Kildrum advanced to the final of the Brian McCormick Cup after this victory over Drumkeen.
Drumkeen United 1 Kildrum Tigers 2
Played in changeable weather conditions at St Patrick’s Park the first half was uneventful with neither team having any clear-cut chances.
As the first half drew to a close Kildrum forced a series of corners which the Drumkeen defence managed to deal with and it remained scoreless at the break.
Kildrum began the second half on the attack and went ahead in the opening minutes when Damian Crossan fired home from inside the box.
Despite falling behind the home team heads did not drop and after surviving some more Kildrum pressure they began playing a bit of football and creating a few chances themselves.
On one of those occasions Lee Guthrie almost capitalised when Kildrum ‘keeper Shaun Friel misjudged a high ball but he did well to recover.
Drumkeen then had an even better chance to equalise but Benny Bonner saw his superb 30 yard strike smash off the crossbar. The home team did get their equaliser when the Guthrie brothers combined as Lee did well to set up younger brother Michael who calmly finished past keeper Friel.
The game was more open now with both sides having their attacking spells.
Drumkeen keeper Paul McCauley had to make a good save to keep the scores level while at the other end Kildrum cleared a Drumkeen effort off the line.
The visitors did take the lead again though with ten minutes left. They we’re awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. William Lynch took the free which deflected off the wall and into the bottom left hand corner giving McCauley no chance.
Once again despite falling behind the home team battled on and went in search of an equaliser.
The last few minutes was all Drumkeen as they went in search of an equaliser to try and take the tie into extra time. They forced a series of corners during which another effort was cleared off the line by a Kildrum defender.
Unfortunately for the home team they ran out of time and Joe McHugh blew the final whistle much to the delight of the visitors .
This was a good enough game especially in the second half.
Overall the home team acquitted themselves well against their Premier League visitors who will now go on to meet Kilmacrennan in the final.
Drumkeen will now turn their attention back to league matters and a potential League decider away to Cranford next week.
