later the Whites were two down. Possession was lost
and Glenavon defender Jay Magee cracked a low thirty-yard shot through a mass of
players and past the unsighted Matthews into the bottom corner. It was a good strike
but a soft goal to concede; there had been opportunity to close Magee down and the
Whites paid the price for not doing it.
The Whites took the game to Marty Quinn's
side in the second-half – Matthews didn't have a save to make. On 55 minutes Gawley
was brought down from behind and he made no mistake firing home a gem of a free-kick.
Seven minutes later Stuart Thompson crossed but although striker Davitt Walsh dived
full-length he couldn't make contact with the ball.
On 75 minutes Aaron Callaghan
went on a run down the middle of the park, he drifted slightly wide before crossing
and the under-pressure
Glenavon defence cleared only as far as Philip Simpson but
he blazed over.
Mark Patton then ghosted down the left but his low ground-shot drifted
wide. On 76 minutes Plummer made a good save to push over an angled drive from Callaghan.
It was all Lisburn Distillery but despite the pressure they continue to lack that
cutting edge in front of goal.
In injury time another effort from Hamill flashed inches
past the upright. The second-half was easily the Whites best performance of the
season
but points make prizes and it was a major disappointment that the side didn't get
what they deserved from this game.
Glenavon - Plummer, Campbell, Magee, Walsh, Grant,
Molloy (Murray 88), McDonagh, Carvill, Gracey, Costello (Liggett 67), Harpur. Subs
not
used: Harper, Turkington, Haughey.
Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, S. Thompson, Callaghan. Simpson, McShane , Kilmartin,
G.Thompson (Cooling 63), Hamill, Shaw (Patton 74),
Kingsberry (D. Walsh 40), Gawley.
Subs not used:Murphy, Melaugh
Referee: Trevor Moutray (Dundonald)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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17 October 2009 - Match 14 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Institute 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
It was a case of lucky 14 for the Whites as their miserable start to the season was
finally brought to an end with this vital win over fellow strugglers Institute. Ironically,
in what was one of their poorest displays of late, the Whites did enough to warrant
the three points although doubtless manager Tommy Wright will have been disappointed
that once again a goal was conceded.
The first half saw the Whites dominate possession however it was the visitors who
created the best chances, firstly on 12 minutes when Shaun Holmes saw his effort
parried by Whites ‘keeper Phil Matthews onto the post and away to safety and then
a well struck Ramsey free kick on 25 minutes was deflected wide for a corner. Ramsey
had a further chance on 35 minutes when he dragged a decent chance wide of the post
and then Declan Divin tested Matthews again with a great effort on 38 minutes only
for the ever alert home keeper to tip the ball over the crossbar. The Whites, despite
all their possession, were not able to create clear cut chances although they did
have a great chance on 40 minutes when Gary Thompson played a great pass to Neal
Gawley who hit a powerful strike only to see the ball turned over by the visiting
keeper Cullen. This however seemed to give the Whites the spark they needed as only
two minutes later they did go a goal up when recent signing Davitt Walsh was on hand
to head home from eight yards for a goal which gave the home side the lead in a league
game for the first time this season.
The goal doubtless spurred the home side on and it almost became 2-0 shortly after
the restart when on 47 minutes a great ball in from Stephen Shaw saw visiting keeper
Cullen just getting to the ball before Walsh could strike goal-ward. A second goal
however was to follow though on 66 minutes after a great through pass by Glenn Ferguson
set Gawley free and his inch perfect cross was drilled home by the in-rushing Shaw.
Two nil up then and time to relax? Not a chance of it as Institute pulled a goal
back on 71 minutes as Ramsey hit a tremendous finish into the top corner of the home
goal leaving Matthews helpless in its’ wake. After this the visitors pushed hard
to tie the game but this in turn left gaps at the back which really should have been
exploited when firstly Hamill on 79 minutes dragged an easy chance wide and then
deep into injury time the same player missed another glorious opportunity missing
an absolute sitter from eight yards out.
The full time whistle sounded, a huge sigh of relief for all Lisburn Distillery supporters,
and hopefully a first win that will spark the club onto greater strides forward in
the weeks to come.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, S.Thompson, Simpson, Callaghan, McShane, G.Thompson
(Melaugh 67) , Shaw, Kilmartin, Gawley (Patton 82), Ferguson, Walsh (Hamill 73).
Subs: Corey, Kingsberry.
Institute – Cullen, Crown (Friel 80), McLaughlin, Ogilby, Holmes, Semple (Blackburn
64), Bonar, McClean, Divin, Ramsey, Brown. Subs: Lowry, McMenamin, Seydak.
Referee – Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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17 October 2009 - Match 15 - Newry City 0 Lisburn Distillery 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
A disputed penalty in the last few minutes of play turned out to be enough to ensure
that Lisburn Distillery gained three more precious points in their quest for league
survival but in truth the game was a dour war of attrition with neither side deserving
to take the spoils.
The first main chance of the game came on 13 minutes when Whites’ defender Aaron
Callaghan put in a great block to prevent Garrett from getting a clear shot on target
for the hosts. McDonnell headed wide when well placed on 31 minutes as Newry held
the upper hand with Lisburn Distillery struggling to get going and indeed at times
they rode their luck to stay in the game as the usually unflappable Matthews spilt
a few crosses and shots in the wet and windy conditions.
There were doubtless stern words issued by manager Wright in his half-time team talk
as the Whites came out and proceeded to lift their game.
Only four minutes into the half and a good chance fell for Davitt Walsh but his effort
was skied well over the bar when really he should have done better after good work
from Gavin Melaugh to set him free in the first place. Newry fought back with Henderson
hitting a good effort from 35 yards which had to be parried by Matthews and then
on 67 minutes Chris Morgan hit a good effort that beat Matthews only for the ball
to rebound to safety off the post.
Skipper Pater McCann then made a welcome return to the side coming on as a sub and
within minutes he almost marked his return with a goal. Fellow substitute Gareth
Corey used his great pace to outstrip the Newry defence and played a great ball in
to the in-rushing McCann but his effort hit the Newry cross bar and bounced over
for a goal kick.
At this stage a goalless draw looked like the only outcome for the game but Lisburn
Distillery were not finished yet and on 87 minutes the game swung their way. Once
again Corey’s pace outstripped the Newry defence and as he stormed towards the goal
home defender Ross Black hauled him down. Referee Simon Creaney felt the offence
was inside the box, the Newry players didn’t, and awarded a penalty to the visitors
with leading scorer Glenn Ferguson making no mistake in wrapping up the points.
Three more big points then for Lisburn Distillery and maybe, just maybe, lady luck
is starting to shine her face upon them.
Team line-ups to follow shortly
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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27 October 2009 - Match 16 - Dungannon Swifts 2 Lisburn Distillery 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Suspensions and injuries to key players led to Lisburn Distillery fielding a rather
dis-jointed line up against Dungannon and this in turn led to a ragged performance
which saw the Whites recent revival grind to a halt. Suspensions to Pat McShane,
Andy Kilmartin and Stuart Thompson and injury to captain Peter McCann meant the Whites
had to put out a side which seemed set to struggle but, at least in the first half
anyhow, they more than matched their opponents.
Dungannon dominated the possession from the kick off but the Whites defence held
firm to a man thus restricting the home side to a limited number of clear cut chances.
Indeed the Whites had the first decent effort on 21 minutes when Gareth Corey cut
inside the home defence but placed his effort over the cross bar and then on 32 minutes
defender Philip Simpson hit another effort over the top when set up nicely by Glenn
Ferguson from a corner. The home side did have a lot of the ball, that said and were
unlucky not to take the lead just before the break as a well struck free-kick forced
Whites’ Phil Matthews into a full stretch save to divert the ball wide for a corner.
All square then at half time but all of Lisburn Distillery’s hard work in the first
half was undone really early in the second period as a great through ball found striker
Andy Hamilton and he ran clear of the Whites’ defence before calmly placing a neat
finish past the advancing Matthews in the 46th minute of play.
The Whites continued to battle hard but it seemed game over on 58 minutes when a
decent cross by the home side was converted well by the head of Timmy Adamson to
give the hosts a two goal cushion. After this it was all hands to the pump for the
visitors although they did glean a little glimmer of hope on 84 minutes when Glenn
Ferguson was on hand to drill home from 12 yards out past the diving Alvin Rouse
in the home goal. All of a sudden the Lisburn Distillery heads lifted as they sensed
they could maybe get something out of the game and indeed they almost did when in
the second minute of injury time as Ferguson cleverly lobbed the home keeper only
to see his effort headed back off the line and then as Gawley dived into head it
back towards the goal it went narrowly wide with Rouse stranded. A penalty appeal
was also made by the visitors as Kinsgberry appeared to be knocked over in the box
but referee Hunter was having none of it opting instead to book Kingsberry.
So a defeat then but given the nature of the line up forced onto the visitors by
exterior circumstances the Whites left Stangmore Park with their confidence intact.
Team line-ups to follow shortly
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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31 October 2009 - Third Round - First Leg - Lisburn Distillery v Coleraine - Abandoned
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright David Hunter and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from David Hunter
There was sixteen minutes play at New Grosvenor before the game was abandoned after
the worst few minutes of weather possibly ever seen at New Grosvenor.
There was little sign of the drama to come as the game kicked off on a perfect pitch.
Coleraine midfielder Darren Boyce headed across goal from the back post on 5 minutes
when he was well placed to score. Boyce then shot wide from the edge of the area
after a pass from Stephen Dooley and at this stage the weather was getting worse.
Thunder and lightning overhead was followed by a torrent of rain and huge hailstones.
The players were beginning to suffer in the conditions and Phil Matthew made a good
save to turn away a Rory Patterson shot on 14 minutes. Two minutes later referee
Raymond Heatherington took both sides off.
When the rain and hail did eventually stop, match officials and managers pottered
about the pitch to see if play could resume but with pockets of surface water in
various places referee Heatherington finally blew up on 38 minutes. The ball was
not clearly not running freely and with further pools of water on the pitch it was
the right if unfortunate decision
“Sense has to prevail and the right decision has been made” said Whites; boss Tommy
Wright afterwards, “although we all were happy to continue but obviously the referee
has to make that decision.”
Coleraine counterpart, David Platt, had no arguments but like many in the game he
was concerned at the mounting fixture list adding; “Obviously I wanted the game played,
fixture congestion for us is going to be horrendous over the next month. It adds
even more to your woes. Conditions were terrible, I never saw hail like it, it was
probably the right decision but I dearly wish the game had been played.”
At the time of writing no date has yet been set of the re-arranged game to take place.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, Callaghan, Simpson, Mok, McShane, Melaugh, Shaw, kilmartin,
Gawley, walsh, Ferguson. Subs: S.Thompson, Patton, Corey, McCann, Kingsberry.
Coleraine – O'Hare, Beverland, Mukendi, McVey, Watt, Dooley, Boyce, Hegarty, O'Kane,
Harkin, Patterson. Subs: McCallion, Tommins, Carson, Tolan, Canning.
Referee: Raymond Heatherington
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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03 November 2009 - Match 18 - Linfield 2 Lisburn Distillery 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
Match Report to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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07 November 2009 - Match 17 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Portadown 3
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright David Hunter and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from David Hunter
Back in August Lisburn Distillery lost 6-1 to Portadown at Shamrock Park – a night
of dire defending that included two own goals. A repeat was definitely not going
to be on the cards but equally those who may have thought that the Whites had since
resolved their defensive frailties will not want to watch a replay of the second-half.
The sides went even at the break although the Whites had fared better over the period.
A last ditch challenge blocked a Stuart Thompson effort on five minutes before Portadown
responded with efforts from Gary McCutcheon and Kevin Braniff; the latter saw his
shot deflected wide. Andy Kilmartin saw a long range effort go wide on 20 minutes,
and seven minutes later Neal Gawley surged forward, cut inside and was unlucky to
see his shot deflect wide after a good interception by Darren Kelly.
The best move of the half saw Alan Teggart head a McCutcheon cross over just two
minutes later. Ross Redman was then booked for a scything tackle on Davitt Walsh.
The referee played advantage, Peter McCann saw an effort blocked, his follow up curled
just wide before the referee went back to book Redman.
Gawley had to go off after 34 minutes and McCutcheon ended the half with a long-range
speculative lob that went wide.
The Whites had the balance of play but all that counted for nothing after Portadown
ended their seven year without a victory at New Grosvenor with three goals in a killer
thirteen minute spell in the second-half.
The visitors did all the pressing and took the lead after a Braniff strike on the
hour mark exactly. Substitute Richard Lecky who had came on for Neil Teggart had
made life difficult for the home defence and he was at hand on 62 minutes to stab
home the rebound after Matthews had made two super saves to keep out fierce. The
goal was rough on Matthews but again the ball wasn’t cleared.
The Whites then had a rare chance to pull a goal back on 69 minutes but Glenn Ferguson
headed over with the target in front of him. That was that and three minutes later,
Matthews made a good stop from Wesley Boyle, Lecky was on hand again but this time
his shot was cleared off the line by Jason Mok. The ball though never got out of
the area and it was then partially cleared as far as McCutcheon and he buried it
into the corner – game most definitely over for the Whites.
A simple post-match response from manager Tommy Wright summed up the second-half
– “We couldn’t defend” he said.
Lisburn Distillery: Matthews, S.Thompson, Simpson, Callaghan (Mok 67), McShane, McCann,
Kilmartin, Melaugh, Gawley (Patton 34), Walsh (Browne 71), Ferguson. Subs: Hamill,
Corey.
Portadown: Miskelly, McCluskey, Hunter, Kelly, Redman, Boyle, Mouncey, Braniff, A.Teggart
(Haire 88), McCutcheon, N.Teggart (Lecky 53). Subs: Armstrong, Convery, Mackle, Leckey.
Referee: Simon Creaney (Newtownards)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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10 November 2009 - Third Round - First Leg - Lisburn Distillery 1 Coleraine 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright David Hunter and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from David Hunter
After Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Portadown, news came through that Coleraine had thumped
champions Glentoran six-nil. With the Whites due to play them in this game, manager
Tommy Wright looked on the Whites’ side of life. “They have just beaten Glentoran
six so I will not be looking forward to it when I am enjoying my Sunday dinner” joked
the Whites’ boss. “But it's a different game on Tuesday night; it's a cup game, nothing
will be decided on Tuesday night but we will have to make sure that we are in a position
after the game to go up to Coleraine with a lead or at least a draw to make sure
that we have something to play for.”
His team got the win and have something to play for thanks to a cracking 35 yard
strike from Andy Kilmartin. Kilmartin lashed the shot in, Coleraine keeper Davy
O'Hare was caught off-guard and the back of the net bulged. Then after Mark Mukendi
had been booked for a foul on Glenn Ferguson, O'Hare raced out to clear from Davitt
Walsh on 14 minutes.
The Bannsiders then came back into game – a Stephen Carson free-kick drifted across
the area and Darren Boyce then had a shot blocked on the edge of the box before Peter
McCann fired a cross well wide after a good ball from Ferguson.
Three minutes before the break Phil Matthews was down to gather a snapshot from Jody
Tolan before Boyce shot wide after racing on to a long ball up field. He pushed the
ball wide of Matthews but his effort also went wide of the post. Seconds later it
was a similar tale for Whites' midfielder Gavin Melaugh as he scuffed Peter McCann's
cross wide from a few yards out.
Carson scooped a shot over after the break before Matthews clutched a shot from Stephen
Dooley. Matthews then went scrambling across the goal to keep out a Carson free-kick
before Gary Browne, returning from injury, forced O'Hare into the save of the game
on 75 minutes.
The Whites defended deep but the closest the Bannsiders came to breaching them was
on 79 minutes when Tolan stabbed Dooley's shot over the bar from ten yards out.
A win for the Whites and a lead that they now take to Coleraine on Tuesday 01 December
2009.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, McCann, S.Thompson, McAlinden, Mok, Melaugh, Kilmartin,
Cooling, Browne (Corey 83), Ferguson, Walsh (Hamill 73). Subs: McShane, Kingsberry,
Patton.
Coleraine: O'Hare, Canning, Mukendi, McVey, Watt , Hegarty, Dooley, Tommons (O'Kane
72), Boyce, Tolan, Carson, Subs: Crossan, McCallion, Beverland, Neill.
Referee: Raymond Heatherington (Dungannon)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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28 November 2009 - Match 20 - Ballymena United 0 Lisburn Distillery
1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Lisburn Distillery ‘s hopes of escaping the dreaded end of season drop zone received
a massive boost with this fine single goal victory at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
However it wasn’t to be all plain sailing as the home side dominated the proceedings
in the first half with only a battling defensive display keeping them at bay for
the first 45 minutes.
Whites ‘keeper Phil Matthews had to be on top of his game for the entire first period
saving firstly from a deflected free kick from Darren Lockhart after only 7 minutes.
Efforts for the visitors were limited although Gary Thompson should have done better
on 16 minutes as he found himself in space in the United penalty box only to see
his effort blocked before he got the chance to pull the trigger. Glenn Ferguson also
placed an effort wide on 18 minutes but it was United who controlled the majority
of the half. Matthews made a great double save on 32 minutes from ex-Lisburn Distillery
player Nathan McConnell whose first effort was well saved with the visiting ‘keeper
having to be even sharper to turn the returning header from Kevin Kelbie over the
cross bar. The Whites then rode their luck a little on 44 minutes when Matthews made
a rare error dropping the ball but Lockhart was unable to find the target, his shot
going narrowly wide.
Whatever manager Tommy Wright said at half time it certainly seemed to work with
the Whites returning for the second half looking an entirely different side; indeed
they almost took an early lead in the second period when a David McAlinden free-kick
was spilt by the home keeper who had to recover sharply to save at the second attempt.
A further chance followed on 62 minutes when Glenn Ferguson was given a free header
but somehow managed to head wide but he was soon to make amends as he scored the
only goal of the game on 64 minutes driving home in off the post when the ball broke
free to him. Substitute Davitt Walsh then drove straight at the ‘keeper when well
placed on 75 minutes and the same player then headed narrowly wide on 84 minutes.
The Whites last chance fell to skipper Peter McCann who headed over following a
great cross from substitute Neal Gawley.
Three big points then and the Whites proved once again they are not for lying down
in the race to avoid relegation.
Team Line- ups to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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12 December 2009 - Match 21 - Lisburn Distillery 3 Coleraine 2
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
This superb victory against the leagues’ in-form side, Coleraine, gave the Whites
their second consecutive Premiership victory and by gaining the three points they
brought the points deficit back to only four points from nearest rivals Institute.
The Whites started really brightly, immediately going after their opponents and it
wasn’t long before those efforts led to an early goal. Only eight minutes had been
played when a free kick was awarded to the hosts following a foul on Chris Kingsberry.
The resultant free-kick was played into the box with skipper Peter McCann being on
hand to stab home following a slow response by the visitors’ defence. A great start
then for the Whites and even better was to follow; on 15 minutes it became two nil.
The ball went out wide to Gary Thompson and his cross was once again met by McCann
to score his, and the Whites, second of the day. The Coleraine players were unhappy
that referee Mark Courtney allowed the goal to stand as they argued that the linesman
had flagged for an infringement, but the referee had played advantage and the goal
stood.
A vital two goal cushion then for the home side but this was to be halved on 24 minutes
when Tommy McCallion hit an audacious shot over Phil Matthews from all of 35 yards
but to his credit it proved to be spot on as his effort hit the underside of the
ball before nestling in the back of the goal. Coleraine then really went after the
Whites and the home supporters earlier cheers of delight were to turn to despair
as the Bannsiders tied the game on 29 minutes. O’Kane slipped the ball through to
Carson who shrugged off Stuart Thompson’s challenge before slipping the ball past
the advancing Matthews to finish a well taken goal. At that stage it was the visitors
who held the upper hand and indeed they could have gone in at the break ahead only
for Darren Boyce missing, when well placed with, only Matthews to beat on 45 minutes.
Two all then at the break but the Whites were soon back in the driving seat when
early in the second half Gary Thompson went on a driving run on 48 minutes before
being tripped by McVey and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Glenn Ferguson
to keep a cool head and convert the resultant spot kick to steer the Whites back
into the lead. After that Coleraine once again pressed hard for an equaliser with
Matthews having to be alert on 64 minutes when Patterson struck a shot that was blocked
by the keeper’s outstretched legs. With Coleraine pressing forward the Whites were
now able to find gaps at the back towards the end of the game with Davitt Walsh coming
the closest on 89 minutes only for Davy O’Hare in the Coleraine goal to produce a
great stop.
A superb win then for the Whites and one that keeps their season very much alive.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, S.Thompson, McAlinden, McChrystal, McShane, G.Thompson,
McCann, Kilmartin, Gawley, Kingsberry (Walsh 82), Ferguson. Subs: Cooling, Callaghan,
Patton, Anderson.
Coleraine – O'Hare, Beverland (Tommons 78), McVey, Mukendi, Harkin, Boyce (Dooley
87), Hegarty, McCallion, O,Kane, Carson, Patterson (Gibson 83). Subs: Crossan, Canning.
Referee: Mark Courtney (Cookstown)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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19 December 2009 - Match 22 - Crusaders 2 Lisburn Distillery 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
After their very positive performance over Coleraine only seven days previous the
Whites went to Seaview in a buoyant mood but left in a dejected one as the home side
played them off the park and claimed three very easy points in the process.
After an initial early chance that was driven wildly wide by Chris Kingsberry the
home side began to take control of the game and they almost took the lead on 13 minutes
when an effort by Eamon Doherty hit the post after good work between him and Jordan
Owens. On 20 minutes Owens was again in the thick of the action as he beat the offside
trap only for his lobbed effort to clear Matthews but also to nudge agonisingly wide
of the Lisburn Distillery goal. Crusaders dominated the game and Rainey saw his
goal bound effort cleared and from the rebound Donnelly also saw his effort blocked.
No score then at the break but any hopes of a Lisburn Distillery upset were soon
to be dashed as the Crues took the lead on 58 minutes although there was a stroke
of good fortune about it. The ball had been crossed in and from 18 yards out David
Rainey had struck an effort which seemed destined to go well wide but it took a
wicked deflection off Whites’ defender Stuart Thompson and streaked into the back
of the net giving keeper Matthews no chance.
The game was as good as over on 76 minutes when the home side scored their second.
A corner had been floated in by Donnelly the Whites defence failed to clear their
lines and the home skipper Colin Coates was on hand to slam the ball home from six
yards out. Further efforts were to follow from Owens and Arthurs and only some good
goalkeeping kept the score-line at 2-0
An extremely disappointing performance then for the Whites and, with results elsewhere
going against them one that leaves them right back in the relegation mire.
Crusaders - Keenan, McKeown, McBride, Magowan, Coates, McCann, Doherty, McMaster
(Black 82), Rainey (Arthurs 73), Donnelly, Owens. Subs not used: Hogg, Martin, Magee.
Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, S. Thompson, McAlinden, McChrystal, McShane, Kingsberry
(Melaugh 75), McCann, Kilmartin (Walsh 65), Gawley (Patton 55), G. Thompson, Ferguson.
Subs not used: Callaghan, Cooling.
Referee - Keith Halliday (Bangor)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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16 January 2010 - Fifth Round - Lisburn Distillery 0 Cliftonville 2
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
The draw for the JJB Sports Irish Cup always brings hope for all senior sides that
they might be given a home tie against junior opposition thus more or less guaranteeing
them a safe passage into the next round; so when the Whites were drawn against last
years’ beaten finalists Cliftonville the club knew that they faced a very difficult
hurdle indeed.
As it happened on the day the hurdle was insurmountable as the hard working visitors
easily put the Whites to the sword and ran out easy winners.
Cliftonville started well and could have taken the lead on eight minutes as a teasing
cross from Ronan Scannell evaded everyone in the six yard area and was cleared but
this early relief for the Whites was to be short lived as the Reds did take the lead
on 11 minutes. The ball had bobbled around the home eighteen yard area before falling
to the Reds’ Kieran O’Connor who drilled a sweet shot low into the corner of the
home goal leaving keeper Matthews with no chance.
To their credit the home side didn’t let the heads drop and indeed thought they had
levelled the game on 13 minutes when young Mark Patton beat the offside trap, lobbed
Red’s keeper Connolly and was almost celebrating an equaliser only to see the effort
bounce off the post and out to safety. Only two minutes later a superbly struck Gary
Browne effort was well parried by Connolly as the Whites fought hard to get back
into the game.
The tie at that stage seemed to be well in the balance but then on 41 minutes disaster
struck as the visitors doubled their advantage and once again it was that man O’Connor
who did the damage. McMullan’s initial swerving effort forced Matthews into a save,
the ball then ricocheted off a Distillery defender, looped onto the home crossbar
and despite Matthews best efforts to keep it out it fell kindly to O’Connor who made
no mistake from four yards out.
At 0-2 down it was always going to be an uphill battle for Lisburn Distillery and
although they battled hard in the second half they only had one decent goal-bound
effort, a sweetly struck volley from Patton that drew an great reflex save from Connolly,
to show for their efforts.
So then an early cup exit then for the Whites leaving the quest to avoid relegation
as their only remaining target for the season.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, S.Thompson, Simpson, McChrystal, McShane (Gawley 69),
McCann (Cooling 46), Melaugh (Kingsberry 46), Callaghan, Patton, Ferguson, Browne.
Subs: McAlinden, Walsh.
Cliftonville – Connolly, R.Scannell, B.Holland, Donaghy, McMullan, C.Scannell, Caldwell(Dunlop
90), Boyce (Jones 90), O'Connor, Patterson (Clarke 75), Hutton. Subs: O'Hara,,Brennan.
Referee: Trevor Moutray (Dundonald)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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19 January 2010 - Match 24 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Glenavon 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
One more league point then for the Whites from this re-arranged Premiership game
however it will be a game that they will look back on and think that they could have
easily taken all three.
Played with a gale force wind throughout it was always going to be the side that
had the elements in their favour that was going to pose the most threat and this
indeed proved to the case as the visitors had the better of the first- half.
The first decent opening of the game fell to the visitors Costello on 19 minutes
but his lobbed effort went narrowly wide of the home goal much to the relief of the
home support. The away side continued to press but to their credit the Whites were
working really hard at both ends of the pitch and almost took the lead when debutant
Austin Friel produced a great turn and shot on 23 minutes only for the visitors keeper
Plummer to make the first of what would be a string of great saves during the game.
During the first half the visitors did manage to get the ball into the Lisburn Distillery
goal on two occasions but both times their joy was to be short-lived as both were
ruled out for offside.
Second half saw the Whites have the advantage of the strong wind and they made full
use of it and will wonder how they didn’t manage to score from the chances created.
Firstly Cooling tested the visiting keeper with a well struck free kick on 61 minutes
but although Plummer couldn’t hold the effort Whites defender Simpson was unable
to place the ball into the net from the rebound. It was Plummer to the rescue again
on 63 minutes as the impressive Patton found himself in the clear but his lob was
superbly saved by the visiting keeper.
Costello then cleared off the line for Glenavon as the Whites drove on searching
for a winning goal but in the end it wasn’t to come as the game came to a goalless
conclusion.
One more point then for the Whites and only when the end of season table is published
we will know just how crucial that was to them.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, Callaghan, Simpson, McAlinden, McShane, Cooling, G.Thompson,
Kilmartin, Patton (Gawley 71), Ferguson (Browne 86), Friel (Walsh 79). Subs not used:
Mok, McAllister.
Glenavon: - Plummer, Haughey, Dickson, Magee, Davey, Walsh, Harpur, Johnston, King,
Costello (Campbell 88), Grant (Liggett 83). Subs not used: Murray, McDonagh, Carvill.
Referee: David Dunlop (Antrim)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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23 January 2010 - Match 27 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Dungannon Swifts 5
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Lisburn Distillery went into this game determined to make the most of Dungannon’s
recent erratic form but on the day it was the Whites whose form proved to be erratic
and in the end they were to end the game with nothing.
The visitors got off to a flyer on only five minutes with a poor back header letting
the Swifts recent signing Chris Morgan nip in before calmly slotting the ball past
Phil Matthews. Former Whiteman Alain Emerson was then allowed acres of space to
head home a McIlmoyle corner on 12 minutes as the visitors threatened to run the
home side ragged.
The Whites however simply refused to lie down and instead took the game by the scruff
off the neck and went searching for a way back into the match forcing Dungannon back
on every occasion. It was no surprise then when their efforts were rewarded on 21
minutes when, following an initial effort from Austin Friel, that debutant Joe McDonnell
was on hand to blast home from 12 yards out to reduce the deficit.
Buoyed on by that effort the Whites continued to fight and on 40 minutes they were
awarded a penalty as the referee spotted Swifts defender Johnny Montgomery handle
the ball in the penalty area. Up stepped Gary Browne to level the game and the Whites
were very much in the ascendency.
However, just when we thought that the home side could go on to take something out
of the game, for some unknown reason they collapsed. In fact they couldn’t even reach
half time with the scores level as the visitors scored another goal just on the stroke
of half time, this time from Timmy Adamson who had been allowed to score a simple
header as the home defence stood still like statues.
Second half was all Dungannon as Ryan Mullan increased their lead on 64 minutes and
Michael Ward lobbed home sweetly on 75 minutes to make it 5-2. Indeed the Whites
were lucky to get away with only conceding five given their defensive frailties on
the day.
So it’s back to the drawing board then for manager Tommy Wright as he somehow ponders
as to how to close the door to prevent other sides breaching the Whites defence so
easily.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, Callaghan, Simpson, McAlinden, McShane, Cooling, Kilmartin,
G.Thompson (Patton 79), McDonnell (Ferguson 61), Browne, Friel (Gawley 69). Subs:
S.Thompson, Walsh.
Dungannon Swifts – Rouse, Mullan, Ferguson, Montgomery, McClean, Ward, McCafferty,
Emerson (Callacher 78), McIlmoyle (Murphy 81), Adamson, Morgan (Forker 72). Subs:
McCann, McAlliskey.
Referee: Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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06 February 2010 - Match 29 - Lisburn Distillery 0 Linfield 5
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
Lisburn Distillery were completely overpowered on the day by a Linfield side who,
based on this performance, would seem destined once again to become Irish league
champions.
The Whites started the game okay and indeed had an early half-chance when Gary Browne
had a shot come cross cleared off the line after only 6 minutes, then a Gary Thompson
effort on 14 minutes went narrowly wide. Glenn Ferguson then thought he had broke
the deadlock on 17 minutes when he had a powerful header from a corner on 18 minutes
but a great save by Linfield keeper Blayney denied him.
Linfield however soon stepped up a gear and it was no surprise when they took the
lead on 22 minutes; former Whites’ hero Curtis Allen put the dagger into his old
side scoring a glancing header from a Robert Garrett cross. Goalkeeper Phil Matthews
then kept the home side in the game two minutes later as he produced a great double
save to deny firstly Mulgrew then Garrett from the rebound. A second however was
soon to follow on 33 minutes when Lowry headed a Gallagher cross back towards goal
and Carvill was on hand to double the visitor’s advantage.
Second half saw Linfield continue to dominate the game as the Whites struggled to
cope with their pressing football and it was no surprise when goal number three came
on 71 minutes although it did come about in a somewhat bizarre manner. The ball
had been passed back to the previously impeccable Matthews but as Linfield striker
Peter Thompson closed down his attempted clearance the ball hit the Linfield striker
and ended up in the back of the home goal.
Understandably the Lisburn Distillery heads dropped at that point and it was no surprise
when the Blues wrapped up the game by adding two further goals; firstly on 84 minutes
from Mark McAllister then an injury time strike from the returning Peter Thompson.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, McCann, Callaghan (Simpson 39),S.Thompson, McShane,
G.Thompson, Kilmartin (McDonnell 70), Cooling,
Ferguson, Friel (Gawley 46), Browne.
Subs not used: Nash, Patton.
Linfield – Blayney, Burns, Bailie, Murphy, Gallagher, Lowry, Garrett,Mulgrew (Gault
77), Tomelty (Carvill 27), Allen (McAllister 77), P
Thompson. Subs: Douglas, O'Kane.
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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09 February 2010 - Match 25 - Glentoran 2 Lisburn Distillery 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Edward White and Lisburn
Distillery.net
Match Report from Edward White
A battling performance on the night by the Whites but in the end all their efforts
led to nothing as the Glens got the rub of the green and as a result all three points
on offer.
The Whites almost got off to dream start after only three minutes when they were
rewarded a free kick on the edge of the Glentoran area, up stepped Gary Browne but
his well struck effort wasn’t met by any of the Lisburn Distillery players in the
box and subsequently was easily gathered by home goalkeeper Elliott Morris.
It was a tight affair after that but the Glens had their first real chance on 22
minutes when Gary Hamilton beat the defence before unleashing a decent strike that
was well parried by Matthews in the Lisburn Distillery goal. On 30 minutes it was
Hamilton again on hand to test Matthews but this time his header was easily dealt
with by the Whites’ stopper.
Scoreless then at half time and with the Whites defending well it looked like they
had every chance of getting something out of the game. However that optimism was
to be ill founded as the Glens did get the breakthrough goal on 65 minutes although
it should be said in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. A very soft free kick had
been awarded on the edge of the box following a Paul Muir challenge on Andy Waterworth
and from the resultant free kick the ball took a wicked deflection off the Whites’
defensive wall before falling to Paul Leeman who hooked the ball home from eight
yards out.
Understandably the Whites were totally dejected by their bad luck but to their credit
the continued to battle hard and they thought their efforts had been rewarded on
78 minutes when an Aaron Nash effort was cleared off the line by Ward.
Matty Burrows rubbed salt into the Lisburn Distillery wounds deep into injury time
when he was allowed to ghost into the Whites area to finish from 12 yards out.
A decent performance then from the Whites but ultimately one that was yet again to
yield no points and with results elsewhere going against them on the night their
task to avoid relegation has now reached a critical stage.
Lisburn Distillery - Matthews, McCann, Callaghan, S.Thompson, Muir, G.Thompson,
McAllister, Cooling, McDonnell, Corey, Browne,
Subs: Friel (for G.Thompson) Kilmartin (for McAllister). Nash (for Corey), Simpson,
Gawley
Glentoran - line-up to follow
Referee: David Dunlop
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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16 February 2010 - Match 19 - Cliftonville 3 Lisburn Distillery 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
Match Report from Terence Mann
A cold winter's night at Solitude and second against bottom – another foregone conclusion
surely?
Well not quite; certainly on the basis of the first half that gap in the table was
not evident and the Whites should have had the ball in the home goal at least once.
Second half – well we will come to that shortly!
On 21 minutes Austin Friel broke on the right and laid the ball across the six yard
box only for it to be hoofed clear by the home defence. Yellow cards were then dished
out to Joe McDonnell (24) and Andy Kilmartin (29 mins) before the Whites should have
taken the lead. Friel outpaced veteran Peter Hutton and tried to lob John Connolly
from the edge of the box but the Reds keeper made a super save with an outstretched
arm. Stuart Thompson then had a header from a Friel corner before the Reds finished
the half strongly. On 42 minutes George McMullan went close with a blistering 35
yard effort before Liam Boyce forced a smart save from Phil Matthews right on the
whistle.
To the second-half then, and Cliftonville came at the Whites from the off, Ryan Catney
forcing Matthews into another good save. Kieran O'Connor was wide off target before
the Whites went behind on 65 minutes. O'Connor went on a run into the box, his effort
was blocked by Matthews but the ball was swept across the goalmouth, and despite
the presence of Stuart Thompson, the upcoming talent that is Liam Boyce wasn't going
to miss that from a handful of yards out.
Ten minutes later Chris Scannell thumped home a thunderous volley for the Reds' second
before McMullan netted the third at the back post on 80 minutes.
The Whites had made an appearance for 45 minutes and deservedly been level at the
break but like the game at The Oval, a solid first 45 minutes isn't enough. Second-half
it was back to type, conceding goals and a distinct lack of punch of front up front.
With games running out in the quest for survival we need results on the pitch and
manager Tommy Wright has set a target of four wins from the next seven games – now
clearly is the time for the side to deliver!
Team line-ups to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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02 March 2010 - Match 31 - Cliftonville 1 Lisburn Distillery 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
Match Report from Terence Mann
The final trip of the season to Solitude and another defeat despite a hard working
performance from the Whites.
Cliftonville though had a host of chances over the ninety minutes but equally they
could have ended up with only a point after the Whites rallied in the last ten minutes
of the game.
On 12 minutes, Chris Scannell held his head in his hands after drilling a shot wide.
Ryan Catney then sent Kieran O’Connor clear but he blasted over as a cry of “You’re
making them look good” echoed out from the away end. Glenn Ferguson fired over on
18 minutes, before keeper Phil Matthews had to be alert to turn over a dipping cross
from Reds’ midfielder Ciaran Caldwell.
The Reds looked certain to take the lead on 23 minutes, a mix-up between Stuart Thompson
and Matthews saw Chris Scannell in on goal, Matthews put in a tackle that delayed
the striker’s shot, by which time Thompson had got back on to the goal line. Scannell’s
shot cannoned off Thompson and away to safety.
After a delay following an injury to Peter Hutton, David McAlinden replaced the injured
Thompson and the substitute put in a good block to deny Caldwell. The visitors went
straight down the pitch and Joe McDonnell sent a low cross in but unfortunately Gavin
Melaugh miskicked on the edge of the box. Caldwell sliced wide before the save of
the half from Reds’ keeper John Connolly who sprang across the goalmouth to keep
out a fierce shot from Neal Gawley. The half finished with George McMullan firing
over.
Tommy Wright’s side had a let-off straight from the kick-off, O’Connor’s shot came
back off Matthews and Mark Holland fired over. The action was all at the visitors
end, the Reds’ creating a number of chances and equally missing them thanks to dogged
defending, commitment, off-target shots and an odd bit of luck. There were appeals
aplenty from the home support for hand-ball as the ball pinged about the box, but
finally, just perhaps when the Lisburn Distillery faithful thought they would secure
a precious point, the Reds kept their hopes of league success alive thanks to George
McMullan.
The Whites lost the ball wide right, it shouldn’t have happened; the ball was then
crossed in from the Cliftonville left wing and McMullan slotted home from 15 yards
out in what was the 80th minute.
It’s a pity he hadn’t scored earlier for all of a sudden the Whites went from a deep
defending side to one that for the first time in the game looked dangerous up front
(a rarity this season) and they should have got something from the game. On chances
created Cliftonville were well ahead but Distillery players and supporters were bitterly
frustrated at not being awarded two penalties late on. You might not have read about
them but if you were at the match you won’t have missed them. On 85 minutes Hutton
clearly made contact with substitute Gary Thompson as he attempted to clear – no
penalty decision from the referee despite the Whites’ vehement protests.
Two minutes later, Ferguson had a free-shot on goal but Connolly made another super
save, getting a strong arm down to save the low shot. Right at the death, the ball
was slipped into the box to substitute Seamus O’Donnell. Back to goal, he was tackled
from behind by Ciaran Donaghy and ended up horizontal on the turf. Amazingly, again,
the penalty appeal was turned down and whilst the Reds had easily been the better
side on the night those decisions made defeat even harder to take for the away supporters.
Team line-ups to follow
Referee: Keith Halliday
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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06 March 2010 - Match 32 - Coleraine 1 Lisburn Distillery 3
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and David Hunter
Match Report from David Hunter
Lisburn Distillery chalked up their best, and deserved, win of the season at Coleraine
on a sunny, early Spring, Saturday. The win means the Whites have beaten the Bannsiders
in three of their five meetings (all competitions) this season and those two defeats
at The Showgrounds were tight, so the Whites were always in with a chance and they
proved that over the ninety minutes.
They were ahead as early as the fourth minute, Glenn Ferguson knocking the ball wide
to Mark Cooling who stabbed it forward and Gavin Melaugh fired home past Davy O’Hare.
Coleraine striker Rory Patterson, back from international duty, fired over the bar
before a brief period of home pressure. Andy Kilmartin was forced to head off his
own goal-line and Phil Matthews then blocked the follow-up effort from Kyle McVey.
On 14 minutes though the home side were level, Darren Boyce heading home after a
corner had been missed by Matthews. Neal Gawley then fired over for the Whites, a
cross-goal header saw O’Hare scrambling across his goal-line and Paul Muir headed
over – there was certainly no sign of the Whites capitulating. Back came the Bannsiders;
Patterson volleyed wide and Matthews then saved Stephen Lowry’s shot. O’Hare then
dived full-length to keep out a fierce free-kick from Muir before Tommy Wright’s
side finished the half the stronger of the teams. Kilmartin headed Gawley’s cross
straight at O’Hare, on the whistle, and in added time O’Hare made another save at
his near post to deny Gawley who was causing plenty of problems for the home defence.
A minute after the break, Ferguson’s snap-shot was comfortably held by O’Hare before
Patterson’s shot was parried by Matthews on 54 minutes.
O’Hare was having a busy afternoon, a minute later he was across his goal to save
a shot from Whites’ skipper Peter McCann. Back in December, Neal Gawley’s penalty
miss saw the Whites bow out of the Co-Operative Insurance Cup after extra time; today
Gawley had a field day and he capped a super performance with a goal on 58 minutes.
He fired home from the edge of the box and his acrobatic celebrations said it all.
On 67 minutes John Curran headed home a corner on his debut to make it 3-1 and the
game was over. Despite the odd attack, Coleraine didn’t look likely to make the breakthrough
they needed, whilst the Whites had ample opportunity to have increased the winning
margin.
It was a great win, but equally, the side are still bottom of the table and speaking
afterwards to LDnetweb, manager Tommy Wright said; “Anyone watching wouldn’t have
been surprised that we got the victory, it was totally deserved. At times we outplayed
what is one of the best teams in the country and they have proved that this year.
The way we nullified their attack was a credit to us and that gave us the platform
to play from. We know that we have players on the team who can play and who are comfortable
with the ball, we had loads of possession and created loads of chances and Davy O’Hare
made two magnificent saves in the first half from Gawly and Muir. We are delighted
with the result but we are not getting carried away.
We go to Institute [next Saturday] and we can make the gap back to six which would
be another step towards where we want to be and hopefully we can apply pressure to
them. At the moment the pressure has all been on us it hasn’t been on them and we
need to turn the screw and tighten it on them to make them feel how we have felt
in the past month.”
Team line-ups to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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13 March 2010 - Match 23 - Institute 2 Lisburn Distillery 3
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and David Hunter
Match Report from David Hunter
The season continues for Lisburn Distillery after this battling victory at the Riverside
Stadium, Drumahoe.
This really was a make or break game for Tommy Wright’s side – a win would reduce
the gap at the bottom to six, whilst defeat would have seen Stute go twelve points
clear and probably out of reach – but in only the third minute they found themselves
a goal down after Kevin Ramsey fired home from twenty yards out.
But to their credit, the Whites continued to battle hard. Neal Gawley’s free-kick
fizzed over Gavin Cullen’s cross-bar before skipper Peter McCann forced Cullen into
a smashing save at his near post.
Despite being one down at the break the Whites and their supporters felt that they
were never out of the game and they put in a great second half-performance, backed
vociferously by a good travelling away support, to secure a vital win.
On 51 minutes Gawley levelled things with his second strike in successive matches
when he fired in a snap-shot through a ruck of players. The ball beat Cullen and
rebounded off the post, against the keeper and in; tough on Stute but a rare bit
of luck for the Whites.
At this stage though there was only one team in it, John Gregg’s side was on the
back-foot, looking jittery and clearing at every opportunity but on 54 minutes Gary
Browne crossed from the left, a scramble ensued and Glenn Ferguson saw his shot turned
on to the post by Cullen. Ferguson though didn’t give up and he gave chase to return
the ball from the bye-line and Gary Thompson netted the cross from six yards out.
The Whites continued to press before Stute were awarded a penalty after Ferguson
charged down a shot in the box. Despite his protests, and keeper Phil Matthews getting
a hand to the ball, Ramsey netted his second of the game from the spot on 62 minutes.
Eight minutes later, McCann sent in a high cross, Cullen punched clear before the
ball was swept in and Thompson fired home a left foot strike for his second goal
of the game and what would prove to be the match-winner.
Matthews then made a good save from a David Ogilby header before Browne couldn’t
connect with Gawley’s cross which would have made it four for the Whites. It was
tense stuff though near the end – Ramsey lobbed over after breaking clear on 81 minutes,
before a superb goal-line clearance from Pat McShane denied Ramsey two minutes later.
With minutes to go Cullen was dismissed for handling outside his box and when the
final whistle went the reaction on the away bench said it all.
Well done to the travelling support who made themselves heard in the ground and on
the radio – they knew the Whites wouldn’t let them down and they didn’t, coming back
to deservedly keep their season alive.
Afterwards, Whites’ boss Tommy Wright said; “Not many teams come up here and score
three goals so I was really pleased with the second-half performance. The result
was what we needed and has put us back in the frame; that’s all it has done. But
I am delighted - that’s two away wins, six points and six goals.”
Team line-ups to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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16 March 2010 - Match 28 - Portadown 1 Lisburn Distillery 3
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and David Hunter
Match Report from David Hunter
Another superb away win, saw Lisburn Distillery close the gap at the bottom to three
points, thanks to two goals from Glenn Ferguson and one from Gary Browne. Things
are nice and threesy for Tommy Wright’s side at the moment – three away wins and
three goals on each occasion and nine points from those games certainly brought a
smile to manager Wright’s face.
On 15 minutes Phil Matthews was forced to tip Kevin Braniff’s free-kick over the
bar. Two minutes later Gary Thompson broke down the right, he laid the ball into
Neal Gawley who was hustled out and skipper Peter McCann, following up, saw his shot
blocked by defender David McCullough.
Paul Muir put in a timely tackle on Neil Teggart at the opposite end before Thompson
fired wide and then had a ground shot comfortably saved by David Miskelly.
Three minutes before the break Browne got the breakthrough; Thompson broke forward
again, slipped the ball inside to Browne and the striker picked his spot in the corner;
keeper Miskelly could only get a hand on the ball.
Portadown upped the tempo after the break but the Whites back-line looked solid before
Portadown conjured up a goal when little danger appeared on the cards. A high ball
was headed in by Kevin Braniff and Matthews was unable to punch clear as sub Richard
Leckey headed home.
On 75 minutes Braniff smashed a fierce drive over the Whites cross-bar before the
Whites took the lead again 13 minutes from time. Portadown lost possession, McCann
pushed the ball wide to sub Gareth Corey and he slotted it inside to Ferguson who
fired low past Miskelly.
The away support went ballistic as another vital victory loomed on the horizon and
they were right. With four minutes to go, Corey drilled the ball across the goal-mouth,
Portadown left back Keith O’Hara wasn’t aware of Ferguson’s presence and let the
ball run across him and it was a case of right man in the right place as Ferguson
sent the ball into the roof of the net.
Game over, an all-round performance from everyone on the park and at the final whistle,
to a man and woman the away support stood up and roared “We are staying up, we are
staying up” – it may be Cheltenham Festival week but the odds on the Whites must
surely be shortening on the back of three super performances and results.
Team line-ups to follow
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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20 March 2010 - Match 33 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Crusaders 2
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and Edward White
Match Report from Edward White
The recent resurgence of form for Lisburn Distillery continued with a fine fight
back from two goals down to secure a draw against high flyers Crusaders.
With three consecutive wins from their three previous games the Whites went into
the game determined to keep their recent revival alive and they started the game
in bright form and indeed created the first opening when Neal Gawley’s pace enabled
him to beat the Crusaders offside trap and shoot goalward but his effort went agonisingly
wide of the post. It was Gawley again in the thick of things on 18 minutes as he
blocked Crusaders keeper Keenan’s attempted clearance and he then drove the ball
across the Crusaders goalmouth but despite his best effort, Glenn Ferguson, couldn’t
get a touch to turn the ball into the open net.
Eight minutes later however disaster struck for the Whites as a Ross Arthurs effort
struck the upright before bouncing out kindly onto the foot of Jordan Owens who was
left with a simple tap in to give the visitors the lead. The recent signs of revival
were wilting a little at that stage and thing were to go from bad to worse as the
visitors made it 2-0 on 35 minutes. Whites’ defender Paul Muir was dispossessed out
wide by Ryan McCann and Owens’ cross was knocked into the penalty area to Arthurs
whose shot squirmed under Phil Matthews and into the goal.
Things were looking bleak at that time for the Whites but hope was soon to be revived
on 42 minutes as good work from Kilmartin found Ferguson unmarked in the Crusaders
six yard area, his headed goal bound effort was cleared off the line but it fell
but into the striker’s path and his second headed effort was to cross the line to
reduce the deficit. The timing of the goal was perfect as it sent the Whites into
the break with their heads lifted and this was clear as they returned for the second
half and proceeded to have a real go at Crusaders.
Indeed the second half was only one minute old when the Whites thought they had levelled.
Gary Browne picked the ball up out wide and his cross come shot cannoned off the
underside of the Crusaders cross bar and down onto the goal line; the Whites appealed
for the goal but referee Ross Dunlop was having none of it and allowed play to continue
much to Crusaders relief.
Gawley went close again on 48 minutes as his effort went narrowly wide but then on
65 minutes the home efforts were to be rewarded, Paul Muir rising to head home powerfully
from a corner to tie the game and in doing so scoring his first goal since his rejoining
the club in January.
The Whites continued to press and thought they had taken the lead on 73 minutes as
Gary Thompson’s effort went narrowly wide but the game remained tied and indeed was
to finish that way although Crusaders did have a chance to steal the points late
in the game as Owens skied over when well placed.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, Callaghan, Curran, Muir, McShane, McCann, G.Thompson,
Kilmartin, Browne, Gawley (Corey 80), Ferguson. Subs: McCluskey, Friel, Cooling,
Melaugh.
Crusaders – Keenan, McKeown, Magowan, Gibson, McBride, McMaster (Faulkner 70), Collins
(Caddell 61), McCann, Donnelly, Arthurs (Rainey 37), Owens. Subs: Bell, Murphy.
Referee – Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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23 March 2010 - Match 26 - Lisburn Distillery 3 Newry City 0
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and Edward White
Match Report from Edward White
Knowing that a win could take them off of the foot of the table for the first time
this season, Lisburn Distillery wasted no time in stamping their authority on this
game against fellow strugglers Newry City. Indeed it only took five minutes for a
lead to be opened as Gary Thompson picked the ball up out wide before sending a neat
pass into the path of Glenn Ferguson and the ace marksman took full advantage to
fire the home side ahead.
The Whites could then easily have doubled their advantage only two minutes later
as Neal Gawley’s pace saw him beat the Newry offside trap but his finishing let him
down as his effort was saved by City’s keeper Andy Coleman. Newry then had a couple
of decent efforts which forced Phil Matthews into a couple of good saves and then
home defender John Curran was fortunate as his miscued clearance went narrowly past
the home post.
The Whites led then at half time but it was clear that they were showing signs of
some nervousness however these were soon to be put to one side as a second goal came
along shortly after the half time break. Gary Browne picked the ball up wide, passed
across to Neil Gawley, his cross found Peter McCann and from a delightful back pass
he was able to set Thompson free in space and the midfielder made no mistake to make
it two nil for the hosts on 50 minutes.
Newry pressed hard to get back into the game but missed two glorious one on ones
which Matthews had to save well in order to keep the two goal lead intact. The Whites
then had a good chance to make it three-nil on 72 minutes as an Andy Kilmartin corner
was spilled by the Newry goalkeeper but no-one was able to react quick enough to
turn the ball over the line. Gawley then headed over when well placed on 75 minutes
and then substitute Austin Friel almost scored on 86 minutes with his 35 yard effort
been turned aside by Newry keeper Coleman who was racing back into his goal following
his having to rush out to block a Gavin Melaugh effort.
Goal number three however did eventually come and it was the substitute Friel who
scored it on 87 minutes. Ferguson had picked the ball up out wide, played a good
pass into Friel and, after completely mis-hitting his first effort; the diminutive
striker regained his composure to tuck the ball comfortably into the Newry goal.
With results elsewhere favouring the home side the three points gained from this
one lifted the home team off the bottom spot in the table and for the first time
in a long time the daylight of league survival was visible.
Lisburn Distillery: Matthews, Callaghan, Curran, Muir, McShane, McCann, G.Thompson
(Melaugh 58), Kilmartin, Browne (Cooling 70), Gawley (Friel 81), Ferguson . Subs:
McCluskey Corey.
Newry City: Coleman, O'Connor, Munster, McDonnell, Black, King (Keegan 86), Henderson
(Boyd 80), Feeney (Graham 59), Hazley, Garrett, Rowe. Subs: Keenan, Devlin.
Referee: Alan Black (Antrim)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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03 April 2010 - Match 28 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Ballymena United 2
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and Edward White
Match Report from Edward White
Another valuable point in their quest to avoid relegation for the Whites from this
encounter, and yet they will doubtless look back with disappointment having led twice
and on both occasions having failed to defend their lead.
The Whites almost took an early lead on 10 minutes when Gary Browne picked the ball
up out wide and passed it to skipper Peter McCann who sent Gary Thompson in the clear
but, with only the Ballymena keeper to beat, the hard working midfielder fails to
convert the chance. However disappointment from missing that chance was quickly forgotten
as United failed to completely clear their lines from that very next attack young
Mark Cooling was on hand to hit the ball home to give the hosts the lead.
Ballymena United battled hard to get back into the game and on 25 minutes they levelled
the match as the Whites’ defence failed to clear the ball from an Aidan Watson volley
and up popped former Whiteman Gary Muir to place a well struck shot into the corner
of the net from 12 yards out. After this United pressed hard but it was Lisburn Distillery
who regained the lead on 41 minutes: Once again Browne was in the heart of things,
his neat pass setting skipper McCann clear and as the United keeper Dwayne Nelson
came out to block, the Whites skipper calmly placed the ball over him and into the
net.
Two-one then to the hosts at half time but United refused to lie down again in the
second half, levelling the game for a second time on 56 minutes. Kelbie had been
clean through for a one on one with Whites ‘keeper Phil Matthews, the keeper stopped
well but then from the resultant corner the home defence failed to react and Kelbie
was on hand to stab home from 6 yards out.
Chances after this were limited; McCann hit an effort that was easily saved by Nelson
and then an effort from substitute Austin Friel hit the outside of the post before
going wide for a goal kick. The Whites were pushing for a winner at that point and
although chances were limited they did have one other gilt edged chance when a Pat
McShane cross got right through the United defence but young Gareth Corey was unable
to convert the chance. United then almost stole it at the death as Muir hit a well
struck shot but Matthews was alert and parried the effort.
Another point then for the Whites and that point could yet prove to be invaluable
as the season draws to a close.
Lisburn Distillery: Matthews, Callaghan, Curran, P.Muir, McShane, McCann, G.Thompson,
Kilmartin, Cooling (Corey 76), Browne, Gawley (Friel 66). Subs not used: McCluskey,
Melaugh, Patton.
Ballymena United: Nelson, Ramsey, Alb Watson, Stewart, Colligan, G.Muir, Aid Watson,
Taggart,( Anderson 27) Surgeonor (Cushley46), Smith, Kelbie (McNeill, 86). Subs not
used: Nelson, Haveron.
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter - (reproduced with permission and thanks -
not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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10 April 2010 - Match 35 - Lisburn Distillery 2 Institute 1
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and Edward White
Match Report from Edward White
If ever a game deserved to be called a “six pointer” then this surely would fit the
bill. The League’s bottom two sides meeting head to head with only a handful of games
remaining after this particular fixture to stave off last place in the table.
Defeat for either side would certainly ramp up the pressure on the losing team and
thankfully on the day it was the Whites who came out on top although not until after
what proved to be a very nervy encounter indeed.
The Whites knew they had to get going quickly in this game and that is exactly what
they did when they took a 12th minute lead thanks to the evergreen Glenn Ferguson.
Andy Kilmartin had picked the ball up out wide following a throw in and from his
pinpoint cross there was no way the master finisher was ever going to fail to finish
with a trademark header from ten yards out.
Kilmartin himself struck a long range effort over the bar on 18 minutes and then
Neal Gawley was unable to get any power into a header on 26 minutes which was easily
saved by the visiting goalkeeper. The Whites were easily the better side at this
point but then they almost fell to sucker-punch as Institute almost levelled from
a corner with only a goal line clearance by that man Kilmartin again saving the day
from the David Ogilby effort.
And then such is the face of football sometimes, the Whites made it two-nil directly
from that very goal line clearance. The ball was cleared quickly up the pitch; Gawley
beat the offside trap and as Cullen came out to close him down the pacey striker
calmly slotted the ball into the back of the Institute net. What a vital minute of
play that could well prove to be come the end of the season.
And that really should have been that however rather than sailing through the rest
of the game in comfort the Whites appeared to hit what can be best be called a nervous
spell. Institute gained a corner on 58 minutes and from it the Whites defence went
static allowing Paddy McLaughlin to convert a simple chance and from there on in
it was all hands the pump as the Whites fought tooth and nail to protect their slender
lead.
That said although the visitors had large amounts of possession chances were limited
indeed and it was Lisburn Distillery who could have scored again after when Kilmartin
should have done better on 83 minutes, hitting the side netting when well placed
to score. It was still oh so nervous in the dying moments and Institute had a decent
chance on 87 minutes but the effort was ballooned over the bar. Substitute Gavin
Melaugh then missed a great chance for the home side deep into injury time but as
it was there were to be no more goals in the match and the Whites ran out 2-1 winners
gaining three massive points into the bargain.
Lisburn Distillery – Matthews, Callaghan, Curran, Muir, McShane, McCann, G.Thompson
(Melaugh 68), Kilmartin, Browne, Gawley (Corey 68), Ferguson. Subs: S. Thompson,
Cooling, Patton.
Institute – Cullen, Crown, McLaughlin, Ogilby, Semple (Lowry 65), Boyle, Shields
(Seydak 60), Friars, Divin, McCready. Subs: Blackburn, Ryan, McFadden.
Referee: Mark
Courtney (Dungannon).
 
Match Images - Copyright David Hunter and Jonathan Irwin - (reproduced with permission
and thanks - not to be downloaded, copied or used without consent)
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17 April 2010 - Match 36 - Glenavon 1 Lisburn Distillery 3
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Match report (reproduced with permission and thanks) Copyright Lisburn Distillery.net
and Edward White
Match Report from Edward White
A high level performance, that saw the Whites completely outplay a subdued Glenavon
team, yielded three more vital points in the Whites’ quest to avoid relegation and
this, coupled with Institute’s defeat at Ballymena, means that Lisburn Distillery
now need only two more points from their remaining three matches to secure their
premier league status.
The “Whites” had gone into the game all guns blazing and were unlucky not to take
an early lead when a first minute Glenn Ferguson effort narrowly went over the Glenavon
crossbar. One minute later and another decent chance, this time from Neal Gawley
whose effort went narrowly wide, then on four minutes a Paul Muir free kick also
went over the bar.
The Whites were getting closer and closer to opening the score and indeed thought
they had done so on 10 minutes when Gawley was put in by Peter McCann only to see
his well struck effort hit the base of the post. Surely it was only a matter of time
before the breakthrough was made and indeed that proved to be the case when from
a corner on 11 minutes young Gary Thompson headed home a powerful header giving Glenavon
keeper Plummer no chance.
The Whites continued to control the game after this but it wasn’t until the 29th
minute that a second goal was to come their way when an exquisite through ball from
Ferguson found his fellow striker Gawley run clear of the Glenavon defence before
placing the ball wide of Plummer and into the net.
The second goal seemed to wake the hosts up a little and on 35 minutes Phil Matthews
in the Lisburn Distillery goal had to be alert to turn over a goal bound effort from
Jay Magee and then lady luck smiled on the Whites as another effort from Magee hit
the post before bouncing back into Matthews’ hands.
Glenavon came out for the second half a lot more fired up and this was reflected
when they pulled a goal back on 53 minutes when Ryan Harpur scored following good
work from Eamon Murray and ex-Whiteman Rory Hamill.
Lisburn Distillery however were not be outdone and continued to press the game and
this positive attitude was to be rewarded on 74 minutes when substitute Austin Friel
beat the offside trap following a great through ball from skipper McCann. Friel’s
initial effort was saved by Plummer but the ball bounced back out kindly to the diminutive
striker and he made no mistake from the second chance.
A massive three points then for Lisburn Distillery and the once unlikely “Great Escape”
is now within touching distance.
Lisburn Distillery line-up: Matthews, McShane, Callaghan, Curran, Muir, G.Thompson,
Browne, Kilmartin, McCann, Gawley, Ferguson
Subs: Friel (for Gawley), Patton (for Browne), Melaugh (for McCann), Cooling, Thompson
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