The "Tie of the 1st Round" of this years Junior Cup saw Ardoyne progress at the expense of Lincoln Courts.
Ryan Gibney scored the winner but it was Lincoln Courts keeper Lee Simpson who received the man of the match award after a string of fine saves.
The game started with a spring in the Ardoyne teams step and they looked the most likely to open the score. On 10 mins 'Simpson pulled off his first fantastic save from Ardoye's Stephen Turley and within 2 mins again denied Ardoyne.
Ardoyne kept up the pressure and at time you felt it was all one way traffic. Lincoln Courts had a bit of possession but no meaningful attacks.
Again Simpson in the Lincoln Courts goal was called into action and within 2 mins palmed a shot over the crossbar and from the resulting corner had to work hard to hold onto a curling shot.
On the 30th min the deadlock was broke when Gibney found himself in a bit of space and calmly slotted it home from inside the 18 yard box.
As the second half started it was a rejuvenated Lincoln Courts team who took to the pitch. The home team pushed Ardoyne back and launched attack after attack but Ardoyne were happy to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter attack.
Lincoln Courts keeper Simpson was again called into action and was again at his top standard.
The game became a scrappy affair with Lincoln Courts doing everything to get the equaliser but alas it wasn't to be. In the end Ardoyne had did enough to secure their place in the 2nd round draw.
