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Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
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25 July 2023 | 7:45 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2023/24 |
Match Report
Larne Face Up Hill Task To Reach Third Round
A limp Larne performance out in Kosovo tonight leaves them with it all to do in the return leg as FC Ballkani battered them 3-0.
Having bowed out of Champions League contention in heroically heartbreaking fashion last week, Larne hoped to commence their Conference League campaign with a good result to take home.
And whilst they saw little of the ball in the opening stages, their goal didn’t come under serious threat from Ballkani until twenty minutes in, goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson making two quick saves in succession which kept out efforts from Lorenc Trashi and Nazmi Gripshi.
As the away defence felt the heat, eventually they got burnt when Shaun Want unwisely tangled with Gripshi and conceded a penalty, no doubt to the annoyance of boss Tiernan Lynch after his side also conceded a spot kick to HJK Helsinki.
Up stepped Kosovan forward, Albion, Rrahmani who caressed the kick into the corner to make it 1-0.
It went from bad to worse for Larne seven minutes later as Ballkani sliced through them at ease and bearing in on goal, Almir Kyreziu finished superbly, his shot fired across Ferguson, into the net.
Half time arrived as a reprieve with the visitors left with quite the uphill task for the second half.
Service to Lee Bonis and Andrew Ryan up front remained scant however, the NIFl champions falling flat especially compared to how they attacked Helsinki last time out.
They were lucky to not concede a third when Rrahmani ran in again only to be deemed offside.
Three bookings for the hosts added some bite to a niggly game and Larne got on the front foot when Joe Thomson and Levi Ives came on, albeit unable to land a crucial goal.
Their lack of cutting edge was exposed moments later as the Kosovans added a third in comical style.
From Larne’s own corner, Ballkani effortlessly countered up, sauntering into the final third as Rrahmani turned provider, sliding in Gripshi who slickly stroked it home.
Substitute Paul O’Neill went closest to reducing the arears with an attempt that deflected wide but Larne offered little and now have a mountain to climb at Solitude.
After dropping down a rung in European competitions with elimination last week, Larne’s performance quality also dipped considerably and unless they can turn this around, they will find themselves off the European ladder entirely for another season.
Timeline
9. Albion Rrahmani | 26' | |
98. Almir Kryeziu | 33' | |
10. Nazmi Gripshi | 58' | |
5. Lumbardh Dellova | 62' | |
63' | Dylan Sloan Joe Thomson | |
63' | Micheal Glynn Levi Ives | |
98. Almir Kryeziu | 65' | |
10. Nazmi Gripshi | 67' | |
69' | 6. Joe Thomson | |
Almir Kryeziu Albin Berisha | 74' | |
76' | Lee Bonis Paul O'Neill | |
76' | Andrew Ryan Isaac Westendorf | |
82' | 5. Craig Farquhar | |
87' | Tomas Cosgrove Thomas Maguire | |
Lorenc Trashi Arbër Potoku | 89' | |
Albion Rrahmani Bleart Tolaj | 89' | |
Meriton Korenica Albin Kapra | 90+3' | |
Nazmi Gripshi Veton Tusha | 90+3' |
Ground
Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri |
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M574+4RW, Rr. Enver Zymberi, Prishtina |
FULL TIME - Finishes 3-0! Larne with it all to in the home leg, once more
Five minutes added on as Larne look for something to take back to Solitude
Farqahar carded
Bonis and Ryan are hooked for Isaac Westendorf and Paul O'Neill
Gripshi off to a standing ovation
Gripshi makes it 3-0! Counterattack from a Larne corner, utter shambles by the visitors
Lynch has seen enough. On come new man Levi Ives and hero last week, Joe Thomson for Glynn and Sloan
Frustration for the hosts sees Dellova carded, can Larne capitalise?
Gripshi booked
Larne with a few early set pieces which never threaten Ehea Kolici in the home goal
SECOND HALF - Larne with it all to do as we resume action in Kosovo!
HALF TIME - 2-0 down, lot of work for Larne and Tiernan Lynch to do if they are to salvage anything
A Tomas Cosgrove corner which came to nought is all Larne have mustered up in response, the NI side somewhat rabbit in headlights at the moment
2-0! t's a lovely goal, this, captain Edvin Kuc releasing Bleart Tolaj who scampers in and beats Ferguson comfortably
The Kosovan side lead and its richly deserved, Albion Rrhamani despatching the kick
PENALTY TO BALLKANI
Even better save from Ferguson as he repels Gripshi!! Larne wobbling a little
Rohan Ferguson worked for the first time tonight to palm away an cross/shot attempt by Lorenc Trashi
Larne, despite seeing little of the ball so far, are well settled in this game, Michael Glynn proving a pacy outlet on the left
Shaun Want, immense last week, makes a big tackle to stop Nazmi Gripshi getting a clear shot off
Strong Ballkani penalty appeals early on but nothing doing, says referee, Denys Shurman
KICK OFF - Underway in Kosovo!
TEAM NEWS - Craig Farqahar makes his first Larne start in defence with new signing, Levi Ives, a substitute
Evening all and welcome to the first leg of a Conference League qualifier tonight as Ballkani of Kosovo and Larne of Northern Ireland face off, kick off is at 7:45pm