LAKEWOOD are through to the last 16 of the U-14 Goodson Cup after a hard working 2-1 victory over a solid Cootehill outfit in a cold and frosty Cavan on Sunday last. Both teams struggled to make an impact early on the game but Lakewood created a few half chances with Dylan Quinn out-pacing the Cootehill defenders.

Lakewood eventually settled in and began to create chances with some excellent football. Stephen Wallace and Daniel Kibirigie were getting a lot of joy on the flanks but Cootehill were tenacious and didn't let the ball get into the box.

There were a few half chances for either team towards the end of the half, most notably skipper Darragh Lucey's long range effort, after some good link up play, was excellently saved, but it ended scoreless at half time.

Lakewood came out all guns blazing in the second half and deservedly took the lead four minutes after the restart. After a flowing attacking move Stephen Wallace put a great cross into the box and tireless winger Daniel Kibirigie got on the end of it to put Lakewood 1-0 up.

Soon after, due to Paul Foley's strength and determination after winning the ball inside his own half, he managed to play Darragh Lucey through, while being fouled, and the skipper swept home in the 45th minute to double the lead.

However, Lakewood never settled after they went into the lead and were punished by the resilient Cootehill. After a great corner their centre forward volleyed home to put the pressure on with 20 minutes to go.

Lakewood then worked tirelessly but were under the cosh for much of the remaining minutes. Dangerous from set-pieces, Cootehill were given a lot of soft frees and there was a real scare with 10 minutes remaining. Again from a delivery, the ball bobbled around the goalmouth but Paul Foley and keeper Conor Buckley, who again was superb between the sticks, just managed to clear as the ball looked destined for the net.

In the end Lakewood held out for a huge win with some outstanding individual performances.