Lagan Harps reignited hopes of a promotion push in Sunday League Two after defeating Letterkenny Rovers 1-0 in brisk conditions at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon.
This was a first league defeat of the season for Rovers who just fell short against a well organised, stubborn and determined Lagan side who maybe feel they should have had put the game to bed long before the only goal of the game from the impressive Kieran Cunningham on 78 minutes.
The opening half was a tame enough affair with no quarter being given by either side in what was a feisty enough encounter and it wasn't until the 35th minute for the first action of note when Cunningham fired just wide.
Cunningham was again to the fore just before the break when he forced a top notch save from Blake Forkan in the home goal before Dean Murrays effort from the rebound was again acrobatically stopped by Forkan before Cunningham blazed over.
Rovers may have been relieved to go in at the interval all square having lacked a killer punch in the opening half and they started the second half more brightly and were unlucky not to have taken the lead on 55 minutes when a well timed through ball from Luke Parke sent Caolan McConnell away and his cross was met by Darragh Morrison whose shot cannoned off the foot of the post.
Morrison then had claims for a penalty waved away by referee George Clinton shortly after when he appeared to have been upended in the box while Lagan all had cause for perplexion when they saw a Damien Nelis goal chalked off for offside after Ross Hamlyns freekick caused some consternation for Forkan in the home goal.
Cunningham then blazed over when well placed on 75 minutes before the games defining moment came on 77 minutes.
Rovers spurned a good chance through substitute Conor O'Donnell who fired high into Lagan Keepers Jason Quinns arms when he looked set to score and just 90 seconds later Lagan were celebrating when Cunningham fired low to the bottom corner for what turned out to be the winner.
Lagans push for a promotion playoff spot gathers some energy while Letterkenny-who achieved promotion last weekend--will aim to get back on the winning trail when hosting Deele Harps next weekend.
Date: Sunday 20th Mar 2022
Time: 1:00pm
Location: Leckview
