Uefa Europa Conference League third qualifying round, first leg: FK Balkani 0 Larne 1
MATTY Lusty came off the bench to bag a precious late winner for Larne in Kosovo last night.
The teenage striker was on the end of a Levi Ives free-kick in the 89th minute to score his first-ever European goal and set up a mouth-watering second leg at Inver Park next Thursday.
Larne boss Tiernan Lynch will know nothing is decided yet – especially against the same side who ran out 7-1 winners against the Invermen last year.
However, it was a performance and result at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium which goes some way towards restoring some much-needed pride after a difficult summer for Irish League clubs in Europe.
The opening exchanges were relatively quiet, with Larne settling on a shape which the home side found hard to break down.
Despite soaking up pressure, the Invermen looked reasonably lively on the break and Andy Ryan fired a warning shot on 24 minutes.
The Scotsman drove into the box from the left flank and fizzed a dangerous cross across face of goal.
The best opportunity arrived 33 minutes into the game when Rohan Ferguson was called into action at the other end.
After a challenge from Cian Bolger just outside the box, the ball broke to Bernard Karrica and his low effort forced a great save from Rohan Ferguson to turn it wide of the post.
The same forward had a good chance late in the half but ended up heading well wide with Larne defenders looking for an offside flag after a cross from the left.
Larne boss Lynch made a switch at half-time, with Joe Thomson coming on for Mark Randall and the second half began in encouraging fashion for the visitors.
Lee Bonis, who is reportedly attracting interest from Den Hag, broke into space and let fly with a low drive from 25 yards out which was well held by home goalkeeper Enea Kolici.
Despite a strong start to the half Ballkani came close with two quickfire efforts on 55 minutes, with Arber Potoku forcing a save from Ferguson, before Lindon Emerllahu drove the rebound wide from outside the box.
The game then settled into a similar pattern to the first half with the home side seeing the majority of possession without calling Rohan Ferguson into action too often.
In the final 10 minutes, Lynch introduced Lusty from the bench and what an inspired switch it proved to be.
With a minute left of normal time Levi Ives swung a dangerous free-kick in from the left which was flicked on by Lee Bonis – who put in a serious shift all night – and Lusty was on hand to sweep home from inside the six-yard box.
