Confidence boosting win for Institute ahead of play-off

Institute bagged the Intermediate Cup at Windsor Park, thanks to late goals from Gareth Brown and Shane McGinty.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd May 2016, 22:47 BST
Updated 3rd May 2016, 00:09 BST
Institute celebrate winning Intermediate CupInstitute celebrate winning Intermediate Cup
Institute celebrate winning Intermediate Cup

The Drumahoe side defeated Championship One winners Ards 3-1 at the National Stadium, with Brown hitting a brace before McGinty scored a late penalty.

The result ended Niall Currie’s dream of completing a league and cup double.

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Stute manager Kevin Deery will hope that the cup success will prove the perfect preparation for Friday night’s Promotion/Relegation Play-Off with Ballinamallard United, at the Riverside.

Stute are aiming to join Ards in the Premiership by winning the two-legged decider.

Mallards’ boss Whitey Anderson was watching his opponents from the stands.

Institute grabbed the lead in the 20th minute after a cross from Jamie Dunne was turned home by striker Brown.

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Ards levelled ten minutes later after a short-corner routine between Craig McMillen and James Cully, was finished by Jordan Baker, who nodded home at the near post.

Ards had a number of chances to take the lead at the end of the first half, with Craig McMillen’s set-piece giving Institute problems.

It was a different story in the second half, with Institute dominating possession.

They got their reward when they grabbed the lead with 17 minutes left to play after some horrible defending by Ards.

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The Red & Blues failed to clear the ball, allowing Brown to smash home his second goal from the corner of the penalty area.

It was 3-1 in the 82 minute, after John Convery conceded a penalty kick. Shane McGinty made no mistake from the spot, securing the trophy the Londonderry club.

A tired Ards side, who were playing their third game in five days, struggled to cope with Institute’s movement, who deserved their Intermediate Cup success.

Earlier in the day at Windsor Park, Ballymena Saturday Morning League Club Harryville Homers won their third Junior Cup in as many years, with a 3-1 win over Rosemount Rec.

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Paul McNeill gave the Homers the lead in the second minute before Rosemount’s Player/Manager Mark Miller equalised mid-way through the first half.

With game set for extra-time, Harryville captain Gary Bonnes turned the ball into the net in the 84th minute. Bonnes completed the scoring with a tidy finish in the 88th minute.

The 3-1 win handed Harryville the Junior Shield and Junior Cup double.

ARDS: McAuley; Hall, Cully, Convery, Buckley; McCullough, Browne (68 Dorrian), Arthurs; Baker (78 Baker), Boyd, McMillen (60 McAllister)

Subs Not Used: Gage, Lambe

INSTITUTE: Gallagher; O’Donnell, Harkin, Scoltock, McDermott; Dunne (86 Moorehead), Harkin, Mills (HT Morrow), McGinty, McIntrye (90 McLaughlin); Brown

Subs Not Used: Jarvis, Lynch

Ref: Stephen Taylor

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