Milford United 2
Lagan Harps 3
Lagan Harps sealed the Finn Travel Saturday Division 3 title on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a superb win away to Milford United at Moyle View Park.
Milford United hit the front early on through Conor Meakin however, three goals on the spin courtesy of Damien McFadden (2) and Matthew Doran left the visitors with a two-goal cushion.
The home side pulled one back midway through Act Two following a Kyle Black free-kick but the Lagan outfit held on to secure the league title.
The hosts began this encounter on the front foot and it didn’t take them long to take the lead.
Mark MacCleary swung in a brilliant cross from the right-hand side which found Conor Meakin who headed the ball home via the post to put his side a goal to the good.
Milford United continued their early momentum and had an opportunity to double their advantage when Corey Lee McConigley cut inside and let fly from the edge of the box but his effort went just over the bar.
The visitors rallied back from the early setback and managed to draw level just after the half hour mark.
Darren McElwaine played the ball out wide to Matthew Doran who cut inside his man before curling the ball superbly into the top corner of the net.
This goal appeared to give Lagan Harps a boost as they found their second of the afternoon just three minutes later.
A delivery into the box broke to Matthew Doran who played the ball into the path of Damien McFadden who rifled it into the roof of the Milford United net.
The away side had an opportunity to extend their advantage prior to the short whistle.
A free-kick from Ross Hamlyn was fisted clear by Declan Jordan but only into the path of Seamus Cullen who couldn’t keep his volleyed attempt down, leaving them with the slender cushion at the break.
Six minutes after the restart, Lagan Harps did manage to increase their lead courtesy of a third goal.
A cross from Darren McElwaine was met by Jack Duncan who wasn’t able to make sufficient contact with the ball but it broke into the path of Damien McFadden who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Milford United continued to battle in this encounter and with 20 minutes left on the clock, they were handed a lifeline in the form of a second goal.
After being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, Kyle Black stood over the ball and fired it over the wall and into the top corner to leave them just a goal adrift.
The away outfit responded well by creating some chances of their own to restore their two-goal cushion, with opportunities at goal arriving to Darren McElwaine and Faolan Gibson but their efforts went just wide off the mark.
The Milford men pushed in pursuit of a late equaliser and had one last chance late on through a Kyle Black free-kick.
However, this time his shot was safely gathered by Lagan Harps goalkeeper, Kai Brown, which helped to get them over the line on this brilliant afternoon for the club.
Milford United: Declan Jordan; Mark MacCleary, Dhahi Rayes, Ryan McElhinney, Ultan Blaney; Flynn Nash, Killian McBride, Alec McConigley, Corey Lee McConigley; Conor Meakin, Kyle Black. Subs: George McNulty for Meakin (36 mins), Dagm O’Connell and Niall Murray for MacCleary and Alec McConigley (half-time), Kieran Sheridan for McElhinney (81 mins).
Lagan Harps: Kai Brown; Cormac Crossan, Glenn Gallagher, Travis Crawford, Seamus Cullen; Damien McFadden, Matthew Doran, Ross Hamlyn, Jack Duncan; Darren McElwaine, Faolan Gibson. Subs: Aidan Devir for Hamlyn (54 mins), Robby Dolan for McFadden (73 mins).
Referee: Ryan Carlin.