Early goal wins it for Loughgall in U12 Foyle Cup Final at the Brandywell

Foyle Cup U12 Final

Coleraine 0

Loughgall Youth 1

Loughgall Youth U12's produced a superb battling performance to see off Coleraine U12's thanks Pacey Drake's early strike, at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

While both sides were denied by the woodwork, the Villagers ran out deserved winners and they were led well by Leah Heapburn.

Miss Heapburn was delighted to receive the trophy from Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

"It's my first time in the big stadium, the pitch was massive and I'm knackered now, but it was all worth it to win the cup," she said. "We all played well and worked hard and the whole week has been great."

As for Loughgall boss Kyle McDowell he was equally thrilled by his side's cup success.

"Over the moon for all the squad, because they've all played their part this week," he explained.

"We got the early goal and thankfully that was enough for us to do it. Coleraine are a good team who really put it up to us in the second half."

The deadlock was broken after just two minutes as striker Pacey Drake turned the ball home from close to give Loughgall the perfect start.

Coleraine went close to levelling things on 12 minutes as Norrie Stewart nearly capitalised on a short back pass, but Loughgall goalkeeper Charlie Kerr raced out of his box to boot the ball clear.

Timur Myronov went close to doubling Loughgall, but his low 20 yard drive was well gathered by a diving Harry McBride.

The Bannsiders youngsters started the second half on the front foot and only for some clever defending by Darrell Matuku denied Stewart that all important equaliser on 28 minutes.

The young left-back got across and did enough to put Stewart off and he shepherded the ball back to his keeper Kerr.

On 35 minutes Loughgall substitute Johnny Woods did well to cut the ball back to Cody Greszta, but the midfielder's 20 yard strike, which had McBride worried, flew over the bar.

A superb Ty McConaghy corner on 40 minutes found Coleraine centre-midfielder Cahir Carton, but his header, which had McBride beaten, came back off the crossbar, before Loughgall cleared the loose ball.

Carton was inches away from equalising moments later as Sean Johnston's inswinging free-kick found the midfielder again, but his glancing header, which was goal-bound, was deflected over the bar.

Deep into stoppage time Loughgall were denied by the woodwork as substitute Daniel Farrell saw his cross-cum-shot, which sailed over McBride, crashed against the crossbar.

Right at the death McBride was called into action again, this time he held onto Noah McGladdery's long range shot.

Teams

Coleraine U12: Harry McBride, Conan McKeever, Cahir Carton, Christy Moore, Dylan McIlroy, Harry Blair, Corey O'Neill, Daniel Caskey, Norrie Stewart, Harry Hunt, Ty McConaghy, Sean Johnston. Subs: Eoin McAlesse, Cahan O'Kane, Freddie Bratton.

Loughgall Youth U12: Charlie Kerr, Darrell Matuku, Blake McCullough, Cody Greszta, Leah Heapburn, Pacey Drake, Noah McGladdery, Timur Myronov, Corey Cunningham, Jack Crealey, Daniel Farrell, Harry Brown, Jay Irvine, Johnny Woods.

Referee: Brooklyn McIlroy