INSTITUTE: Curry on fire

Armagh City 1-4 Institute
Institute's Stephen Curry scored a hat-trick at Armagh City.Institute's Stephen Curry scored a hat-trick at Armagh City.
Institute's Stephen Curry scored a hat-trick at Armagh City.

Winger Stephen Curry grabbed a hat-trick as Institute secured their first away victory of the season, at Armagh City.

The Newbuildings man was a threat throughout and his late goals to complete his treble, at a sun drenched Holm Park, capped a fine Stute display.

Kevin Deery’s side in truth would have won by a bigger margin but for two top drawer saves from ex-Druamhoe favourite John Connolly; while not to be out done at the other end Marty Gallagher made a wonderful top class save when the game was still in the balance at 2-1.

Although Curry and Gallagher will grab a lot of limelight for the visitors another man who produced a sterling display was full-back Ryan Morrow, who moved across from right-back to left-back, before scoring the all important second goal for the Waterside men.

The Drumahoe club took the lead on five minutes as Gareth Brown did well down the left before cutting the ball back to Curry and he gleefully fired home from close range.

Connolly had to make a great save on 17 minutes as another flowing move by the visitors ended with Stephen Curry’s centre found Michael McCrudden on the six yard box, but his effort was kept out by the Armagh net-minder.

The lively Andrew Hoey went close to levelling things moments later as his attempted lob from 30 yards, which had Stute keeper Marty Gallagher beaten, flew just wide.

City, who where only causing Stute problems with high balls into the box, suffered two injury set-backs in the opening 45 minutes with both Ultan Lennon and Eamon Kelly being replaced by Jamie Quigley and Conor Murtagh respectively.

Just after the half-hour a mis placed clearance by the out-rushing Connolly fell to Stephen Curry, but his shot towards the unguarded net from some 40 yards flew just past the keeper’s left hand post.

The home side went close to equalising on 50 minutes but Andrew Hoey some how headed over from close range, after substitute Quigley had picked him out at the near post.

Armagh did level things six minutes later as Quigley made no mistake from 12 yards, after Sean Mallon’s initial shot fell perfectly to the striker.

On the hour mark, Connolly made a remarkable save when he kept out Alex Pomeroy’s close range strike.

Five minutes later the visitors regained the lead from an unlikely source as defender Ryan Morrow skipped through a few challenges before drilling the ball low into Connolly’s bottom right hand corner.

Soon after Gallagher had to make an outstanding save when at full stretch he managed to tip over Johnny McSorley’s curling 20 yard effort.

Institute wrapped the points up in the closing stages as Curry netted his second of the day on 84 minutes, cutting inside from the right before blasting home from close range, after his initial drive was charged down.

Curry completed his hat-trick two minutes later as a quick counter attack ended with Ryan Doherty’s through ball releasing the winger and he gleefully made no mistake tucking the ball past Connolly.

Armagh City: Connolly, Montgomery, Lennon (Quigley 24), Noonan, Toal, Bell, Mallon, Kelly (Murtagh 45), Hoey, McSorley, Carvill.

Institute: Gallagher, Morrow, McDermott, O’Donnell, D Curry (Roddy 60); A Harkin, C Harkin, McCrudden; S Curry, Brown (Pomeroy H-T); McIntyre (Doherty 60).

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