McLaughlin's mensecure big win

Gareth Brown’s wonder strike early on was enough for Paddy McLaughlin’s men to move into just a point behind new table toppers Ballyclare Comrades.

Once again Caoimhin Bonner and Dean Curry in particular at the heart of the ’Stute back-line were super, while keeper Marty Gallagher secured another clean-sheet.

The vistiors started on the front foot and they deservedly took the lead in outstanding fashion on four minutes.

Striker Brown picked the ball up some 20 yards from goal and his fantastic left footed strike, flew past a diving Knockbreda keeper David Ferguson, into the top corner.

Knockbreda skipper William McBurney was getting more frustrated in the early stages and deservedly picked up a caution after fouling Aaron Harkin.

Institute went close to adding a second on 23 minutes as Niall Grace saw his long range, strike flash just over the bar.

Minutes later Grace should have scored as Eamonn Seydak’s teasing left wing centre found the skipper, but his close range header failed to trouble Ferguson and whistled just past his right hand post.

Just before the break ’Breada had a great chance to level things but centre-back Ryan Arthur’s close range downward header was well saved by ’Stute’s Gallagher.

The Drumahoe side were inches away from adding a second on 49 minutes as Brown feed Stephen Curry, he rounded Ferguson, before seeing his left foot strike towards the net, but Kris Pike got back to clear off the line.

Just before the hour mark another Curry break down the left ended with his centre finding Ryan Morrow, but the full-back blasted over.

On 61 minutes Ciaran Murray saw his well hit 30 yard free-kick kept out by a diving Gallagher.

In the closing stages and with the home side pumping high balls into the box, ’Stute went close on the counter attack to scoring what would have ended the game as a contest as substitute Ronan Wilson got in behind the ’Breada defence, but his goal bound strike flew well over.

Knockbreda: Ferguson, Culbert (Ryan 71), Pike, Patterson, Arthur, Hamill, McBurney (Walls 85), Cooling, Cafolla (Halliday 65), Murray, Cockcroft.

Institute; Gallagher, R Morrow, Bonner, D Curry, Seydak; S Curry (Wilson 71), Grace, Harkin, Dunne (J Morrow 85); C McCallion, Brown (Friel-Curran 75).
Referee: Ken Gibbons