Right place, right time for hero Curtis
Lisburn Distillery's Curtis Allen was in the right place at the right time on Saturday to give his side a valuable 1-0 win against Ballymena United at Ballyskeagh.
The striker once again showed his finishing prowess in the 74th minute as he scored the only goal of the game.
Allen, who also scored in the 2-0 defeat of Linfield the week before, is delighted with his current goal scoring exploits.
"I am playing well and when you get a few goals, you seem to be in the right place at the right time. It helps having Gary Browne and Darren Armour up front with me. It has helped loads. They are both great players. They flick it on and I put it in the net, or the other way round, it's happy days.
"As long as I keep scoring and the team keep winning I will be happy.
"When you are scoring goals you want to be doing everything. Taking free-kicks, corners and doing everything," he added.
Allen also revealed that manager Paul Kirk had wanted them to build on that 2-0 win against Linfield at Windsor Park.
"The gaffer said that the win last week against Linfield would mean nothing if we got beat against Ballymena, so today getting a win at all costs was what we needed and I am glad I got the goal to do that," said Allen.
Allen had nearly given his side the lead against United from a free-kick a minute before he hit the target.
"For the free-kick Ryan McCann said he fancied it, but I said no, no, no. I am confident at the minute. I just believe if I get a chance I will score. It was a great save from the keeper from the free-kick, but from the resulting corner I scored.
"I also had a chance before that when I was put clean through. I did everything right. Got a good first touch, got in there and maybe should have chipped it over him, but I tried to slide it past him, but he made a good save.They can't all go in," he added.
Allen, who has scored eight goals this season, had been across the water at Bournemouth and he admits he would like a return to full-time football.
"I would like to progress to the highest possible level I can. At the minute I am at Distillery and I just want to do my best for them, but if a chance came up in the future, of course I would be interested," he added.
In an interesting first half it was the visitors who had the first clear cut chance of the game.
Striker Kevin Kelbie, who is starting to look leaner and fresher than in recent weeks, ran free of the Whites defence in the 34th minute. The Scottish striker's shot ,however, was well saved by keeper Phillip Matthews.
The home side did carve out a chance for themselves just before the break. Allen's pass found Gary Muir, but his shot was well saved by the alert Alan Blayney.
After the break the Whites pushed hard for the opener, but Blayney was again excellent as he stopped Allen from close range. The keeper has had his critics in recent weeks, but he seems to have overcome that and is getting back to top form.
Ballymena did not lie down and Kelbie again tried his luck minutes later. His curling shot was again stopped by a fine save from Matthews in the home goal.
Allen, who had looked lively all afternoon then tried his luck from a free-kick. His curling shot looked destined for the top corner, before a flying Blayney pushed the ball round the post. A wonderful save from the Ballymena shot stopper.
Blayney’s luck was our moments later from the corner as a half cleared ball fell to Allen and the striker kept his composure to slide it home through a packed goalmouth to make it 1-0.
The visitors pushed for the equaliser, but they did not make the breakthrough and the Whites held on until the final whistle.
Distillery manager Paul Kirk was delighted after his side had racked up their second league win in two league outings.
“I am delighted we have done it again. Another three points and another clean sheet. I have been hammering on at my defenders about the goals we have been conceding, but I can’t argue about what they are giving me now.
“It looked as if someone was going to win it with one goal and that is the way it turned out. They are a good side, with good players and I think they are in a false position. It’s a good three points against them.”
Lisburn Distillery: Matthews, Hall, Buchanan, Magee, McShane, Cooling (B.Browne, 90 mins ), R.McCann, G.Muir (Kingsberry, 69 mins), Kilmartin, G. Browne (Armour, 65 mins) Allen. Subs not used: Hamilton and Shaw.
Ballymena United: Blayney, Aiden Watson, Colligan, Haveron, Albert Watson, Mullan (Picking, 76 mins), McDonnell, Melaugh, Teggart (Ward, 46 mins), Kelbie, King. Subs not used: Stewart, Cushley and O'Neill.
Referee: M. Courtney (Dungannon)
Man of the Match: Curtis Allen ( Distillery)
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Friday 25 May 2012
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