Strabane Sigersons.............3-10

Augher St Macartan's...........1-7

Strabane Sigersons had Augher St Macartan's as visitors to Páirc Mhic Sioghair last Sunday in the Tyrone All County League Division 3 and recorded an excellent win as a result of a great team display powered by a devastating first half performance.

This was a second home win for Strabane and it was very welcome given that the opposition are one of the top sides in this league and also the fact that they will be opponents for Strabane in the Tyrone Junior Championship later in the season.

Prior to the game commencing, a minutes silence was held as a mark of respect to the late Michelle Corry, Castlederg who was a sister of Strabane joint team manager Dermot Corry.

Strabane went into this game without key players such as Eamon McGowan, Mickey McDaid, Ciarán Friel and Danny McBride. However, those who stepped in to replace the absent players performed admirably, with corner back Aaron McLaughlin having a great game as did a number of other young players such as Gerard McCrossan and Aodhán Stewart who mixed excellently with experienced campaigners such as Richard O'Neill, Sean Barkley, Brendan McLaughlin, Anthony McMenamin and the very impressive Martin McNulty.

Augher opened the scoring in the game with a point from play and this proved to be the only time in the game that they held a lead.

Strabane responded with a fine point via Niall Conwell and Warner Mullen weighed in with two excellent points from play.

With approximately ten minutes played, Strabane hit the first of their three goals when Warner Mullen sent an excellent pass in to John McLaughlin and he made no mistake in finding the Augher net.

Warner Mullen then added his third point from play before the visitors responded with a score from a free kick.

Strabane were in total control right around the pitch and hit the next score via Brendan McLaughlin, who sent over a long range free kick from out on the sideline.

The same player then truly made his mark on the game with two well struck goals, the first came as a result of a quick free kick taken by John McLaughlin and the second came courtesy of his young nephew Aaron McLaughlin who set him up to blast the ball to the visitors net.

Brendan McLaughlin was unlucky not to have hit a third goal shortly after but a fine save by the Augher keeper denied him although John McLaughlin tapped the rebound over the bar for a point.

In between the McLaughlin goals, Augher were denied a goal of their own when Strabane keeper James O'Reilly pulled off a fine save.

Augher finished the half with a point from play to go in at the break twelve points adrift with Strabane in superior form and Augher totally dejected following what for them was an abysmal first thirty minutes.

The teams went in at half time with the scoreline Strabane 3-6, Augher 0-3.

The start of the second half saw Strabane increase their lead with Warner Mullen sending over a good point from play. Augher replied with a similar strike and were then awarded a penalty which Strabane keeper James O'Reilly saved excellently.

Chris Devine, just on as a substitute, then added a point from play for Strabane before Augher hit their best spell of the game.

They fired over a point from play and were then awarded a second penalty which they converted on this occasion, they added a further two points, one from a free kick and one from play.

However, that was all they could muster as Strabane held firm with the defence in excellent form and the midfield sector totally dominant against the visitors.

Richard O'Neill and Gerard McCrossan were in fine form at midfield for Strabane but with Martin McNulty playing in a roving role he made his presence felt throughout the pitch.

Strabane hit the final two scores of the game with the impressive Warner Mullen sending over two points, one from play and one from a free to seal a fine personal display and a deserved win for Sigersons against one of the better teams in this league.

Strabane will have been very pleased with this performance as it was a fine team display with each and every player contributing to the win. From James O'Reilly in goals right through to the four substitutes used, each and every one of them can be proud of their efforts.

The blend of youth and experience was very evident and they worked well together, especially in a dominant first half during when Augher simply had no answer for a rampant Strabane side.

Strabane make the long journey to play Derrytresk this Sunday hoping for a similar display and while they will be confident of getting a favourable result they will take nothing for granted.

team and scorers

Strabane: James O'Reilly, Aaron McLaughlin, Anthony McMenamin, Ciarán O'Kane, Sean Barkley, Stephen Stewart, Ryan O'Kane, Gerard McCrossan and Richard O'Neill, Niall Conwell, Warner Mullen (0-6), Aodhán Stewart, Brendan McLaughlin (2-1), Martin McNulty, John McLaughlin (1-1).

Substitutes: Chris Devine (0-1) for Aodhán Stewart, Gerard Murray for Niall Conwell, Danny McBride for Aaron McLaughlin, Eoin Kerr for Stephen Stewart.

Referee: John Kerlin, (Clann na nGael).