O’Flynn nets debut goal at Coagh

Once again the Waterside men’s pretty passing game in truth isn’t what was required, as Noel Mitchell’s side rolled their sleeves up and battled through out and didn’t let the visitors get in behind them on too many occasions.

To their credit United deserved a share of the spoils, but as for Paul Kee’s side his 4-3-3 formation with experienced duo Stephen Parkhouse and Stephen O’Flynn, who was making his debut, didn’t really work.

In fact if ’Stute want to play both strikers together then they may have to change back to an ‘old fashioned’ 4-4-2 system, with wingers delivering crosses for the big front man.

After being second best in the early stages it was the home side who had a super chance to take the lead when Craig Moore released Steven Lamont, but after breaking the offside trap, the winger’s shot was saved by Michael Doherty.

O’Flynn went close to marking his debut with a goal on 25 minutes, but his curling free-kick from the edge of the box, sailed just wide.

Moments later a tremendous save by William Hassan denied Institute the opening goal, when he superbly tipped over Michael McCrudden’s close range shot.

Just after the half-hour mark O’Flynn went close again but this time his right footed shot was kept out by Hassan, after the home side had failed to clear Aaron Walsh’s initial free-kick.

Right at the start of the second half Walsh’s long range strike was fortunately kept out by Hassan, as the visitors started the second half brightly.

Minutes later O’Flynn missed a gilt edge chance this time the striker’s toe poked effort at the near post flashed just wide, after McCrudden’s cross had created the chance.

Doherty came to his side’s rescue on 52 minutes when on the counter-attack Aaron Campbell’s pass found Lamont, but just like the first half the keeper made a super save to deny the winger.

O’Flynn did score just after the hour mark when he bundled the ball home from close range after a goal mouth scramble.

To their credit Coagh levelled things a minute later this time Lamont got in front of substitute Declan McKeever and calmly turned the ball past an out-rushing Doherty.

’Stute pressed hard for that all important winning goal and in truth they probably should have scored right at the death but Darren McCauley blazed well over after the ball fell kindly to him on the penalty spot.

Coagh United: Hassan, McGeown, Young, Caldwood, Ste Glasgow, Stu Glasgow, Pavk, Campbell (Kempton 80); Moore, Dallas, Lamont.

Institute: Doherty, Crown, P McLaughlin, O’Donnell, C McLaughlin (McKeever 61); McCrudden, Walsh, Varma (Carlin 81); McCauley, O’Flynn, Parkhouse (S Curry 61). Subs: D Curry & Henderson (not used).

Referee: Lee Tavinder (Dungannon).

Cautioned: Stu Glasgow (25).