Football: Tobermore squeeze past Coagh in season opener

Coagh’s new boss Ian Todd was very disappointed in the way the goal was conceded but took a lot of positives out of his new look Coagh side.

From this fixture last year, Scott McGeown was the only Coagh to start with new signings, Jonathan Rice, Eoghan Quigg, Fintan Kelly all coming into a side that has not fully played one match together until Friday night.

Both sides took time to settle with Coagh having the better of the opening exchanges but a long ball over the top caught Coagh napping with Maurice Curtis running clear to slide the ball past Martin in the home goal.

Shellshocked Coagh upped the pace from the restart and came close through Forrest. Tobermore came roaring back but Scott McGeown headed Lamont’s shot wide. A mistake from Coagh’s Quinn on the left gave the visitors another chance but new boy Rice was on hand to clear the danger.

At the other end Quigg set up Patten but he shot narrowly wide and moments later Quigg hit the side netting as Coagh looked for the equaliser.

Jamie Tomelty was instrumental in Coagh’s build up play, thus becoming a target for Tobermore. Near the end of the half, Tomelty and Patten linked to put Quigg in but he hit the side netting. Coagh and Tobermore made changes at the start of the second half; Stephen Glasgow came on for Ruairi Quinn while Conor Deane replaced Caolan Doherty. Neither team could produce a clear cut chance with the best falling to Curtis but the Coagh keeper made the save.

Coagh brought on the lively wingback Reece McWhirter and his input alongside Tomelty saw Patten tumbled in the box, but the referee was having none of it and waved play on. Scott McGeown’s lovely cross ball saw Quigg again shoot across the goal while substitution Kempton pulled his shot wide of the post.

As the game faded out Tobermore frustrated the home side defending deep and held out to take all three points in the first match of the season.