McColgan's side go down fighting

University of Coleraine2

NINE men Churchill United lost narrowly to Coleraine University, at Wilton Park, on Saturday.

The first half was pretty quiet throughout with neither side able to create any clear cut chances. It was the away side who were looking to more likely but Dermot Brown in the Churchill goal didn't have to much to do as Coleraine squandered the few opportunities they did create.

When the deadlock was broken it came from a University freekick which didn't look to dangerous but a miss cued clearance was deflected into his own net by Simon Morrow.

There was a little more action in the second half but unfortunately for the home side it resulted in two red cards and another goal for the away side.

Altough Churchill did miss a great chance to level the game just after the restart. Peter Doherty found room for a cross and picked out the run of Paul Gormley who missed the ball completely when any touch would of left the keeper helpless. Early in the half the University doubled thier lead when McCabe failed to clear the danger and was robbed of possesion on the edge of the area and then the striker rounded Brown to slide into the empty net.

Not long after the first of the red cards was issued. A long ball over the top was left by the Churchill back four thinking the striker was off side, but the referee waved play on and Brown brought the striker down just outside the area and being the last man back was sent to the dressing room. With their sub keeper unavailable Gerard Duffy took the gloves. From the resulting free kick the Coleraine side put the ball just wide off the post.

Churchill then missed another glaring chance to get back into the game when Cathal Deery slipped the ball into Gormley who when one on one had his shot saved.

Churchill then lost Paul McColgan when the referee adjusted his foul serious for a red card despite him not making any contact with the other player.

Even with only nine men it was Churchill who then looked the more likely to score with Deery working hard up front and Doherty running at players from midfield. Eventually with five minutes left on the clock Deery forced home another Doherty cross. But they could not find time for another goal to level the game up.

Churchill now face an away trip to Coleraine to face the University side in the League Knock-Out Cup.

The club would also like to invite everyone to a Quiz Night at Brigade Cricket Club on Saturday, March 27 at 8pm. The cost is 5 per player and teams are limited to 4 players, a winners prize plus spot prizes and a light supper will be provided.