Maghera stroll into quarter-final

MAGHERA Strollers booked their place in the last eight of the Matt Morrison Junior Cup after beating a dogged Claudy United on Saturday.

The Strollers got off to the best possible start and were 1-0 up with barely five minutes on the clock. An excellent corner swung in by Mark O'Donnell was met by Caolan McGuckin who volleyed high into the net.

On 16 minutes, Claudy got themselves back on level terms after their striker beat the offside trap and finished with a great strike over Pearse McCallan in the Strollers' goal.

On the half hour mark Claudy scored again to take the lead. A long ball from their defence wasn't dealt with and the Claudy winger finished well with a lob from the edge of the area.

Within 60 seconds the game was level again thanks to a Mark O'Donnell goal after good work from Mark O'Connor in the build up.

Early in the second half the Strollers took the lead after Colm Sargent forced his way into the penalty area and beat the advancing keeper.

For the rest of the half both teams defended well and chances were limited. However, an own goal deep into injury time from the Claudy centre half killed off any chance of a United comeback.