Lisburn City fell 4–3 to Orchard Park Thistle after leading twice in a match that turned on John Heron’s 22nd-minute sending-off. Shaun Goater had headed City in front from Damien Kelly’s cross, but Colonel Alba levelled before the break. Orchard Park substitute Fitzy put the visitors ahead soon after half-time, only for City’s own changes to pay off: Nico OReilly struck from close range and Johnny Crossan scored a minute later to restore the lead. Holding it with ten men proved too much. Eric Jones Snr’s cross floated into the top corner, then Phil Johnston headed in Colonel Alba’s delivery for the winner. Johnston was named Man of the Match. City’s response after falling behind showed plenty of spirit, while Goater earned a coaching point; Heron will miss the next game.

“Three goals with ten men ought to be enough. Apparently we needed to keep eleven on the pitch as well.”
— Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “Slip Slidin’ Away” — Paul Simon Listen on YouTube⁠

City regained the lead, but it slipped away in the final quarter.

Lisburn City bounced back from their opening SFLSL Cup defeat with a controlled 2–0 victory over Ye Olde Spurs. City carried the greater attacking threat throughout, registering four shots on target while restricting Spurs to just one. Phil McDonagh made the deserved breakthrough after 29 minutes, heading beyond Tony Parks after Lisburn punished a loose Tottenham pass. Tommy McCracken preserved the lead before half-time with a superb sliding block to deny Billy Minter, while Andy McDonald safely handled Spurs’ only shot on target. Carl Oakes reshaped his side at the interval, introducing Nicolăs Otamendi, Bernardo Silva and Nico OReilly, and City remained composed when Spurs switched to a pressing game. The points were secured in the 81st minute when Sandro Tonali fouled Johnny Crossan inside the area and Crossan emphatically converted the penalty. McDonald collected Man of the Match, while Shaun Goater earned a coaching point from his 45-minute contribution.

“The first result put us behind schedule, so a win, a clean sheet and no unnecessary drama will do nicely.”
— Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “Back on the Chain Gang” — The Pretenders
Listen on YouTube⁠

City responded to their opening defeat by getting their Cup campaign firmly back on track.

Lisburn City opened Season 50 with a frustrating 2–0 defeat after controlling much of the attacking play at Gotham. Glyn Pardoe’s sixth-minute thigh injury forced an early reshuffle, but City still created the better chances. Shaun Goater struck the post, while Jamsie Irwin and Aaron Cochrane both missed glorious opportunities after rounding or beating goalkeeper Drago Lekovic. Gotham’s Man of the Match made five saves as Jeremy Doku, Damien Kelly and substitute Phil McDonagh were also denied. Andy McDonald kept City level during Gotham’s livelier start to the second half, but the visitors were punished for one pass too many when Mark Reilly headed home in the 84th minute. Reilly struck again four minutes later with a bending finish, completing a harsh late double that disguised how competitive Lisburn had been for most of the match. Goater’s consolation was a coaching point.

“Apparently goals count for more than promising attacks and moral superiority; we’ll amend the tactics accordingly.”
— Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “So Close” — Daryl Hall & John Oates
Listen on YouTube⁠

City repeatedly came close before Gotham delivered the decisive late blows.