Swifts take fizz out of Coagh
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Coagh United 1. Rathfriland Swifts 1.
RATHFRILAND Swifts made the long journey to Coagh United Reserves on Saturday and after their best performance of the season came away with a well deserved point in a great game on a carpet of a pitch at the County Tyrone venue.
Rathfriland were at this game right from the start and never dropped their guard throughout the game, with great performances right throughout the team.
Coagh, though, had the best chances early on and were close to taking the lead in the fifth minute but Derek Curran pulled off a great save to keep the scores level.
Joe Toal went close for the Swifts but the home side took the lead on the 15 minute mark when the No 11s long range effort seemed to swivel in flight and deceive Curran and hit the back of the net.
Coagh then had three great chances in quick succession but a combination of great defending by the backline of Brian Magennis, Colum McComish, Alan Murray and Connell Jackson and great goalkeeping by Derek Curran kept the dangerous Coagh side at bay.
Rathfriland pulled a goal back soon after with great ground work by David Gilmore and Ryan Monaghan allowing Miceal Quinn to flick on for Joe Toal to brilliantly slot the ball home for the equaliser.
Niall Fitzpatrick then shot just over on his wrong foot, Connell Jackson also fired over while David Gilmore curled an 18 yard shot inches wide of the post but the half time score remained 1-1.
On the restart Rathfriland actually got better with Joe Toal going agonisingly close early on, followed by a great side foot volley from defender Alan Murray being brilliantly saved by the home keeper.
The Swifts workrate throughout was fantastic with David Gilmore superb in the middle of the pitch, complimenting the hardworking Monaghan and wide players Fitzpatrick and Power.
At the other end Curran again made a couple of superb saves but again Joe Toal and Miceal Quinn brought the best out of the Coagh goalkeeper.
In the end this entertaining game finished all square - Rathfriland were excellent in their attitude, their wokrate and their application to this fixture and fully deserved to come away from second placed team Coagh with a well deserved point and maybe even could have nicked it in the second half.
Line-up - Derek Curran, Brian Magennis, Colum McComish, Alan Murray, Connell Jackson, David Gilmore, Niall Fitzpatrick, Ryan Monaghan, Miceal Quinn, Joe Toal, Conan Power.
Subs - Gary O'Reilly, Daryl O'Reilly
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