Ballynahinch United 0 v 2 Coagh United

INTERMEDIATE CUP 2ND ROUND

United entertained Irish League Championship Division 1 side Coagh United at Millbridge on Saturday before a large crowd, swelled by a big contingent from the County Tyrone village.

The early exchanges were quite even but as the game developed it was United who had the lion share of the play forcing a number of corners and interceptions from the Coagh United keeper.

The midfield of Hunter, Patterson, JJ Carlisle and Stuart McMullan were supplying good quality balls to Cheevers in particular who was causing all sorts of problems however no real scoring opportunities were created although Alan Patterson did cause the Coagh keeper to spill a few balls from crosses. Defensively United were strong with Boal, Hayes, Brashaw and Herron on top of anything that the visitors threw at them however it was obvious that they were going to be dangerous on the break.

Indeed that would be how the opening Coagh goal would come about when a long ball out from their defence fell kindly for their forward and as Hayes went to challenge him he noticed keeper Brian McMullan off his line and he lobbed a delicate shot over his head and into the net.

In the second half United continued to play neat attractive football and shortly after half time it took a superb save from the Coagh keeper to deny Stuart McMullan an equaliser. Soon after Coagh made it 2-0 when an attacking move down the left wing ended with a shot into the net from close range to give McMullan no chance.

United battled on in search of an equaliser and despite maintaining a good share of the play they failed to get on the score sheet. Substitutes Jay Smyth, Scott McKibbin and first team debutant McCauley Foster were introduced during the second half and they maintained the fluidity of the team but they were unable to break down an experienced and well drilled Coagh defence.