Football: Dollinstown get the better of Coagh United

A missed penalty, a fumble by the goalkeeper, an unnecessary sending off and three silly goals conceded has left Coagh back on the bottom of the pile with no points.

For the second week running Coagh are rueing missed chances that would have secured some points for the Hagan Park side but the signs on the field of play suggest Coagh can pull back from this disastrous start to the season.

Coagh pressed the play from the start with Patton, Gillespie, and Kempton forcing a corner after a matter of seconds but three minutes later Coagh were behind after Thompson outpaced Sean Henaghan to score the opener.

A minute later Jamie Tomelty ran clear to set up Jason Gillespie but McPartland made a good block to divert the danger.

Coagh were well on top forcing two more corners with the home keeper making two more good saves from Patton and Kelly.

Gillespie kept the home keeper busy with two more shots but just failed to make the break through.

Dollingstown’s tactic of playing the long ball may be boring to watch and they played it to good effect with Thompson again beating the off side trap with pace but this time Martin made the save.

Coagh’s Jonathan Rice defended well against Glenn Hand as the home side pumped the long balls on top of the Coagh defence and they nearly got a second goal after Ryan Martin fumbled Richard Donaghy’s cross

Coagh continued to play positive football, but Patton and Gillespie just could not get the final touch. The home keeper fumbled Kelly’s shot but luckily for him it spilled wide.

Jason Gillespie came close again with a powerful header and moments later Mattie Kempton skimmed the post from a twenty yard free kick. Near the end of the half Jamie Tomelty got a silly booking that cost him in the second half.

Robin Patton scored but had it ruled just off side and Eoghan Quigg brought an excellent save out of McPartland.

The second half opened with the home keeper saving Tomelty’s shot and seven minutes later Coagh were given a great chance to get back into the game after being awarded a penalty.

The home defender was judged to have handled the ball from a Mattie Kempton shot.

Shane McPartland the home keeper’s tactic of taking as much time as possible before the spot kick was taken worked for him.

This tactic that saw him booked but little did he care after saving Tomelty’s shot to keep his side ahead.

Worse was to come for Coagh, their keeper Ryan Martin fumbled a deep cross allowing Glenn Hand to tap home a simple goal.

After the restart Jamie Tomelty was sent off for a totally unnecessary booking. Down to ten Coagh conceded a third after the home side again broke the off side trap to score.

Coagh’s Manager Ian Todd freshened things up with Taylor, Glasgow and Smith all coming on. Lee Smith made a good start after sitting out most of last season with injury.

The Coagh forward quickly won a free kick on the edge of the box which Jason Gillespie converted off the underside of the crossbar on 92nd minute.

This consolation was all too late for the Hagan Park side who are still looking for their first points of the season.

Dollingstown: Shane McPartland, Chris Colman, Nathan McConnell, Andy King, Neill King, Aaron Moffett, Jake Redpath, Marty Hughes, Richard Donaghy, Glenn Hand, Richard Thompson, Ciaran Rooney, Adam Harrison, Mark Duffy, James Wright, Kris Fletcher.

Coagh United FC: Ryan Martin. Scott McGeown, Jonathan Rice, Sean Henaghan, Jonathan Young, Eoghan Quigg, Fintan Kelly (Stephen Glasgow), Jamie Tomelty, Robin Patton (Lee Smith), Mathew Kempton (Sam Taylor), Jason Gillespie, Barry Anderson.

Referee: L Tavinder.