Institute eased past Strabane Athletic to reach the North West Senior Cup semi-final. Goals from Alex Pomeroy, Cormac Burke and Aaron McGurk sealed the win over the Intermediate side. At a wet Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, the Waterside men were always in control, despite Aodhan Doherty’s equaliser early in the second half. Sean Connor was happy that his side secured their first victory of the 2020-21 campaign and was pleased with debutants Conor Quigley and Jonny Bonner in particular. ’Stute thought they had taken the lead on 23 minutes but Alex Pomeroy’s close range strike was ruled out by referee Niall Gallagher, for a foul on Athletic keeper Ruairi McElroy. Pomeroy did score on 39 minutes when a neat passing move ended with the striker making no mistake from close range, firing high into McElroy’s top right hand corner. Athletic started the second half on the front foot and they levelled things on 50 minutes as Aodhan Doherty broke the ’Stute offside trap and he calmly slotted the ball past the out-rushing Dylan Doherty. Sean Connor’s men regained the lead on 74 minutes from the penalty spot, when Cormac Burke was brought down inside the box, referee Niall Gallagher rightfully pointed to the spot and after dusting himself down, the ’Stute skipper side footed home despite McElroy’s best efforts to keep it out. In the closing stages 'Stute substitute McGurk bundled the ball home from close range, to seal cup win Institute: D Doherty, Bonner, Sheerin, McCauley, McDermott, Burke, Quigley, Brogan, Pomeroy, Francis, Doherty. Strabane Athletic: McElroy, M Doherty, McBrearty, Stephenson, McNulty, Bishop, A Doherty, Crawford, Maguire, Sharkey, McShane. Referee: Mr Niall Gallagher.
