Football: Victory for Coagh Reserves in the Junior Cup

Connor 1

(Coagh win 4-2 on penalties)

Coagh entertained Ballymena Saturday morning league side Connor in what turned out to be a tightly contested game.

Coagh struggled in the early exchanges as the visitors looked the more lively.

Although long ranges shots where as close as either side got, Connor on a few occasions and Coagh’s best chance, a shot from Stewart coming back of the crossbar.

But on 41minutes it was the visitors that took the lead, a mistake in defence allowed the Connor striker a free run and shot at goal, leaving McKenzie no chance.

In the second period Coagh knew they had to improve to get back in this tie, and looked the more determined from the restart.

Looking the more dangerous Coagh drew level on 61mins, Johnson did well before playing in Watson who shot across the keeper inside the far post for 1-1.

On 65 minutes Coagh changed thier shape by introducing Wensley for Johnson and Gareth Ramsey for Graham.

This looked to give the home side a lift as they finished the game the stronger, and could have snatched it at the death.

Holmes cross was hooked across goal by Creighton, only for the ball to bounce across the goal line just out of the reach of Watson. Full time 1-1.

Both sides looked tired as the game entered extra time, but the home side where making more of the running.

Chances fell to both Holmes and Creighton, but it was the visitors who could have won it only for a great save from the in-form McKenzie.

As time ran out penalties decided it, Coagh made no mistake from the spot with Holmes, Drennan and Watson scoring as McKensie saved the first, and one hitting the post of Connor’s first four.

Hogshaw stepped forward to convert and put Coagh through to the next round.

Next week Coagh travel to play Sandy Hill in the Mid Ulster Shield, 1.30pm kick-off.

Team: Graeme McKenzie, Timmy Graham, Stefan Hogshaw, Mark Drennan, Ricky Ferson (C), Willy Watson, Willy Ferguson, Marc Stewart, Andrew Creighton, Jonny Johnson, Jamie Holmes

Subs: Gareth Ramsey, Michael Hogshaw, Matty Wensley, Aaron Reid, Andrew Mitchell.