CULDAFF BELIED THEIR poor league form to defeat Lagan Harps in the Ulster Junior Cup this afternoon at the Moss in Drumoghill.
Lagan Harps 1-2 Culdaff FC
The Inishowen League side, who have just one point from their eight domestic outings thus far this term, produced a deserved win on the road.
The return of Brendan McLaughlin from Cockhill Celtic certainly helped, with the central midfielder bossing proceedings as well as scoring the winning goal.
Keith Hegarty’s Lagan struggled to make an imprint in the game until the final quarter-hour, when they were already two goals behind.
Lagan had an early chance when Oran Hilley’s shot was well held by Daryl McLaughlin.
In the 20th minute, at the other end, a free-kick from Brendan McLaughlin found Dermot Diver but his header was over the crossbar when well-placed.
Things became a little tetchy with a number of challenges flying in and some questioning the decisions of referee Joe McHugh, who showed four yellow cards in six minutes before the half-hour.
Damien McFadden in the Lagan goal made a decent double-save to deny Paul McLaughlin on 33 minutes.
Culdaff hit the front five minutes before the break when Brendan McLaughlin freed full-back Peter Doherty, who crossed for Paul McLaughlin. His shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded into the net off the back of the head of the unfortunate McFadden.
The Lagan Harps side who took on Culdaff FC this afternoon in the Ulster Junior Cup
It was 1-0 to the visitors at half-time and the visitors produced the best opportunity in the early stages of the second period when Matthew Crampsie centred for Paul McLaughlin to set up Brendan McLaughlin but both his efforts were blocked by some desperate defending.
Culdaff got their second in the 62nd minute when Michael Coyle played the ball out wide to Crampsie and his cross was tucked home by Brendan McLaughlin at the second time of asking.
Two down, Mark Hunter carried the fight for Lagan when his run and shot saw Daryl McLaughlin save well.
In the 72nd minute, Hunter set up Marty Brogan only for the Culdaff goalkeeper to again save well.
Lagan had another chance in the 81st minute, when Philip Doran’s shot was saved and substitute Donnacha Gallagher’s follow-up was blocked by Damien Harkin.
A goal for Lagan finally arrived seven minutes from time when a long ball from the back found Chris Toner, who got in behind and squared for Hunter to tap home from close range.
Late on, Lagan had plenty of pressure but Culdaff held on to book their tickets to the next round.
Lagan Harps: Damien McFadden; Glen Gallagher, Ronan Gibson, David O’Herlihy, Paul Rodgers; Philip Doran, Oran Hilley, Martin Brogan, Daniel Clarke (Donnacha Gallagher 78); Chris Toner, Mark Hunter.
Culdaff FC: Daryl McLaughlin; Peter Doherty, Dermot Diver, Patrick McGrenaghan (John McFeely 69), Damien Harkin; Matthew Crampsie, Dillon Ruddy, Brendan McLaughlin, Conor Farren (Michael McLaughlin 90); Paul McLaughlin, Michael Coyle.
Referee: Joe McHugh.
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