Football: Coagh claim first league win at Portstewart

This win has been coming for weeks for Coagh but the Hagan Park side had to battle all the way to the finish against ten man Portstewart after Ryan Campbell’s dismissal after 20 minutes.

Coagh travel to Queens this weekend looking to build on the last two matches which have given them a draw and a win.

Todd will be hoping that Jamie Tomelty has had a good response to treatment this week after he had to be replaced at the start of the second half.

On the plus side Coagh had fitness coach Chris Gregg assessing the team and he was more than pleased with their progress after his full on training sessions.

Both teams started on fire attacking through the forward channel. The Seahawks David Healy had a shot deflected wide for a corner in the first minute and after Hassan had cleared that danger Lee Forgrave had his free kick cleared by Forrest.

Coagh took control after five minutes after a slick move, started by Henaghan. Jamie Tomelty weaved his magic, slipping past three players to feed McMaster and the Dungannon lad supplied a pinpoint pass for Gillespie to slot home from close range.

The home side battled back forcing a further three free kicks and a corner which saw Hassan handling well from a Healy powerful header.

McMaster and Tomelty continued to link well out of the middle of the park with Tomelty cross to Quigg saw his header deflected wide at the back post.

Andy Neill headed just over from Tomelty’s corner. This game continued to excite with both sides squandering good opening.

Josh Rohdich fired just wide for Coagh, Johnny Young fired over, Quigg and Gillespie missed half chances before the home side pressed the play.

Former Coagh player Craig Moore set up Healey but he shot wide, Murray’s shot was cleared by the hard working Stuart Forrest and Neill and Henaghan formed a solid partnership to play Coagh out of danger as the Seahawks looked for the equaliser.

Coagh finally got the breakthrough, Tomelty broke clear on the right but Campbell committed the foul giving referee Kevin Taggert no opinion but to red card the Portstewart player.

Tomelty dusted himself down to deliver an excellent ball, Gillespie headed to the back post for Quigg but before he could pull the trigger he was pushed off the ball and awarded a penalty.

Jamie Tomelty made no mistake from the spot. Coagh piled on the pressure to the half, Rohdich was unlucky twice in front of goal, and Tomelty had his shot off the line by Dysart.

Jason Gillespie had a header tipped over while McMaster ran into traffic after a sizzling run out of the centre of the park.

The second half started with Rohdich and McMaster having shots saved. The injured Jamie Tomelty was replaced by Daniel McKinless who was making his first appearance after returning from injury.

The local Coagh lad brought out a top drawer save from Madison with his first touch and moments later the same player shot just wide from a Quigg cross.

Coagh having so much of the ball, started to slow the pace and this suited the ten men Ports whose forward worked hard of the long balls.

Andy Neill did well to stop Craig Moore long run while substitution Steven O’Neill brought the best out of Hassan.

Jason Gillespie headed onto the crossbar and the oncoming Rohdich had his shot cleared off the line.

Sean Henaghan made a rare appearance in the opposite half and was unlucky to see his shot deflected wide. Robin Patten replaced Josh Rohdich and Steven Glasgow came on for Stefan McMaster.

In the last ten the home side threw everything at Coagh but the Hagan Park side stood firm to take all three points back to Hagan Park.

This week Coagh travel to Queens for a 3pm start.

Portstewart: Joel Madison, Luke Bradley, Ryan Campbell, John Neill, Dean Murray, Emmet Dysart, Lee Forgrave, David Healy, Craig Moore, Mark McEarns, Matt Hynds. Subs: David McClements, Ryan Wharton, Johnny Stewart, Steven O’Neill.

Coagh United: William Hassan, Scott McGeown, Jonathan Young Sean Henaghan, Andrew Neill, Stuart Forrest, Eoghan Quigg, Jamie Tomelty (Daniel McKinless), Josh Rohdich (Robin Patten), Jason Gillespie, Stefan McMaster (Stephen Glasgow), Mark Taylor.