Cup dream ends for battling United

Coagh United...(1) 4

Park (14); Gillespie (42 & 85); Wallace O.G. (69)

Newbuildings United...(1) 1

Dougherty (16)

NEWBUILDINGS United JJB Sports Irish Cup adventure came to an abrupt end at Coagh United, on Monday afternoon.

Wesley Robinson’s side were in truth beaten by the better side, however if their missing players had have been available for selection then things may have been different.

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The home side took the lead on 14 minutes when Jason Gillespie’s pass caught out the Newbuildings defence and the alert Stephen Park raced clear before guiding the ball home past an out-rushing Connor Thornton.

Credit to the visitors they went straight up the other end and levelled things in spectacular fashion.

A slick passing move ended with Stephen Curry’s flick finding Ricky Lee Dougherty and the club’s leading marksman made no mistake, firing high into the roof of the net from 16 yards.

On 40 minutes Coagh’s Jason Gillespie had a great chance to score but he somehow headed over from close range, after Mark Scott’s inch perfect cross had picked him out.

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Two minutes later the Coagh duo were in the thick of the action again, this time Scott’s right wing corner found Gillespie and the big front man this time rose well and powerfully headed home giving

Thornton no chance.

Coagh started the second half on the front foot and they went close to increasing their lead on 48 minutes when another Scott corner found Gillespie but this time he headed wide.

Just before the hour mark some tremendous goalkeeping by Thornton kept the Waterside men in the tie when diving low kept out Aaron Campbell’s close range powerful downward header.

Stephen Uprichard’s side did increase their lead on 69 minutes when the unfortunate Steven Wallace turned the ball into his own net, after winger Campbell’s shot wasn’t cleared by the visitors.

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Soon after a Paul McIvor header through a ruck of players nearly caught out Johnny York, but the Coagh keeper did well to save.

Thornton came to his side’s rescue twice in quick succession, firstly he kept out Canning’s low drive, then he denied Gillespie.

Newbuildings never threw in the towel and they went close to pulling one back on 79 minutes when Dougherty broke clear, but his left footed shot was superbly tipped over by York.

Coagh added a fourth in controversial circumstances when referee Andrew Davey adjudged that keeper Thornton had brought down substitute Glen Clarke and Gillespie coolly side footed home the resulting spot-kick.

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In the closing stages Newbuildings were reduced to ten men after centre-back Graham Moore was shown a straight red card for dissent.

Coagh United: Johnny York, Scott McGeown, Aaron Thornton, David Calderwood, James Ferguson; Steven Park, Aaron Campbell, Colin Davidson, Jason Gillespie, Marcus Dallas, Mark Scott. Subs: Lee Hunter for M Scott (76); William Black for Campbell (85); Glen Clarke for Park (86); William Black & Graham McKenzie (not used).

Newbuildings United: Conor Thornton, Steven Wallace, Peter Blair, Graham Moore, Wesley Ferguson; Lewis Nicholl, Bryan Scanlon, Paul McIvor, Stephen Curry, Mark Olphert; Ricky-Lee Dougherty. Subs: Christopher Beattie for Olphert (64); Matthew Smith for Nicholl (67); Nathan Robinson for Wallace (80); Grant Buchanan & Thomas Thompson (not used).

Referee: Mr Andrew Davey (Bangor).