Football: Coagh United’s struggles continue

Lady luck continued to evade Coagh on Saturday as they were beaten by an Annagh side that had five former Coagh United players in their side.
Coagh's Glen Clarke on the break during Saturday's league clash with Annagh Utd at Hagan Park.INMM0815-384Coagh's Glen Clarke on the break during Saturday's league clash with Annagh Utd at Hagan Park.INMM0815-384
Coagh's Glen Clarke on the break during Saturday's league clash with Annagh Utd at Hagan Park.INMM0815-384

A patched up Coagh side never troubled the Portadown side but had two cleared off the line and had no luck after Mattie Kempton’s thundering shot hit the upright and bounced clear.

Coagh started without Mark Taylor, Dermot McGuckin, Ryan Smith and the suspended duo of Scott McGeown and Ian Todd.

Glen Clarke made his first start after his move back from Loughgall while the injured Stephen Glasgow and Mathew Kempton returned to the squad.

Coagh Utd's Terrence O'Brien battles for the ball during Saturday's league clash with Annagh Utd at Hagan Park.INMM0815-383Coagh Utd's Terrence O'Brien battles for the ball during Saturday's league clash with Annagh Utd at Hagan Park.INMM0815-383
Coagh Utd's Terrence O'Brien battles for the ball during Saturday's league clash with Annagh Utd at Hagan Park.INMM0815-383

Manager Andy Smith put himself on the bench along with youth team players Reese McWhirter and Aaron Reid. Both young players made their first team debut in the second half.

There were no complaints on the excellent playing surface at Hagan Park and Annagh got off the mark after 42 seconds.

Former Coagh forward Scott McCordick picked Aaron Thornton’s pocket to run clear and feed Shea Campbell for an easy opener.

Francis McCann in-swinging corner saw Hassan punch clear from the Coagh goal.

Glen Clarke forced two corners for Coagh but the resulting corner kicks from Ferguson gave Fox in the visitor’s goal little trouble.

Scott McCordick continued to cause havoc at the other end and rattled the Coagh crossbar and moments later Campbell headed just over from McCordick’s free kick.

Coagh’s first real chance came after 25 minutes but Jason Ferry’s header went well over the crossbar.

McCordick conjured up another free kick on the edge of the Coagh 18 yard line but Stephen‘s free kick went just over the bar.

Annagh pressed hard for their second, McCordick shot was deflected wide by Jonathan Young while Hassan made another good save from Shea Campbell.

The home side had little to offer in the first half with Ciaran Fox not having a goal bound shot to save in the first half.

Annagh pressed hard from the kick off but it was Coagh who could have had the break through after O’Brien’s ball to Glasgow saw his shot cleared off the line and moments later the same two players’ chance each cleared off the line.

The visitors replied forcing two corners from the second Steven Park volleyed home from the edge of the box. There was no celebration form the former Coagh player who had a successful time at the Hagan Park club.

Coagh replaced the injured Stuart Forrest with Mattie Kempton.

He was quickly into action and rattled the visitors up right from 30 yards. A handbag confrontation saw both Kempton and Francis McCann booked.

Moments later McCann’s anger spilled over and he got a straight red for his trouble. William Hassan will be kicking himself after Annagh’s third.

The Coagh stopper was well on target for getting to and clearing the ball from outside his area but changed his mind midway allowing the advancing Campbell an easy shot on goal.

Three down Smith gave debuts to both Reese McWhirter and Aaron Reid, although both players had little playing time neither looked out of place at the higher level.

This week Coagh travel to League Leaders Lurgan Celtic. The suspended duo of Scott McKeown and Ian Todd should return while physio Clive Topley will have a busy week trying to get Coagh’s long list of walking wounded back on the pitch. Saturday’s kick off is 3pm.

Coagh United; William Hassan, Aaron Thornton, Steven Glasgow (Aaron Reid), James Ferguson, Mark Taylor. Jonathan Young, Sean Heneghan, Jason Ferry Thai Blevins, Stuart Forrest, (Matthew Kempton) Glenn Clarke, Terrance O’Brien (Reese McWhirter), Gareth Maguire Andy Smith.

Annagh United; Ciaran Fox, Jordan Bell, Stephen Acheson, Richard Allen (C), Paul Stretton, Francis McCann, Steven Park, Shane Mulgrew, Philip Craig, Shea Campbell, Scott McCordick (Jamie Gardiner), Scott Rea, Jamie Smith.

Referee: Paul Burns. Assistants: Ryan Kelsey, John McClenaghan.

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