Limavady United smash Tobermore to go four points clear at the top of the NIFL Premier Intermediate league

Limavady United 5

Limavady United put their recent wobbles behind them on Tuesday night, with a convincing victory over their neighbours, and with results elsewhere going in their favour, they now go into their last three games with a four point lead.

This was a totally different United from the team which stumbled at the weekend, even though it was very much a makeshift squad through injury and suspension. From the start, they were decisive and determined, against opponents who always raise their game against their neighbours.

The home side went at their business from the first whistle, and in the sixth minute McCready and Hume combined to set up Owens, but his shot was blocked. Hume himself had a chance two minutes later, but his effort was weak. However, nerves were settled in the 22nd minute, when Carlin opened the scoring. A corner was only half cleared, and hoisted back into the box, where the captain scored with a glancing header into the corner.

However the champions did not take their foot off the gas, and Owens had a trademark free kick which McGraw was at full stretch to parry. But Limavady they were indebted to their keeper on the half hour, when Gary Keane surely thought he had scored as he chipped from the edge of the box as Kelly was racing back into position, and somehow he leapt and twisted to claw the ball over the bar.

The remaining fifteen minutes was a tale of constant pressure from the home side with first Hume and then McCready going close. McCready in particular missed a great chance on 37 minutes, blazing wide with the goal at his mercy after Owens played him in. In the last minute of the half, McCready curled the ball over the bar from just outside the box.

The second half was dominated by Limavady, starting with Lee Harkin's deflected goal on 51 minutes, shooting in from the edge of the box as the home side broke in numbers. Ten minutes later Robbie Hume seemed to be offside when he collected the ball out on the right, but he wriggled free from his marker and from then on there was an inevitability to his side footing past McGraw.

The visitors had a glimmer of hope on 68 minutes when Paul Keane thumped the ball off the base of the post. Both Hume and McCready were hunting for goals, and Owens put in a cross which McGraw spilled straight to McCready who could not react to control the ricochet on 73 minutes, and six minutes later Hume blazed over. McCloskey then hit the post in the 81st minute, before being replaced by Jimmy Crockett two minutes later.

Almost immediately the veteran was in the thick of the action, but he could not get a shot on target, instead working the ball back to Thompson who struck the post. However the goalscoring was far from over, with three in the last five minutes. First United made it 4-0, as they broke in numbers and Connor Harkin had the simple task of tapping home from close range. Tobermore got a consolation as a shot was deflected by O'Kane past Kelly. Any disappointment at losing the clean sheet was swiftly forgotten as Hume restored the margin of victory almost straight from the kick off.

This was a clear response to the doubters who felt that the momentum had gone to Newry., as United produced a performance of power and skill, although they were noticeably more direct than earlier in the season. With three top quality defenders out, great credit must be given to those who have stepped into the back four, particularly Colin Murray and Marcus O'Kane who in recent weeks have played out of their preferred position. Doubtless there are still twists and turns in the title race, but it is still the Roesiders to lose.

Limavady United: Ray Kelly, Colin Murray, Declan McKeever, Marcus O'Kane, Hugh Carlin (c.), Gary McFadden (Jordan Thompson 76), Paul Owens, Lee Harkin (Connor Harkin 65), Connor McCloskey (Jimmy Crockett 83), Robbie Hume, Joe McCready. Substitutes not used: David Miller, Sean McCarron. Cautioned: McFadden (47).

Tobermore United: Matt McGraw, Marc Harkness (Conal Darragh 17), Ryan Winston, Shannon Crooks (Eoin Gillan 85), Nicky Hudson, Dean Stewart, Tiernan Flanagan, Glenn Law, Paul Keane (c.), Gary Keane, Stephen Lamont. Substitutes not used: Cautioned: Darragh (41), Gillan (83). Referee: Gareth Stewart (Castledawson ).

Roesider man of the match: Marcus O'Kane.