Coagh earn local bragging rights

A MINUTES silence was held at the start of the match for Killymoon Honorary Vice President Mr. Norman Murphy. Ex Coagh Committee man Mr. Sydney Purvis who was involved with both clubs and Ex Coagh forward Wayne Brown.

Wayne along with his father Colin, who also managed the Hagan Park side, died suddenly and was laid rest on Sunday. To all families, Coagh United send their heartfelt sympathy.

The biggest crowd of the season verged on Hagan Park for this much anticipated derby match. This was Brian Megarry’s first return to Hagan Park as a Manager. The ex Coagh forward brought Killymoon to Coagh full of confidence following a superb win over Ballymoney.

Killymoon started the match in full flow, closing Coagh down at every opportunity and had Coagh on the rack for large parts of the first half. William Montgomery had a great chance on 20 minutes but shot weakly at Yorke after breaking clear of the Coagh defence. Two minutes later Killymoon had a penalty appeal turned down after Kelly went down under a Thornton challenge but the well positioned assistant referee said no. The visitors continued to entertain with flowing football while it was noticeable that the lack of football for the last three weeks showed as Coagh struggled to get any rhythm into their game.

On twenty five minutes Montgomery again broke clear and forced Yorke into a diving one handed save. As the half worked to a close Coagh missed chances through Clarke and Gillespie while Kevin Kelly missed from a free kick as the visitors again pressurised the home defence. Half Time 0-0

After a shaky first half Coagh looked more composed and had Jason Gillespie’s header cleared. Gillespie again was unlucky to have a header deflected wide as Coagh took control of the game.

Coagh forced another corner moments later and after a bit of pin ball Killymoon finally cleared the ball off the line from Gillespie’s shot.

On 64 minutes Coagh finally made the break through. A trade mark cross from Scott McGeown was headed powerfully into the net by Jason Gillespie. In control, Coagh continued to force the play with Campbell missing a great opportunity to increase the score.

Marcus Dallas sent Campbell clear with a trademark pass but the young forward shot tamely and it was an easy take for Brown in the Killymoon goal. Coagh brought on Scott for Clarke and Johnny Black for Campbell.

As for Coagh in the first half the visitors chances were few and far between but after a corner which Coagh again got clear Killymoon possibly missed their best chance of the match. From a Killymoon free kick Daryl Shannon nipped in behind the Coagh defence but somehow shot over from six yards.

As the game moved into injury time Coagh got a second. Another flowing move out of midfield saw Johnny Black run clear to slide the ball past Michael Brown to seal the match in the 90+3 minutes. The Killymoon players surrounded the assistant as there may have been a hint of off-side but the goal stood as Coagh bagged another three points to stay top.

This week Coagh entertain Glentoran Res in the Intermediate Cup. Kick off at Hagan Park is 1-30pm.

Coagh Utd: Johnny Yorke, Scott McGeown, James Ferguson, David Calderwood, Aaron Thornton, Colin Donaldson, Marcus Dallas, Steven Park, Glen Clarke, (Mark Scott) Aaron Campbell, (Johnny Black) Jason Gillespie, Steven Glasgow, Mark Taylor, Graham McKenzie GK.

Killymoon Rangers: Michael Brown, John Scott, Stephen Purvis, Stephen McElhatton David McMullan, Gary Crooks, Daryl Shannon, Garth McGaw, William Montgomery, Kevin Kelly, Jonathan Young, Cameron Stewart, Jason Ferry, William Ferguson, Craig Martin, Garth McElhatton GK.

Referee Mr C Rainey.