Tyrone Courier Sport

Wednesday 12th November 2003

Soccer

Arkins Hits Treble Against Swifts
	Tough tackling from Nevin Riches as Dungannon Swifts slumped to defeat against Portadown.
PORTADOWN made it four games without a win for Dungannon Swifts with an inspired performance at a wind-swept Shamrock Park. Swifts, who have had some close battles with their Armagh neighbours in the Mid-Ulster Cup down the years, could not compete with the incisive, deadly finishing from the Ports, who kept their three point lead at the top of the table intact with this exhibition of attacking play. Ronnie McFall, fresh from collecting his manager of the month award for October, watched in delight as his side took the lead from Pat McGibbon’s 15th minute effort, before proceeding to hit another four past a very disappointing Swifts side. But his opposite number, Swifts’ Joe McAree, was less than satisfied with his side’s efforts. “I thought we did very well for 20 minutes and then when we should have been getting a free kick for a foul on Kieran Rafferty, the ball went out for a throw-in and they scored from it. And I thought our heads went down after that. “We defended very poorly, too many people didn’t perform and we went 3-0 down. Then it was a matter of trying to keep the score down. “We came out in the second half and played a little bit better and a few more people started to get their foot in a bit more. “But overall it was a poor performance from the majority of the team. I thought we had only three or four players that performed with any real type of distinction,” added a despondent McAree. “Obviously when you come to Portadown you know what you’re in for - you’re meeting one of the best sides in the country, you’re up against it. “But like at the Oval on the opening day, we’ve come here today and we’ve been overawed by it. We couldn’t handle it. “Today was not good enough. I would take a 5-0 at Portadown provided we’ve 11 players who are playing with 100 per cent determination. But that wasn’t the case. We had too many people who were weak on the day.” Scintillating Portadown sit proudly on top of the Irish League and showed just why they are many people’s tip to dislodge Glentoran’s grip on the Daily Mirror Irish League trophy with a scintillating first half display of attacking football. Despite a promising opening by Swifts, during which Rodney McAree had a 30 yard effort go wide and James Slater had a great half volley effort gathered by David Wells in the Portadown net, the home side wasted little time in asserting their authority. Fifteen minutes in and Portadown’s first real attack of the match led to the opening goal. Dean Fitzgerald released Keith O’Hara on the edge of the Swifts box and Keiran Rafferty was forced to shepherd the ball out for a corner. And Kyle Neill’s brilliant delivery caught Gavin Cushley in the Dungannon net cold and he could only push the ball out straight to the feet of Pat McGibbon who smashed the ball into the top corner for his first of the season. Less than ten minutes later and a mix-up in the Swifts penalty area led to goal number two. After blocking a fierce drive from Michael Collins the ball fell kindly to Neill who set up Vinny Arkins and the league’s top scorer did what he does best and slid the ball past Cushley to double the Ports’ lead. Portadown were making good use of Swifts’ right hand side and Peter McCann’s excellent cross almost caught Cushley out. Lady luck was smiling on the visitors when a great strike from temperamental midfielder Michael Collins dipped just inches over Swifts’ bar. McAree’s side did have a half chance on 37 minutes when Slater’s nifty footwork almost set him free of the Portadown shackles, but Cullen Feeney quickly recovered to clear the danger. Then a charge up the other end from McCann almost made it three, but his disappointing shot went well wide. But the third did come just two minutes before the break. A super ball from Gary Hamilton split Dungannon’s defence and set Peter McCann clear to make it 3-0. Duller The second half was a duller affair with both sides seemingly happy to settle for what they had. Swifts did have a more solid look to their side and almost pulled one back when a Rodney McAree free kick came back to Sean Donnelly who fired a vicious shot right across the Ports’ goal line. They had an even better chance moments later when a free kick from wide on the left found the head of the unmarked James Slater, but his tame header went straight into the arms of David Wells. But Portadown were always on top and a moment of magic gifted Arkins his second and Ports’ fourth of the afternoon. After being awarded a free kick some 25 yards out, Collins rolled the ball to the veteran striker who fired in an unstoppable shot into the Swifts net. Number five came courtesy of a penalty on 76 minutes when Gary Fitzpatrick hauled down Cullen Feeney in the box and up stepped Arkins to seal his hat trick and make the final score 5-0 to Portadown. Disappointing Swifts midfielder Nevin Riches admitted it had been a disappointing performance. Speaking to the Courier, the former Manchester City player said: “In the first half there was not much in it. They had three chances and they scored three goals. “But in the second half their quality told, We tried to stick to our game but they had better quality all around the park. “Everybody knew it was going to be hard coming into this league and we’ve just got to stick together and work hard as a team.” Portadown manager Ronnie McFall admitted their was a big gap between the teams on the day. Speaking after the match, he said: “We passed it well and there was a sharpness about us that they just couldn’t live with. “There is a big gap between the top teams and sides coming up and I think they’ll do reasonably well without challenging the top sides. They’ll not be down at the bottom of the table, that’s for certain. “You have got to walk before you can run and this is their first season up and they’ll be wanting to stabilise themselves and look to build for the future.” Former Scunthorpe player Pat McGibbon said: “For the first 15 or 20 minutes it was a tough game, but once we got the first goal it started to pick up a bit. The defender, who also had spells with Wigan and Tranmere Rovers, added: “But saying that in the second half we didn’t play overly well. The goals came at the right times.” PORTADOWN: Wells, Feeney, O’Hara, McGibbon, Convery, P. McCann, Fitzgerald, Collins, Hamilton, Arkins, Neil. Subs: M. McCann, Lindsay, Clarke. SWIFTS: Cushley, Heffernan, Savage, McLaughlin, G. Fitzpatrick, Rafferty, Slater, McAree, Coney, Riches, Donnelly. Subs: T. Fitzpatrick, Everaldo, Lavery. Referee: Peter Rowntree (Saintfield).

Soccer

Coagh Through to Second Round

COAGH went successfully through to the second round of the intermediate cup.

Leading 1-0 at half time, the home side stepped up a gear in the second half to hammer anothr four goals and wipe away any dreams Warrenpoint had of a cup upset.

Coagh started the match without the suspended Gillespie but welcomed back Stephen Purvis and Clive Topley from injury, and went straight into the attack with Purvis forcing a save after 1 minute.

The visitors who had arrived late causing a 15 minute delay in the kick off soon woke up with O’Hare coming close after 7 minutes.

The game brightened up with some good end to end football with Warrenpoint forcing the first corner of the game after Clarke foiled Trainor’s attack forcing the ball over the line.

From the resulting kick Clarke again was alert clearing the ball out of the danger zone to Purvis, he quickly found Tomilty and with a suberb pass he released Duke down the right wing, with the visitors trailing behind McMemeny made no mistake hamming home Coagh’s first goal from close range.

From the restart Trainor nearly gave Coagh’s young keeper a red face seeing him off his line he tried to lob him from thirty yards but lucky for Stewart he just about made it back to make the save.

From Stewart’s kick out Tomelty fluffed a great chance from a McMemeny cross.

The visitors then had a further loss when Burns had to be carried off through injury he was replaced by Lawless who straight away forced a free kick of Clarke.

Smith hammered the resulting kick of Coagh’s defensive wall and as it deflected towards goal the home side somehow scrambled it away with McMemeny clearing the danger.

With the game again flowing from end to end McMemeny again missed a great chance to put his side further ahead, right in front of goal he somehow shot wide a Topley cross.

With the half fizzling out the visitors missed a couple of opportunities to level the scores but Coagh held on to take a 1-0 advantage to the changing rooms at half time.

Coagh scored their second just after 8 minutes of the second half when Leacock converted. Thornton took the corner kick and Leacock shot was cleverly dummied by McMemeny and into the net.

With the home side now in the driving seat they bombarded the visitors goal with Tomelty Kennedy and Topley all having good chances.

The home side scored their fourth on 66 minutes, Thornton forced his way through and scored with a low and hard shot. Warrenpoint tried to come into the game after this but Coagh’s defence held firm with Leacock, Kennedy and Clarke clearing any danger that came their way.

The home side made three changes bringing on Garth McMemeny for Purvis, Philip Stewart for Topley and Adrian Ferson for Kennedy.

With fresh legs on the homeside were unlucky not to score two more, first Junkin had a shot tipped over by Murphy and the visitors’ keeper made another fine save from a McMemeny lob Coagh finally found a way through on 86 minutes when Duke scored with a near post header.

Coagh’s fifth was masterminded by the McMemeny brothers, Junkin linked up well with mark he interchanged with brother Garth, picking his spot he unleashed an unstoppable volley passed Murphy to seal a fine victory for Coagh.

Coagh would like to thank Joe Hutton Meats for sponsoring the match.

Team: G Stewart, Junkin, Thornton, Kennedy, Clarke, Leacock, Duke, Tomelty, M McMemeny, Topley, Purvis.
Subs: G McMemeny, Ferson and P Stewart.

Its All Football
It’s all football at Coagh with no less than three home matches this week.

First up is the under 12 side who play their very first match in the Coleraine and District youth league against Tobermore Youth.

This side made up of young players from the highly successful Mini Soccer Sessions will KO their first match at the sports centre at 11am.

Next up will be Coagh Swifts playing Banbridge AFC at Hagan Park KO 2.15pm and if you don’t like that you can always go and watch Ards Reserves v Omagh Town Reserves at the Sports Centre at 2.30pm.

Coagh play Loughgall in the semi Final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup at Stangmore Park this Wednesday KO 7.30pm. A repeat of last year’s final which Loughgall won 2-1 these two teams always serve up a feast of football. The winners will play Armagh City in the Boxing Day Final.

Hagan Park Notes
Coagh Managers were happy to see their team back scoring goals, but more importantly we came through injury free.

It was good to see Purvis and Topley both back after a two week lay off and Garth McMemeny coming off the bench to score. Garth who is more used to scoring goals for the Swifts has made the step up and has not looked out of place.

“We have a lot of tough matches coming up in the league and we need a full squad available.”

Coagh Swifts had a fine 2-0 win over Banbridge Thistle on Saturday with Garth McGaw netting both the goals. The Swifts have a home match this Saturday against Banbridge AFC KO 2.15 at Hagan Park.