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United left to rue chances

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Christopher Wilkinson in possession for Ballymoney against Coagh United.

Coagh United....................................2
Ballymoney United.............................1

BALLYMONEY United were left to rue missed chances as they disappointingly exited the Coca-Cola Intermediate Cup fourth round to Coagh United on Saturday at Hagan Park.
Paul Gaston's side were the better team throughout the 90 minutes and only for Coagh United goalkeeper Johnny Yorke, Ballymoney would have dumped Championship Two league leaders out inflicted a first defeat in eight games.
But as it was, the home side took their chances, going 1-0 ahead on 50 minutes before snatching a late assurance goal, with substitute Neill Fleming's 91st minute goal for Ballymoney a mere consolation.
Both sides lost players in the first half, a challenge on Glenn Clarke saw him stretchered off in the first minute while Ballymoney goalkeeper Bryan Moore had to give in to a back injury late into the first half.
Ballymoney out-played the village side but a brilliant performance from Coagh's goalie Johnny Yorke stopped Paul Gaston's side from progressing. In the end it was all about goals and when Coagh finally settled and stepped up to the plate with Scott and Campbell converting to take the tie.
Ballymoney started the match forcing an early corner but from the clearance Glenn Clarke was caught from behind as Coagh broke and the unlucky player had to be stretchered off.
The visitors continued to pepper the Coagh back line of McGeown, Anderson, Ferguson and Thornton and if they were not clearing their lines, Johnny Yorke was making the save.
James Ferguson came to Yorke's rescue, clearing from Liam Kearney and the same player was stopped moments later when Yorke got down well to clear his shot. Near the end of the half Aaron Campbell and Johnny Black squandered half chances.
At the whistle a back injury became too much for the Ballymoney shotstopper Bryan Moore. Moore had received two bouts of treatment during the first half but just could not continue. Paul Keane replaced Moore between the sticks while Gavin Gilmore came into the midfield to replace Keane.
Coagh looked stronger in the second period and got the opener on 50 minutes, a simple cross from Scott McGeown was headed off the post by Mark Scott. Ballymoney had no luck in front of goal and three misses by Benny Megarry summed it up. The first Megarry shot wide in front of an open goal and moments later the same player could only watch as Ferguson got back to clear after the Ballymoney player's goal bound shot. In a final run on goal the number 17 shot again wide off the target after finding yet another way past Yorke. Riding their luck Coagh finished off the match with another goal. Ferguson and Scott combined for Campbell to supply the finish
In the 91st Neill Fleming got the ball in the net but it was all too late for the Ballymoney side.

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