Football: Coagh Reserves booked their Wilmor Johnson Cup semi-final place

Coagh had no game for four weeks, impressed in the first 45 minutes. From the start the visitors took the game to Rathfriland, dominating the midfield area.

Jamie Holmes found space wide on the left on three occasions but his good delivers into the home penalty area fail to produce any goals.

Coagh’s early pressure paid off when good work from Watson released Creighton wide on the right and a penalty was awarded when a defender handling at the back post from Creighton’s cross.

Stefan Hogshaw stepped up to despatch the penalty to put Coagh one up.

Two minutes later Hogshaw could have had Coagh’s second when he headed a just wide. Coagh were again unlucky on 28 minutes when Johnson broke into the box and squared the ball only to see Holmes effort go over the bar.

Moments later a deep cross from Hogshaw found Creighton only to see his headed effort pushed over by the home keeper.

Rathfriland tried to threatened on the break, but the back three of Ferson, Stewart and Lees where all looking solid.

Coagh deservedly doubled their lead on 36 minutes after good play Bill Lees with an inch perfect pass put veteran Creighton in and he coolly finished Coagh’s second.

The home side desperately tried to get into the game at the start of the second half as the game as the game flowed from end to end.

The visitors looked a little jaded as they struggled to find rhythm allowing the home side to win more possession in the Coagh half.

Coagh continued to look dangerous on the break and could have a second penalty on 64 minutes after Holmes was upended in the box but the referee saw it different and booked the Coagh player for apparently diving.

Coagh did make it 3-0 shortly after. Determined play from Watson forced a corner and Hogshaw got his second when he poked the ball home from close range.

Rathfriland got on the score sheet with 14 minutes to go with a good strike from the edge of the box.

Manager Leacock made a quick tactical change with three substitutions to see the game out. Ramsey, Graham and Steen replaced Holmes, Watson and Creighton.

The home side continued to push but where restricted to long range efforts as Coagh progressed to the semi-finals.

This Saturday 28th February, Coagh are back in league action at home to Annagh Utd with a 2pm kick off at Coagh’s Sports Centre.

Coagh United FC: Jordan Longhurst, Ricky Ferson, Alex Lees, Marc Stewart, Simon Gates, Bill Lee, Stefan Hogshaw, Jamie Holmes, Andrew Creighton, Willy Watson, Jonny Johnson, Gareth Ramsey, Timmy Graham, Jordan Steen, Andrew Mitchell.