Football: Coagh United lose out to Harryville

New Coagh manager Ian Todd got his Coagh side up and running with a home match against Irish Junior Cup winners Harryville Homers.

This match started with a minute silence in the memory of Victor Wylie, grandfather of our player Mathew Sloan. Coagh United pass on their deepest sympathy to Mathew, Sharon and the whole family circle.

Coagh paraded four new signing for this match but Barry Anderson and David Dunlop sat this one out after pulling up in training.

Manager Ian Todd was taking no chances on his players but was glad to welcome Rory Quinn and Josh and Rohdich to the Coagh line up.

The home side started on the back foot as the visitors pushed for the opener with Jodie Craig and former Coagh player Marcus Spratt going close early on.

Coagh crept back into the game with Rohdich and Kempton bringing the best out of Lee McGavock.

Harryville took the lead on 20 minutes, Jodie Craig supplied the cross but a wicket deflection of Stephen Glasgow saw the ball fly into the net.

The home side again pushed after the restart with Henaghan shooting just wide. Coagh again were unlucky after forcing more corners with Taylor, Holmes and Ferry all having shots saved.

Just before the break the visitors struck again, looking just offside Jason McKay slipped past the Coagh back line to score past Maguire.

Coagh looked more positive in the second half making numerous changes off the bench. Last season’s youth team players Mattie Wensley, Sam Taylor and Reece McWhirter got a bit of first team action and settled quickly into the match.

The home side pressure paid off on the hour mark a classy move ended with new signing Rohdich bagging his first for his new club.

Coagh pushed hard for the equaliser and looked to have a chance from the spot after Rohdich was upended in the box but the referee said no and the chance was lost.

The last 15 minutes saw both teams play good end to end football with both keepers being kept busy. After the match both managers were happy with the work out.

Coagh Reserves when down 2-0 in the first half to St Marys but a positive second half performance form the Coagh development squad produced everything only a goal.

Another very positive start for new reserve team managers Aaron Thornton and Andrew Creighton’s team who will be back in action on Saturday.

This Saturday, 25th July, Belfast team Orangefield will bring two teams to Coagh to play both the firsts and reserves. Kick off for both matches, 2.30pm.