Darren Rodgers and David Gibson clash in midair
Harryville Homers 3
Lisbellaw United 1
It wasn’t to be the fairy tale ending to the season for Lisbellaw United as Harryville Homers clinched the prestigious Junior Cup following a 3-1 win in Castledawson on Bank Holiday Monday.
Lisbellaw went into the tie seeking to bridge a 36year gap but the wait continues following some clinical finishing from their Ballymena opposition.
James McGrath’s men settled into the tie well without carving out any clear openings as Harryville sat back in an attempt to spring counter attacks.
A swift break almost unhinged Lisbellaw but a Kyle McCleery foul led to a free which came to nothing.
The game was pretty even during the first half hour before Harryville pinched an opener on 32minutes. Matthew McFrederick was caught in possession and the ball was slipped to Paul McNeill inside the penalty area and he fired past William McFrederick.
Lisbellaw would continue to press with Paul McGrath heavily involved in their best work but chances remained few and far between.
A killer blow on the stroke of half time seen Lisbellaw go 2-0 down. Lisbellaw were on the attack when Harryville won back the ball on the edge of there own penalty area.
The Homers cantered forward at pace and again McNeill was on the end of the move to beat William McFrederick at the near post with a low drilled effort.
Two down at the interval Lisbellaw emerged for the second half and took the game to Harryville as the penned back their opponents for long periods. It took until the 78th minute for Lisbellaw to conjure up their goal despite a series of attacks. Alan Veitch was brought down 20 yards from goal and Davy Little drilled the free into the net.
The Fermanagh and Western side continued pressing for a leveller but they would see their chances blocked and cleared before conceding at the other end.
Four minutes from time Niall Leonard was dispossessed in the right back area, the ball was crossed by McNeill and turned in from close range by Alan Rainey.
At the death Rainey squandered a good chance at the back post but a fourth would have been harsh on Lisbellaw who had put in a big effort and were undone by some fine finishing.
It was a valiant effort by Lisbellaw who brought a large support with them however they would return empty handed as Harryville made amends for last years final defeat by winning the competition this time round.
See the Fermanagh Herald on Wednesday, May 7th, for further coverage and reaction…