INSTITUTE: Second half double sees off Welders
Kevin Deery’s side in truth should have won by a bigger margin, but second half goals from Shane McGinty and Sean Roddy secured the points.
The win over the title chasing Belfast men was always on the cards right from the off, as Stute’s young players super football continued and their recent good performances are now starting to deservedly turn into victories.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdStute had a good early chance when McGinty’s seventh minute cross from the right, found midfielder Niall Grace at the back post, his header back across goal found Gareth Brown, but the striker headed over from close range.
The woodwork came to the visitors’ rescue on 18 minutes when in bizarre fashion; the ball was bouncing around in the six yards box, right-back Darren Nixon saw his header fly over his goalkeeper Michael Dougherty, but his blushes were saved, as the ball came back off the crossbar before William Armstrong cleared.
A super pass on 24 minutes by Michael McCrudden found an unmarked Mark Scoltock inside the box, but the big centre back blasted over from 12 yards.
Institute deservedly took the lead on 53 minutes after some silky skills by Scoltock created the chance.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe defender came out from the back, beat a few players before slotting the ball through to Jamie McIntyre, who’s cross on the slide found McGinty and from 12 yards he fired home his fourth goal in two games, despite Welders keeper Dougherty’s best attempt.
Just after the hour mark McCrudden went close to marking his debut with a goal but his close range strike was kept out by Dougherty.
On 72 minutes a fantastic flowing move by the home side ended nearly resulted in the goal of the season.
McCrudden’s pass found McIntyre, but his volley from the right hand side of the box, was superb tipped onto the bar by Dougherty.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Waterside men deservedly scored a second on 84 minutes in somewhat fortunate circumstances when Roddy’s free-kick on the left hand edge of the box took a deflection off the Welders wall, which caught out Dougherty, before bouncing into the net.
Two minutes from time Gary Spence should have pulled one back for the visitors, but his close range header was straight at Stute keeper Martin Gallagher.
Institute: Gallagher, Roddy, O’Donnell, Scoltock, Morrow; Grace, McGinty, A Harkin (C Harkin 90); McCrudden (Dunne 87), Brown, McIntyre. Harland & Wolff Welders: Dougherty, Nixon, Armstrong, Harris (Devine 70), McMurray, Spence, Deans, Davidson, Devine (Middleton 64), Boylan, Rainey.
Referee: Mr Declan Hassan (Ballymoney).