Football: Tobermore seal draw with Coagh thanks to late penalty

Coagh United 2-2 Tobermore
Tobermore's Stuart Glasgow brings down Coagh's Terence O'Brien during Saturday's local derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-414Tobermore's Stuart Glasgow brings down Coagh's Terence O'Brien during Saturday's local derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-414
Tobermore's Stuart Glasgow brings down Coagh's Terence O'Brien during Saturday's local derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-414

Andy Smith finally got his managerial career going with a derby draw against neighbours Tobermore, but Smith was far from happy.

Tobermore were reduced to ten after Andrew Neill got a second yellow but worse was to follow when Hassan gave away a 90th minute penalty which salvaged a point for the visitors.

Coagh's Mathew Kempton battles for the ball with Tobermore's Ciaran McKenna during Saturday's derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-413Coagh's Mathew Kempton battles for the ball with Tobermore's Ciaran McKenna during Saturday's derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-413
Coagh's Mathew Kempton battles for the ball with Tobermore's Ciaran McKenna during Saturday's derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-413

Last week Coagh’s match was called off and this week Smith had to juggle his side after more than six players became unavailable for various reasons.

Reserve team player Bill Lees came in for his first team debut and he rounded off a solid performance with a goal.

Willie Ferguson finally made it back into the first team after recovering from a pre-season injury, while Jamie Holmes retained his place after impressing against Ballymoney.

The first free kick went to the visitors after three minutes but the home side defended Daryl Magee’s kick with Coagh’s O’Brien running clear to deflect his shot past the oncoming Wells to put the home side in front.

Coagh's Stephen Glasgow is fouled by a Tobermore player during Saturday's derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-411Coagh's Stephen Glasgow is fouled by a Tobermore player during Saturday's derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-411
Coagh's Stephen Glasgow is fouled by a Tobermore player during Saturday's derby clash at Hagan Park.INMM4814-411

The Tobermore stopper was kept busy after the restart, Kempton, Holmes and Willie Ferguson all had shots on and off target as Coagh pushed to extend their early lead.

The visitors replied with Stuart Glasgow forcing a save out of Hassan but they should have levelled when an excellent break involving Magee and Parkhill saw Parkhill’s final shot hitting the side netting.

The high pace continued from both teams as they hunted for goals. Ally Young missed an open goal on the

quarter hour mark.

The visitors had a four-on-three on the break, McKenna’s cross found Young inside the six yard box but ballooned his shot over the bar.

Jamie Holmes had a penalty claim waved away for Coagh before Daryl Magee shot wide for Tobermore.

As the half closed in, Tobermore forced the play but Coagh held on to take in a half time lead after both Ally Young and Daryl Magee missed the target.

The visitors put Coagh on the back foot as they looked to level things up. Stephen Glasgow headed to clear from Parkhill.

William Hassan handled well from Ryan Winton and the same player failed to connect Mark Harkness teasing cross. Coagh looked good on the break forcing a further two corners.

Free kicks and yellow cards followed for both sides as the game hotted up but with Coagh playing deep still held on to their slender lead.

Things got worse for Tobermore; Andy Neill received a second yellow and got his marching orders.

Tobermore’s 10 men worked even harder and they finally got their reward on 80 minutes after Stuart Glasgow shot home from inside the area.

Coagh responded with Kempton shooting wide and moments later Bill Lees fired Coagh ahead with a 35 yard volley.

As the clock moved to the 90 mark, William Hassan misjudged his sliding save taking Glasgow down for a clear penalty. Trevor Parkhill stepped to salvage a point on 91 minutes from the spot.

While we criticise match officials most weeks, we has an excellent performance from the three officials today. Damien Maguire and John and Rhys Donnell added to an exciting end to end derby game.

Next week Coagh travel to Glebe Rangers. Kick off 2pm.

Coagh United: W Hassan, S McGeown, A Thornton, S Logan, S Glasgow, M Kempton, J Ferguson, Bill Lees, William Ferguson, J Holmes (H Batista), T O’Brien, Subs: M Drennan, A Campbell, Mark Taylor.

Tobermore United: Paul Wells, Darryl Magee, Gary Donaldson, Andrew Neill, Dean Stewart, Mark Harkness, Ciaran McKenna (Paul Keane), Stuart Glasgow, Alistair Young, Trevor Parkhill, Ryan Winton. Subs not used: Barry Kelly, Gareth Maguire Sean Heneghan, Connor Kearns.

Referee; Damien Maguire. Assistants John and Rhys Donnell

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