Northern Ireland

Premiership

Friday 14th February 2020

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.44

Warrenpoint Town 2 Institute 2, attendance 194

19’ 1-0

42’ 1-1

83’ 2-1

89’ 2-2

@ Milltown

88 Upper Dromore Road

Warrenpoint

BT34 3PN

£12 Admission

No Programme.

With all Premiership matches switched to Friday night, to avoid teams playing the same day as the League Cup Final at Windsor Park tomorrow night, it was a perfect opportunity to visit the only ground I hadn’t been to in the top division in Northern Ireland. Despite it being second bottom versus bottom in the league table, it was very much all to play for. Warrenpoint held a two point lead coming into the match and knew a win would probably ensure their survival in the top flight. Institute knew anything other than a defeat would be a good result.

Warrenpoint opened the scoring with a deflected shot that gave the ‘keeper no chance of making a save and also saw a shot smash against the crossbar as they attempted to double their lead. Three minutes before the break it was 1-1, when Institute swept the ball in from 8 yards after a cross was not cleared. The second half saw both teams go close and after a couple of good chances for the visitors, Warrenpoint broke away and a cross from the right was sent into the bottom corner by a cushioned volley, for what would surely be the winner. Institute showed some real fight though and with a minute left they were awarded a free kick wide on the left. It was floated into the six yard box and as a number of players challenged for the ball it ended up being flicked into the net for what was probably a deserved equaliser.