Reds lose in Lettterbarrow

Trailing 2-0 at the break, the reds were on top for much of the second half and battled bravely in search of an equaliser after Harvey Smyth had reduced the arrears from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

But with time running out and numbers being thrown forward in their quest to find a leveller, the home side broke forward to strike again in injury time to eventually settle a very entertaining contest.

Drumoghill started the brighter but the home side gradually took control and scored twice either side of the half hour through the excellent Dylan Curley. His first came from a tight angle which just evaded Cullen at the far post before his second arrived from the penalty spot after the referee had spotted a foul inside the penalty area.

Drumoghill, clearly affected with the concession of two quick goals, struggled for the remainder of the half and had Jamie Cullen to thank for a number of excellent saves just before the break.

The second half began with Drumoghill getting numbers forward much quicker and they were now the team in the ascendancy. Jensen Rodgers, Ryan Glenn and Jack White kept driving their team forward looking for the goal that would bring them back into the game.

However, the home side defended well and restricted Drumoghill to efforts from distance which forced a number of saves from the excellent Adam Brady in goal for Letterbarrow.

Brady though was eventually undone when Kieran Tourish released Harvey Smyth on 58 minutes; Smyth looked set to score until he was fouled inside the penalty area, but he picked himself up to fire home from the spot and bring his side back into the contest.

Smyth almost turned creator a few minutes later when he got free down the left channel and his cross just evaded Sam McElhinney at the far post.

Letterbarrow deserve credit for defending resolutely throughout the second half and they got their rewards when Rian Lawler tapped home at the back post in injury time to secure the win.

Letterbarrow now advance to the area final and we wish them well.

Our thanks to our hosts for their hospitality and to referee Frankie Early for officiating.