Armagh City 3 Lisburn Distillery 1
Armagh City completed a Belfast Telegraph Championship One double over Lisburn Distillery at Holm Park on Saturday.
Both sides fought for early dominance and scoring chances were at a premium as two strong defences dominated.
It was going to take something special to break the deadlock and this came after 20 minutes when City’s Northern Ireland youth international Andrew Hoey let fly from 25 yards and his shot flew past Ryan Bride into the top corner of the net.
Armagh now began to take control and almost increased their lead on the half-hour when a low shot from Marty Havern was brilliantly turned around an upright by the alert Bride.
Lisburn’s best effortof the half came five minutes before the break when a long-range effort from Bradley Morton brought out the best in City stopper Sean Morgan.
Half-time: Armgh City 1 Lisburn Distillery 0.
The home team had another superb chance on 52 minutes when a low goalbound header from Havern was somehow scooped off the goal-line by inrushing collegue Hoey at the back-post.
And this miss was to prove costly as the visitors immediately launched a counter-attack which led to midfielder Kevin O’Connor scoring with a low shot from 10-yards out.
This reverse only served to inspire City who almost took the lead again moments later but another classy save by Bride denied leading scorer Stephen Murray.
Armagh kept up the pressure and captain Liam Cullen and Murray had further efforts well saved by the impressive Bride.
But there was nothing the Lisbirn stopper could do to deny the home side on 81 minutes when Havern drove high into the net from 10-yards after an inch-perfect cross from the right.
And, on the stroke of full-time, City secured the points when Andy Moore was left free in the box to head home an Ultan Lennon free-kick.
