Relegation? You’re havin’ a laugh!
April 16, 2008
“Can we play you every week?” sums up how Institute were feeling after completing a league double over Dungannon Swifts on Saturday. Stute started the day in the unusual position of bottom of the Irish Premier League, after a dismal run in the league where a failure to score goals had meant that we had only won once (2-1 at Larne on the 5th of January) since our first victory over the Swifts, on Boxing Day. (Looking back, I see that these victories occasioned my last 2 posts – I clearly wouldn’t have much of an argument against any accusation that I only post when we’re winning!) However a 56th minute header from Ryan McCreadie, alongside defeats for Limavady and Armagh (the later against a Newry side who were reduced to 10 men in the 18th minute!) meant that come 4:45 or thereabouts we were third from the bottom.
As for the game itself, Stute tore into the home side for the first 20 minutes, but as usual without being able to score. John Gregg seemed to be undermining things by playing 4-5-1 in a must-win game, with Ryan McCreadie, fresh from one of the worst Stute misses of all time last week, the lone striker.
After Alan Ryan pulled off a brilliant save in the first half to deny a very good Dungannon chance, frustration was mounting, particularly as David Kee did some good work down the left before delaying and delaying his ball across the box until he was tackled for a corner. Ruari Boyle also had a free kick from a good position comfortably saved by Dwayne Nelson. [Video here - trying out the new Flickr video, can't embed it]
Then, on 56 minutes, with Kyle Moran ready to come on for the misfiring McCreadie, a great run and tremendous cross from Ryan Semple saw the ball reach the unmarked striker who headed it past the despairing dive of Nelson and into the net.
The goal postponed McCreadie’s departure for 5 minutes, but the inevitable happened and he was then replaced by Moran, but Stute couldn’t add to their slender lead. We survived a coupla of chances at the other end, in particular a shot from a good position following a partially-cleared cross that was blazed over the bar in the 90th minute.
But at long last the final whistle was blown, the other results were confirmed and it was time to savour a rare and vital win.
Moran has a lovely accent btw.
Ryan, Philson, OG, Seydak, Cutmore; Semple (McGarvey 84), Boyle, McClean (O’Loughlin 44), Lowry, Kee; McCreadie (Moran 59)
Not used: Divin, Ferry.
