Five star Coagh see of Moyola challenge

COAGH United recovered from their exit from the Irish Cup with a superb derby win over Moyola Park. Both of the sides are sitting at opposite ends of the table and this impressive victory for Coagh leaves them well placed for promotion. The Mill Meadow men will be hoping to pick up points over the next few weeks to drag themselves away from a relegation dog fight with Killymoon and Chimney Corner.

The away side simply had no answer to the Coagh’s sharp shooters up front but the score line does not do the County Londonderry side justice as they played their part in an entertaining game at Hagan Park.

Coagh were quick off the mark with Aaron Campbell winning a penalty after 2 minutes when Michael McLean bundled the player over in the box. Campbell stepped up but blasted the ball over the bar and the early chance was missed. Four minutes later Campbell made amends after linking with William Beckett to set up Glenn Clarke and the Fivemiletown man made no mistake firing low past Gareth Maguire to open his account.

The visitors came storming back with Crockett just skimming the post, moments later the post again saved Coagh when Johnston’s drive came off the upright. After weathering the storm Coagh broke through the engine room with Dallas and Beckett sending Clarke clear but Whiteside intercepted and forced the corner. From James Ferguson corner the ball seemed to cross the line and then cleared but again in off the unfortunate Lucas into the net.

Beckett again set up Campbell from the restart but the Magherafelt forward missed with a diving header by a whisker. Moyola threw everything at Coagh but were again caught on the break and after Clarke was upended Coagh got a second chance from the spot. This time Johnny Black took responsibility and sent Maguire the wrong way for Coagh’s third.

The writing was on the wall for Mervyn Pattison’s side two minutes later after another flowing move from the Hagan Park side. Aaron Campbell supplied the cross for Clarke to convert his second of the match. Four ahead Coagh cruised the final minutes to the break. Coagh’s goal stopper came into action at the start of the second half, saving first from Crockett and then seeing Hassan’s curling free kick over.

If you had just arrived at the match at this stage you would have thought the visitors were the better side but Coagh regrouped and fired in the final nail. Aaron Campbell finally got on the score sheet slotting in off the post on 63 minutes. All credit to Moyola they never gave up and got a small reward when McIntyre slotted home from the impressive Curtis Hassan cross. Done and dusted Coagh now travel to Ballymoney this Saturday knowing points are a must in the run in. The Ballymoney match starts an away run of six. If Coagh are to challenge for promotion, this away run is very important.

Coagh face a crucial couple of weeks starting with Ballymoney away this Saturday. They then travel to Armagh on Tuesday 20th March with a 7.45pm kick off.

Coagh United: Johnny Yorke, Scott McGeown (Stuart Forrest), Stephen Glasgow, James Ferguson, William Beckett (Mark Scott), Aaron Campbell, Colin Donaldson, Johnny Black, Marcus Dallas (Lee Hunter), Glenn Clarke,

Moyola Park: Gareth Maguire, Robert Lucas, Gareth Stewart, Daniel McElhatton, Adrian Whiteside, Daniel McFadden, Stephen Kelly, Michael McLean, Curtin Hassan, Ian Crockett, James Johnston (Paul McIntyre), Jason Holmes, Stephen Doey, Mervyn Pattison.

Referee – Mr D Loughrey, Limavady