Maiden City book quarter-final spot

Lisburn Youth...1

MAIDEN City progressed through to the last 8 of the National League Cup with victory over a resilient Lisburn team. The game started at a frantic pace with neither side able to settle or work either keeper.

City’s back four dealt well with the Lisburn attacking threat and despite City having good success down the right through Callum Moorehead and Adam Dougherty they couldn’t carve out a clear cut chance.

MCA were now bossing the vast majority of possession but couldn’t find a way through the stubborn Lisburn defence who were being well marshalled by their two centre halves.

Lisburn did cause the City defence a few problems but Dylan King and Brett McGinty dealt with the threat well.

Both teams came out in the second half determined to take the game to the opposition and within the first five minutes City managed to find a way past the visitors defence when Thomas Cole linked well with Cal Ryan before finding Shane Brennan who fired over.

The game was now starting to stretch and the first goal was going to be important.

Eventually it was City who broke the deadlock when Odhran Crumley turned his man and chipped a pass over the left backs head for Brennan to run on to and fire into the bottom corner.

Minutes later Declan Sharkey found Adam Dougherty’s run with a great ball from midfield, Dougherty then composed himself and lobbed the onrushing keeper.

City should have added to the score line but took their foot off the gas and it looked as if the game would drift out until City failed to clear inside their area and then Lisburn were awarded a penalty for a hand ball inside the box. The Lisburn striker made no mistake from the spot giving Gareth Muldoon no chance in the City goal.

In the closing stages of the game Lisburn tried to level the game and force it into extra time but City could also furthered their lead. Eventually the final whistle sounded and City booked a quarter final game with Ballinamallard.

Maiden City Academy; Muldoon, McGee, McGinty, King, Ryan, Moorehead, Sharkey, Brennan, Cole, McLaughlin, Dougherty. Subs; Ross, Marshall, Crumley and McCorkell.