Northern Ireland round-up: Washout suits strugglers

Postponements took their toll on the top clubs in a good week for Northern Ireland's strugglers.

Heavy rainfall
Extremely heavy rainfall forced the postponement of three games involving six of the top seven sides. Leaders Glentoran FC were due to host sixth-placed Cliftonville FC but that match fell victim to the weather, as did the visit of champions Portadown FC to Coleraine FC and Linfield FC's scheduled game at Ards FC.

Strange results
Of the matches that did go ahead, Omagh Town FC suffered a surprise 2-0 home defeat against Newry Town FC on Friday night while Lisburn Distillery FC won 1-0 at Institute FC and Crusaders FC forced a last-gasp equaliser for a 1-1 draw away to Glenavon FC. Yet despite the unusual series of results and circumstances there was no positional movement at all over the entire league table.

Poor run
Lisburn Distillery as they ended their recent poor run of results by winning 1-0 at Institute, their first league win in eight matches. Ironically, the low-lying Riverside stadium is prone to water-logging but the game went ahead - although the hosts will wish it had not.

Great goal
The only goal of the game came in the 17th minute when Holland chased after a high, hopeful punt out of defence by Paul McBride, latched on to the ball when a defender failed to clear it, and lashed a superb shot high into the net.

Late equaliser
Glenavon also seemed set for their first league win in eight matches but were denied a much-needed home victory against second from bottom Crusaders by a last minute equaliser from Davy Munster. Glenavon skipper Gerard McMahon put his side in front with a 40th minute penalty kick but Munster earned a point for Crusaders at the last.

Omagh stumble
On Friday night Omagh missed out on the opportunity to move into second spot above champions Portadown as they slumped to a shock 2-0 home defeat by bottom side Newry. The Tyrone team had the better of the first half, but they wasted their chances.

Good opportunities
Austin Friel started the profligate trend early on and Marty McCann saw his fine shot saved by Stuart Addis, while Colm McCullagh could not convert any of several good opportunities.

Joy for Newry
Newry broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second period when Raymond Byrne headed in a free kick from Damian Curran. Midway through the second half John Joe Maguire sealed the victory for the visitors when he acrobatically volleyed the ball in from an excellent cross by Barry Meehan.