Frustrating day for Institute as they can't find a way past Dergview

Institute 0

Dergview 0

Institute were left frustrated as they couldn’t find a way past Dergview on a forgettable day at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Kevin Deery’s team dominated possession and territory throughout, but were unable to really test visiting goalkeeper Shane O’Gara, with their final ball and decision making in the final third letting them down again and again.

A dismal first half hour saw both teams struggle to create anything, but in the space of 60 eventful seconds beyond that ‘Stute had two chances to take the lead. The first chance came when Kirk McLaughlin evaded two challenges in the area and laid the ball off for the incoming Shane Boyle, but the defender’s effort deflected just wide of the post.

From the corner that followed, Tiarnan McKinney’s delivery was spot on for Shaun Leppard who glanced a header just wide, the defender holding his head in his hands knowing he should have done better.

‘Stute continued to push in the second half and they came so close again when another McKinney corner caused danger, finding Michael Harris, whose volley goalwards was deflected wide by his team mate McLaughlin.

Chances remained few and far between throughout, although Oisin Devlin could well have won the game in stoppage time, with a low drive from 20 yards which flew just narrowly wide of Shane O’Gara’s goal.

‘Stute end 2023 in second place in the NIFL Championship, sitting on 40 points, which eclipses the 38 points the club managed in the entirety of last season.

Teams

Institute: Gareth Muldoon, Ryan Morrow, Shaun Leppard, Evan Tweed, Kirk McLaughlin (Bradley Callaghan 80’), Dylan King, Tiarnan McKinney (Mark Mbuli 74’), Sean Carlin (Orrin McLaughlin 90’), Michael Harris, Oisin Devlin, Shane Boyle.

Dergview: Shane O’Gara, Garth Falconer, Keith Cowan, Corey McLaughlin, Niall Fielding, Niall McGinley, Jamie Browne, Sean McDonagh (Joshua Maxwell 80’), Gareth Harkin, Darragh McCloskey (Jack King 90’), Padraig Lynch.

Referee: Mark Milligan.