Penalty shoot-out joy

Lamont (69);

Institute...(0) 1

Kelly (46)

(Institute won 4-3 on penalties)

TEENAGER Aaron McEneff was Institute’s penalty hero, as they defeated Tobermore United 4-3 on penalties, in the Craig Memorial Cup Final.

The 16-year-old made no mistake with ’Stute’s fifth and final spot-kick, but in truth this cup final should have been done and dusted in the 90 minutes, as the visitors dominated throughout and missed a host of clear cut chances.

’Stute took the lead through Mark Kelly just after the half-time break, before Neil Lamont levelled things with United’s one and only shot throughout the 90 minutes.

United keeper Sammy Foster kept his side in the final as he made a host of top drawer saves, particularly in the second half and extra-time

On 12 minutes Dean Carlyle created himself some space on the edge of the box, but his drive, which clipped Timmy McComb on the way through, was pushed around his left hand post by Foster.

’Stute continued to dominate things and they were inches away from taking the lead five minutes later when Sean Roddy’s 25 yard free-kick, which had Foster scrambling, flashed just wide.

Just after the half hour mark another stinging long range drive from Carlyle, which again caused problems for Foster, sailed just over the bar.

A teasing in-swinging corner from Dean Jarvis on 38 minutes this time found an unmarked Paddy McLaughlin, but the skipper’s glancing header from six yards failed to trouble Foster and went well wide.

The Waterside men deservedly finally broke the deadlock 40 seconds into the second half.

A teasing run and centre by the impressive Carlyle found an unmarked Mark Kelly and the big striker gleefully side footed home from eight yards.

Soon after Institute had another super chance to increase their lead when Jarvis’ free-kick was flicked on by Parkhouse to the back post, but Ryan Browne misplaced his header and the United defence cleared their lines.

The Waterside men thought they had doubled their lead on 58 minutes when Jarvis’ left wing centre was turned home by an alert Kelly, but the striker’s celebrations were cut short by the referee’s assistant’s flag and the goal was disallowed.

United incredibly levelled things with their first shot on goal on 69 minutes.

A long ball out by Foster drew Corey Wilson from his goal and an alert Neil Lamont raced away from McLaughlin, before superbly lifting the ball over the out-rushing keeper.

Institute should have had a penalty on 77 minutes when McComb instinctively handled the ball inside the box, but referee Paul Doherty failed to see the offensive and didn’t award the penalty, much to the frustration of the visiting supporters.

On 99 minutes some silky skill by Carlyle saw him get away from his marker, but his long range drive was pushed away by a full stretched Foster.

On three separate occasions in the closing stages Foster ensured the game went to penalties when he denied Parkhouse twice and Kelly.

In the shoot-out United’s Stuart Millar saw his effort hit the post, before Parkhouse gave Institute the early advantage, then Danny Gardner made no mistake for the home side, unfortunately for the visitors Jarvis saw his left footed strike saved by Foster, before David McClements, Sean Roddy, Kris Magill and Ryan Browne all made no mistake to level the score at 3-3 with both sides having one penalty each remaining.

Fortunately for the Drumahoe side centre-back John Neill saw his effort from 12 yards sail well over the bar and the coolest man on the pitch was young McEneff, who strolled forward and calmly placed the ball into Foster’s bottom right hand corner.

Tobermore United: Foster; Campbell, Millar, McComb, Whiteside; Neill, McClements, Gardner, Lamont, Batista, Magill. Subs: Stewart & Hassan for Campbell & Batista (66); Glasgow & McKenna (not used).

Institute: Wilson, Roddy, McLaughlin, Browne, Jarvis; Crown, McEneff, McKeever, Carlyle; Kelly, Parkhouse. Subs: Hegarty for Carlyle (100); Walsh, Taylor, Friars & Glackin (not used).

Referee: Mr Paul Doherty (Derry).

Cautioned: McClements (49); Gardner (50); Whiteside (61); McComb (83); Browne (101).