Lisbellaw United 1-0 Kilrea United 

Richard Woods’ goal after four minutes was enough to take Lisbellaw through to the last 64 of the Junior Cup, as they overcame Kilrea United 1-0 at Drumad. 

  In a tight and tense battle, the early goal proved crucial, but Lisbellaw manager Kyle McCleery admitted they were pushed all the way Kilrea, who arrived with an unbeaten record in their league games this season. 

“The game was in the balance throughout,” McCleery acknowledged.  

“It was a very, very tight game that could have gone either way. They were a good team, as good a team as we have played in a long time.  

"They were not a great footballing team as such, although they had good players dotted throughout the team, but they were really hard-working, aggressive, in your face and physically very strong.

"They were seasoned players, and you could tell they had been around the block a few times. It wasn’t a day for playing much football, and we couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm at all, but that was more down to them.

"There were a lot of free kicks and the game was very stop-start so it was scrappy but a real good cup game.

"Both teams threw everything at it. There was plenty of commitment and endeavour from both teams.  It was heart-in-the-mouth stuff at the end but luckily we held on.” 

The intensity and pace of the game was high right from the kick-off, and with five minutes on the clock Lisbellaw took the lead when Craig Johnston released Scott Moutray down the left wing, and his drilled low cross was finished off at the back post by right winger Richard Woods.   

Goal scoring opportunities were rare in a tight first half, but Lisbellaw thought they should have had a penalty after 15 minutes when Moutray went down inside the area as he challenged for possession following Johnston’s free-kick, but the referee waved away their appeals.   

After 30 minutes Moutray picked out Paul McGrath with a through ball, but under pressure from the defender, he fired his shot wide of the upright.

In defence, Lisbellaw were forced to withstand a barrage of high balls and corners, but they held firm to reach the halftime interval with their lead intact. 

Ten minutes into the second half Josh Brownlee was called upon, pushing away a volley from Kilrea striker Rory Maguire, with Ben Parkinson completing the clearance.

Law left back Daniel Brady almost scored with a fortuitous cross that threatened to drop in at the far post before the scrambling goalkeeper got a touch to divert the ball out for a corner, and Craig Johnston also came close with a cross as he saw his effort come off the post and bounce harmlessly between two inrushing attackers as Kilrea hacked clear.

Moutray then headed wide, but as the half progressed Kilrea increased the pressure on the home goal.  Lisbellaw continued to defend well and a late Brownlee fingertip stop ensured they put their name in the draw for the next round.