Late leveller denies ten-man Coagh

H&W Welders 1

A GOAL from ‘The Welders’, four minutes from time, dented 10 men Coagh’s chances of winning this Championship 1 encounter at Hagan Park.

Coagh produced a battling performance especially in the second half after their keeper Jonny Kempton was dismissed just before half-time but they could not hold on to get what would have been a much needed three points.

Coagh had the early chances of the first half and most of these where made down the right side of the pitch. On five minutes, a Steven Park cross only needed a touch from Glen Clarke or Jason Gillespie but was too strong for both and 10 minutes later, Scott McCordick shot wide after good work from Marcus Dallas and Scott McGeown.

The Welders moved Stephen Garrett to the left of midfield to stop this threat from Coagh on the right and he soon started to supply crosses, one of which was met by Nathan McConnell, who just flicked this shot wide. Soon after this, Cough players McCordick and McGeown worked well to supply Park who then crossed for Jason Gillespie but the striker blasted over the bar.

However, with the game approaching half time, Coagh’s progress took a back step as they conceded a penalty which resulted in them getting their keeper Jonny Kempton sent off. Referee Wallace adjudged that Kempton brought down Garrett in the box after he intercepted a short McGeown back pass. With no substitute keeper on the bench for Coagh, they had to switch things about. Scott McCordick was nominated to be the stand in keeper and he did not let them down saving Craig Harris’s penalty with his legs. Coagh went into half time relieved that things could have been worse but with heart that there was still something in this game.

Coagh changed things at half time bringing on Aaron Campbell for Glen Clarke but it was ‘The Welders’ who had the first chance of the half with Garrett testing McCordick. With 54 minutes on the clock, 10 men Coagh’s fortunes were to change as they were awarded the second penalty of the match.

This time the referee’s assistant flagged as he saw that Park was kicked and then brought down by a H&W Welders defender. Jason Gillespie stepped up and dispatched the penalty hard to the keeper Thompson’s right.

Both teams exchanged chances after the goal. For Coagh, William Beckett cross was just too strong for the oncoming Steven Park, again like the first half a touch could have resulted in something more and for H&W Welders, Garrett, McConnell and Black all had chances to pull one back.

However, on 86 minutes, they did as Stephen Garrett’s cross was met by Mark Wilkinson whose header just beat Scott McCordick in the bottom right corner of the goal.

McCordick played well in goal and Coagh went away believing that they deserved more from this game but with 10 men for the entire second half, a point was creditable.

Before the start of the game, a minutes silence was observed for Trevor Richmond, a Coagh Supporter.

The game was sponsored by The Golden Chip, Moneymore.

Coagh United: Kempton, McGeown, Ferguson, Calderwood, Anderson, Beckett, Park, McCordick, Gillespie, Dallas, Clarke (Campbell 46 (Hunter 77). Sub: Glasgow

Coagh’s next fixtures:

Sat 20th Institute v Coagh 3pm

Sat 27th Carrick v Coagh 3pm at Ballyclare’s ground