Single goal sees Coagh battle through

Banbridge Rangers 0

COAGH made hard work for themselves against a well organised and resilient Banbridge Rangers side that worked hard and never gave up. Coagh forwards missed a host of chances before substitute Aaron Campbell came up with the goods on seventy nine minutes.

Banbridge came to Coagh on a mission and their large travelling support armed with base drummer got behind their side from the start. Man of the match, Neil Clydesdale shot just wide from the kick off but it was the home side who should have had the match out of reach in the first five minutes.

Coagh’s Jason Gillespie rattled the cross bar after one minute and a minute later Glenn Clarke broke clear but with only the keeper to beat he shot wide. The home side lost possession in the middle of the park but Anderson and Calderwood combined when it was five against three to clear the danger .Coagh upped the pace with Gillespie shooting wide from McGeown cross.

The visitors forced their first corner on the break which saw Colin Cousins blast over from a Neill Clydesdale kick. William Frazer had a chance before the play again moved back in Coagh’s favour. Jason Gillespie ran out Scott McGeown’s excellent ball and moments later Gillespie became the provider for Clarke to shoot over. As the half started to close in Coagh’s Steven Park shot wide while his Keeper Johnny Yorke carefully handled Peter Dean’s thunderbolt shot.

After a thrilling first half both teams were probably wondering where the goal was going to come from. The first period was dominated by the visitors. Neill Clydesdale, Mark Wilton and Sub Peter Dean all missed good chances.

Coagh keeper turned round a Wilton long range shot and then saved well at Jason Gourley’s feet. Coagh saw movement off the bench, on came Mark Scott for James Ferguson. Aaron Campbell and Johnny Black followed soon after as Coagh moved to freshen things up.

On 69 minutes Campbell crossed for Scott but he missed the target. Colin Donaldson, and Steven Park combined for Campbell but he shot wide.

Finally Coagh’s pressure paid off. On the break Scott McGeown crossed for Campbell to run on and score. From the restart Johnny Yorke turned round Neill Clydesdale’s long range effort. John McCahon could have been the Banbridge hero but completely messed up Clydesdale’s cross.

Near the end, Coagh’s. Johnny Black missed bagging a possible quick fire hat trick. From Campbell’s cross, Black just could not get the ball from under his feet. Ian Blevins saved his good effort and moments later the Coagh forward had no luck shooting wide from a good position. In the end Coagh had done enough to get into the hat on Wednesday when the big boys enter the fray.

This Saturday Coagh have no fixture but Coagh Res entertain Rathfriland Swifts in the Cup. Kick off Coagh Sports Centre 1:30pm

Coagh United FC: 1. Johnny Yorke 2. Scott McGeown 3. James Ferguson (15. Mark Scott) 4. David Calderwood 5. Barry Anderson 6. Steven Park 7. Aaron Thornton 8. Colin Donaldson 9. Jason Gillespie (16. Aaron Campbell) 10. Marcus Dallas 11. Glen Clarke (12. Johnny Black) 14. Mark Taylor.

Banbridge Rangers: 1. Ivan Blevins 2. Ryan McMinn 3. Aaron Buchannan 4. Ryan Greg 5. Chris Chambers 6. Colin Cousins 7. Neill Clydesdale 8. Mark Wilton 9. Chris McGladdery 10. Jason Gourley 11. William Frazer.

Subs: 12. Robert Beard 14. John McCahon 15. Aaron Chambers 16. Peter Dean 17. Ryan Weir

Referee: Mr. Colin Rainey, Randalstown Referee Assistant Mr C Budd, Lisburn and Mr P Robinson, Killyman