Ballinamallard 4-2 Immaculata

The Mallards progressed into Round 6 of the Tennent’s Irish Cup with this home win over Amatuer League side Immaculata, and they will now face Ballymena United away.

Sean Noble scored a debut goal on 6 minutes when he picked up a loose back pass before rounding the goalkeeper, whilst Leddy and Curran both went close in the opening stages.

Immaculata almost equalised on the counter attack as half time approached, but James McKenna got back just in time to put a block in against Adrian Oliver and it remained one nil.

The second half didn’t start well for Ballinamallard, with ex-Linfield player Brian McCaul firing a free kick straight through the Mallards wall and past Brush for an equaliser, but it wasn’t long before the home side went back in front again, when Ryan Curran volleyed a loose ball in the penalty area low into the corner of the net on 54 minutes.

Half time substitute Stephen O’Flynn netted on his return to the club on 63 minutes with a rasping shot across goal to make it 3-1, before Ryan Curran scored his second of the day, shooting low past McKenna on the rebound having initially headed Kerr’s excellent cross against the post.

Matty Smyth and Jonny Leddy both clipped the bar and in the final minutes, Kevin McGovern scored a fine solo goal to reduce the deficit, but it was the home side that progressed.