Irvinestown 0-2 Bessbrook 

Irvinestown bowed out of the Junior Cup, conceding a goal in either half to Mid Ulster side Bessbrook at the Bawnacre.

Wanderers had the better of the early exchanges but could not find a goal to put them ahead, and Bessbrook took full advantage. 

Manager Darren Higginbotham was disappointed to exit the cup, but content with his side’s showing against a team that are unbeaten in their home league this season.  

“In the first half I can’t complain,” he said.  “I thought we were the better team, but we just couldn’t get a goal.

"Their goalkeeper did well, and we maybe were not being clinical enough from our end. Then we ended up conceding a goal against the run of play.  

"In the second half, on reflection, we probably didn’t do enough to get the goal, albeit we had a couple of chances.  

"From our perspective, whilst it is never okay to lose, the lads gave a good account of themselves.  I do believe that if we could have got one goal then we could have got more, but it was just one of those days where we couldn’t get the goal.

"The performance I am not too disheartened by, but the result is obviously disappointing.” 

Irvinestown’s chances of success took a hit when Stephen Sheridan and Chris McMulkin were added to their lengthy list of unavailable players in the lead up to the match.

“We were down to the bare bones, but the lads that have come in have not let themselves down in any way,” said Higginbotham.  

“I’m pleased with the effort and pleased with the fact they are giving as much as they can. It’s just that wee bit of luck is evading us at the moment.

"Maybe being a bit more clinical in the attacking third and having we bit more luck in the defensive third. They deserve more because they are giving everything.

"We just have to keep working hard and keep being as competitive as we can be, and we can only hope that our luck turns. It is a difficult period, and we have to accept that and go again on Saturday against Killen.” 

Wanderers scored six in the first round of the cup, and they looked threatening in attack again in the early stages.

After fifteen minutes Jamie McFarlane picked up possession from a throw-in and found Caolan Ward inside the penalty area, but his low shot was saved.  

Moments later Ward got in again after a pass over the top of the Bessbrook defence and he cut back inside the full back, but the keeper again denied him. 

Bessbrook took the lead against the run of play after 25 minutes when a cross from the left evaded the Wanderers defence and Will Kelly tapped in at the front post. 

Ward had another effort saved at the start of the second half, but Bessbrook sealed the victory with twenty minutes remaining when a cross was converted at the back post by Ruairi O’Brien.