Coagh defeated by top of the table Celtic

COAGH United fell to their first defeat in the League against league leaders Lurgan Celtic.

United knew this was going to be a hard fought battle and got an early warning. After sustained pressure the home side went in front when O’Hara scored directly from a free kick after Mackin was brought down following a surging run on twenty five minutes.

Five minutes later Coagh were given a chance from the penalty spot after Lamont was upended. Celtic’s McAreavey was given a straight red but Fox in the home goal saved the defenders blushes when he saved easily from Aaron Campbell’s spot kick. Coagh and Lurgan Celitc squandered chances going into the break as the home side held on to their narrow lead.

The second period saw the home side pressurize Coagh straight from the restart. Coagh were caught out when Celtic’s Ryan chased a long ball out of defence. Johnny Yorke in the Coagh goal only parried Ryan’s shot with the rebound falling to the feet of McCann who slammed the ball home from close range. Job done the home side shut up shop. Coagh got a glimmer of hope when Lamont reduced the arrears with a low drive with 15minutes left on the clock but it was the Hoops day as their ten heroes held on to maintain their 100% start to the season.

With no match next Saturday due to a bye in the Radcliffe Cup, Coagh will have to wait until the 3rd of September before they travel to Dundela in the League.

Donacloney 2-2 Coagh Res. Marshall Cup Round 1 (Donacloney win 7-6 pens)

Coagh Reserves got their season off and running with a hard fought match away to Donacloney. After a scrappy start Coagh went one down after twenty minutes. The Swifts had started to come more into the game and went close after an Andrew Creighton header hit the crossbar eight minutes later.

The equaliser finally came on thirty one minutes when McGuckin converted from inside the box. At the end of the half a lack of concentration from the visitors led to Donacloney retaking the lead a minute before the break.

Coagh improved in the second half and were rewarded when Creighton reacted to score after a Clive Campbell free kick had struck the post. Coagh kept pushing for the winner with the bulk of possession and should have sealed in on eighty eight minutes but somehow the defender cleared off the line. With no further score in extra time it went down to penalties. The home side eventually won the tie in sudden death penalties.

Coagh Reserves next fixture is on Friday 26th Aug away to Loughgall in the newly formed Mid Ulster League Reserve Championship.

Kick off at Lakeview Park 7-30pm.