Teggart winner books United sixth round spot
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Ballymena’s Gary McCutcheon, who opened the scoring against Lisburn Distillery, is congratulated by team mates Allan Jenkins, Alan Teggart and Gavin Taggart.
Lisburn Distillery 1 Ballymena United 2
Alan Teggart's second half winner booked Ballymena United a sixth round Cup tie against Derriaghy CC FC on February 11 - and kept the Sky Blues' season alive.
Glenn Ferguson knew facing Lisburn Distillery, where he was assistant boss until a few weeks ago, would be a tricky task, so naturally he is delighted United sent them crashing.
“I was happy with our performance," the United manager told Guardian Sport. "The boys worked hard, and worked for each other. Some of the confidence is coming back."
United switched 'keepers for the Cup tie, the experienced Dwayne Nelson coming in for young Wayne Drummond.
And Nelson got an early confidence boost when he pulled off a fine save to deny striker Mark Cooling a fourth minute opener.
United made a brilliant start, striker Gary McCutcheon firing them in front in the 10th minute - his 24th goal of the season.
Captain Allan Jenkins put in a hefty challenge to rob David McCullough, before slipping the ball through for Jordan Baker.
The United man knocked the ball on for McCutcheon who flicked it round Philip Simpson and collected it enroute to goal.
The little Scot had one more piece of magic before shooting in off the base of the post, pretending to go one way, but going the opposite direction to leave a defender in a daze.
Then Jenkins powered a header well over and at the other end Nelson saved from an Andy Hall free kick.
‘Keeper Nelson, delighted to be back in the first team, made another good save, dealing well with a McCullough volley which took a wicked bounce in front of him.
Ten minutes before half time James Costello drilled a shot come cross in front of goal which McCullough cleared as McCutcheon waited to pounce.
Then Costollo tried his luck again, this time 'keeper Billy Brennan pushed the effort past for a corner.
Lisburn Distillery got the start they wanted early in the second half, ace marksman Gary Liggett shooting in his 17th goal of the season.
Just eight minutes after the restart United failed to clear from an Andy Hall free-kick and when the ball broke Thompson sliced a shot which fell nicely for Liggett, who did not need a second invitation.
United's response was instant and within a minute they were back in front, 24-year-old Teggart shooting high into the net after good work from Costello on the right.
Costello cut his way down the wing and saw his parting shot snuffed out by a defender; when it broke Teggart was in the right placed to smash home.
Ballymena should have added a third in the 67th minute, the usually lethal McCutcheon taking a cross from Tony Kane but scuffing his shot from close range for a relieved Brennan to gather instead of pick out of the back of the net
Centre half Davy Munster did a good clean up job after Nelson spilled a free-kick from sub David Cushley.
In injury time Liggett missed a chance to earn the Whites a replay, slicing the ball wide of the target when well positioned.
Referee Mr. Brian Turkington booked a number of players - Hall and Cushley for the Whites and Stewart for United.
Lisburn Distillery - Brennan , Callaghan, Traynor, Hunter, Simpson, Hall (Hughes, 88th), Gawley (Cushley, 60th), Thompson, Cooling (Larmour, 80th), Liggett, McCullough.
Subs not used - Forsythe, McShane.
Ballymena United - Nelson, Kane, Black, Stewart, Taggart, McCutcheon, Jenkins, Teggart, Baker, Munster, Costello (Lowry, 88th).
Subs not used - Carson, Downey, Woods, Taylor.
Referee - Mr. Brian Turkington (Belfast).
Subscribe to read full newspaper »
Send to a friend
Please complete the following form to inform a friend about this page.
