Rampant Institute put Armagh City to the sword under the lights at Brandywell

A RAMPANT Institute put bottom-of-the-table Armagh City to the sword under the lights at Brandywell Stadium as they returned to winning ways in style.

There were five different scorers on the night and it could've been more for the Waterside outfit as Conner Byrne brilliantly saved Padraig Lynch's first-half penalty.

Aidan Hegarty, Stephen Doherty, Mikhail Kennedy, Lynch and Sean O'Kane all got their names on the scoresheet in a dominant display.

Three goals in the opening nine minutes ultimately did the damage against managerless Armagh who parted ways with Dave Rogers during the week after just four months in the post.

His assistant manager Tiernan Mulvenna took charge and it was a difficult night in the dugout for the former Drogheda United player and first team coach.

'Stute boss Peter Hutton watched this one from the stands as he served his one match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards.

Paddy McLaughlin patrolled the touchline in his absence and the Creggan man will have enjoyed the early stages of the match as 'Stute began with real intensity.

The home side got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring after just four minutes - setting the tone for what was to come.

Aidan Hegarty's left footed cross fortuitously floated over the head of the Armagh keeper and into the top corner of the net.

Less than 60 seconds later 'Stute doubled their lead with the Armagh defence all at sea. This time Hegarty turned provider with a neat pass into the path of Doherty who fired low past the keeper at his near post.

Worse was to come for Armagh as Kennedy rifled a half volley into the roof of the net from just inside the penalty box in the ninth minute as 'Stute penned their opponents in.

Shane Boyle cushioned a defensive header into the path of Armagh striker Leon Keogh but he failed to capitalise as his tame strike from outside the box was gathered cleanly by Jack Mills.

'Stute had the chance to add a fourth on 18 minutes when Harry Adair blatantly pulled back Hegarty inside the Armagh penalty area and referee Ben Shepherd pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Lynch but Conner Byrne turned away his penalty kick low at

his left hand post.

Caoimhinn Porter went down clutching his hamstring - a worrying injury for the 'Stute management team - as the full-back was replaced by Max Johnston after just 24 minutes.

The Waterside men didn't have to wait long for another goalscoring opportunity but once again it was spurned. Shea McGinley sent Johnston in behind and when he cut the ball back to Kennedy, the experienced striker miscued his shot with the goal at his mercy.

'Stute went in at the break with a three goal advantage which could've been greater and that injury to Porter spoiled what was an almost perfect opening 45 minutes.

'Stute were intent on putting this game to bed early in the second half as they began with real intent.

Kennedy tried his luck with a curling strike from distance on 54 minutes but Byrne smartly turned it behind.

Just before the hour mark 'Stute added a fourth and Lynch made amends for his first half penalty miss. Kennedy played the ball into the path of Lynch with a sublime first touch with his back to goal and the striker fired low across goal and into the bottom corner.

Armagh should've pulled one back when Tyler Doherty skipped past McGinley on the left flank and delivered low into the box but Aidan Russell directed his first time strike wide from eight yards.

Substitute Trevor Murray was sent in behind the 'Stute defence moments later but screwed his shot across goal and well wide of the target,

Kennedy was denied a second goal of the night as Byrne got down low at full stretch to turn away his 20 yard effort with 15 minutes remaining.

'Stute made it 5-0 on 81 minutes when sub, Ryan McDowell's inswinging free-kick from wide on the left was flicked into the bottom corner by O'Kane to complete the rout.

Institute: Jack Mills; Caoimhinn Porter (Max Johnston 24), Sean O'Kane, Shane Boyle (Zach McCauley 64), Ben Hutton (Ryan McDowell h-t); Shea McGinley, Brendan Barr, Stephen Doherty (Callum Deery 77), Aidan Hegarty; Mikhail Kennedy, Padraig Lynch (Liam Mullan 64).

Armagh City: Conner Byrne; Harry Adair, Andrew Spain (Edward Otesanya 78), Joseph Gorman, Ultan McLaughlin (Shea Geraghty 63); Cian Wilson, Conor McCloskey, Odhran Smyth, Aidan Russell (Trevor Murray 63), Tyler Doherty; Leon Keogh (Favour Kwelele 63).

Referee - Ben Shepherd.