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Disappointing defeat for Larne Tech OB

Wednesday, 6 January 2010

LARNE TECH OB. .1
NORTEL.. 4

LARNE Tech Old Boys' ground at Antiville can be somewhat 'wintry' even on a good day, yet Dennis Harvey Park was able to stage one of what was only four Intermediate matches played in the Amateur League on Saturday, although the Antivilleians didn't really benefit from beating the big freeze, going down four-one to Nortel, who now extend their lead at the top of 1A to four points, using up their 'game in hand' over second placed Shankill United.
Meanwhile, this eighth league defeat for the Tech surely sounds the death knell to what promotion hopes they might have had left, for while they remain in fifth place, they are only two points ahead of newly crowned Steel and Sons Cup winners Kilmore Rec, who have a massive eight games in hand - and the new Border Regiment Cup holders Grove United have also played eight fewer matches than the Old Boys, and are only four points adrift.
Yet this season was surely one of consolidation for the Tech, and in this they surely have improved on last season.
Granted, the Tech haven't been helped by the injury to striker Jimmy Parke and another absentee on Saturday was the influential Kieran Kane, while manager Gary Smyth brought back Brendan Quinn as the last line of defence, though it was somewhat surprising, given that the Seconds weren't playing, that he had his other goalkeeper Cameron Rhys as one of the three substitutes.
Nortel, on the other hand, were on usual lines, with the only change being Eric Faulkner preferred to Stuart McClean in the middle third.
It was the league leaders, too, who had the edge in the opening half, with Mark Wilkinson firing just wide, and Darren McKay testing keeper Quinn.
It was no real surprise either when Nortel got up and running, thanks to a McKay free kick which deflected in off Marty Steele at the end of the wall; keeper Quinn making a valiant effort, but could only help the ball into the net.
The Craigyhillians, though, almost bounced back when Daryll Kernohan rounded Steven Harbinson, but he seemed to lose his footing slightly, and from the unhelpful angle, he could only squeeze his shot past the post.
Nortel, meanwhile, thought they should have had a penalty, maintaining that Tech defender Rab Hunter had handled inside the box.
Just before the break, though, the Larne boys went close again, with Harbinson pawing a Kernohan shot round the post.
One nil then to Nortel at the break, but on the changearound, it was the Tech who came out firing on all cylinders, deservedly drawing level when Zak McAllister, cut in from the right, sneaking the ball in past Harbinson.
Ciaran Kelly then should have put the Tech in front, but with Harbinson stranded, he thumped the ball wide of the target.
The Nortel keeper, though, also did well at the back post, diving courageously to prevent Steele getting on the end of Kelly's tempting pass.
There was another big moment in the game when the Tech were adamant they should have had a penalty, with Kernohan going down inside the box, but referee Jackie McKnight took no action.
Another goal then, with the Tech on top, and it might have turned out differently, but Nortel managed to ride the storm, although the Old Boys mood hardly improved as they believed that a Nortel man handled the ball twice, before the visitors were awarded a free kick from which they regained the lead; McKay tucking the ball past the possibly unsighted Quinn into the corner of the net
Tech's hardened few either were hardly impressed when Kernohan, stealing onto a McAllister pass, was hauled up for what was a debatable offside decision.
However, it was a bridge too far for the Larne boys once Mark Wilkinson grabbed a well taken third, rounding two defenders before rifling the ball beyond Quinn into the top corner of the net.
There was still time, though, for McKay to complete his hat trick, calmly easing the ball wide of the helpless Quinn.
Next Saturday, for the Tech its back to Dennis Harvey Park, where surely they'll secure their first league victory since a Martin Steele penalty gave them a one-nil win over bottom club Downshire Young Men. Next Saturday, the visitors are third bottom Saintfield United, who, admittedly won at Craigyhill in the league last term.
As for Nortel, it's merely a matter of remembering to go into the correct changing rooms, as they 'travel' to fourth placed UUJ, who, of course, are sharing the Factory Grounds this season.
Larne Tech OB; Quinn - Magee (Henry), Adams, Crawford, Hunter - Z McAllister, Brown, Morton, M Steele (McNeill) - Kelly, Kernohan. Sub (unused) Rhys.
Nortel; Harbinson - Lorrimer, McMinn, Kyle, Freyne - Fenner, Faulkner (Loughran), McRoberts (McClean), Bell - McKay, Wilkinson (Conlin).
Referee, Mr Jackie McKnight, Ballyclare.

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