Football: Moyola Park get the better of Coagh United

Chris Dowie was among the goals for Moyola on Saturday

After a spirited display against Premiership side Ballymena United in midweek, Moyola manager Mervyn Pattison was hoping that his side would continue that spirited effort into this game against their local rivals.

Coagh United were looking for their first points of the season following a disappointing start.

The game started at a high tempo with both sides looking to dominate from the start. The first half chance fell to Tomelty in the fifth minute but he shot straight at Farniok in the Moyola goals.

Then in the 8th minute, Daniel McIlhattan took advantage of a mistake by the Coagh United goalkeeper to make it 1-0 to Moyola Park.

Moyola almost doubled the lead four minutes later when Gray just shot narrowly wide. Moyola began to dominate and on 16 minutes a terrific pass by Gray found McIlhattan who fired into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 to Moyola Park.

Coagh United almost pulled one back in the 35th minute when Forrest found Kelly, but Farniok pulled off a fine save to ensure that Moyola Park led 2-0 at the interval.

The second half began with the same tempo as the first half. Coagh United began to push on in search of a goal that would bring them back into the game.

Moyola almost added to their lead in the 52nd minute when Gray burst through and his effort produced a great save from Martin in the Coagh United goals.

A great free kick from Gillespie just whizzed past Farniok`s post in the 69th minute.

Moyola finally added the killer third goal in the 77th minute when a great through ball from Magill found Dowie and the Moyola centre forward calmly rounded Martin to make it 3-0 to Moyola Park. McAllister saw red for Moyola in the 81st minute for a second bookable offence leaving Moyola to finish the game with ten men.

A half chance fell to Rohdich in the 87th minute, but his shot was well saved by Farniok. Waddell should have added a fourth for Moyola in stoppage time but he missed the target with only the keeper to beat.

Moyola Park- Farniok, McCallister, Harris, McQuillan, Kelly, Black, Gallacher, McIlhattan, Dowie, Gray, Magill. Subs: Maguire, Waddell, Bradley, McNamnee, Paul.

Coagh United– Martin, Quinn, Young, Neill, Heneghan, Kelly, McMaster, Quigg, Tomelty, Gillespie, Forrest. Subs: Rohdich, Barrow, Anderson, Patton, Ferry.

Referee– Declan Hassan. Assistants– Gary Ewing, Richard Scott.