Colhoun not banking on walking wounded for Tyrone derby clash

By Tommy Nethery

DERGVIEW manager Colin Colhoun isn't banking of having any of his walking wounded available for Saturday's Tyrone derby clash with Coagh United at Drumahoe.

Strapping centre-half Colin Robinson and skipper David Burke are still sidelined having retired injured from the IFA Championship opener against Donegal Celtic although there was better news concerning Gary Dickson and Johnny McCaskie, who were both expected to return to the training paddock this week. Defender Darren Crozier, recently unavailable due to illness in the family, should be back in contention for a place in the coming days.

Dickson was pencilled in for reserve team action on Tuesday night but the new supremo indicated that he wouldn't be rushing anyone back into the cut and thrust of the Championship until he was sure they were ready for it.

"It's encouraging that at least three of the players are on their way back but they will need a couple of games under their belts before they're ready for a return to the rigours of first-team action," said the Derryman.

"Unfortunately Colin Robinson is still struggling while Davy Burke made an unsuccessful attempt to return to training."

Resources have been stretched to the limit during the opening weeks of the season although the cancellation of matches against Loughgall United and Portadown, postponed as a result of Saturday's washout, could prove to be a blessing in disguise as Colhoun and his backroom team work hard to build a competitive squad over the coming weeks and months.

The Lecky brothers, Adam and Mark and John Montgomery have returned from holidays and in recent days international clearance has been secured for John Carlin, Aiden Lynch is now available while former Milk Cup player Darren Gamble is likely to come into contention.

Ex-Wolves trainee, Thomas Bonner appears to have made an impression since his arrival at Darragh Park last week, giving the management team of Colhoun and Canning reason to be optimistic that in the not to distant future there will be real competition for places.

Colhoun though is looking no further ahead than Saturday and the visit of Coagh United to the Riverside.

"I'm expecting a good contest. It's a game both teams will probably feel they can win and if either want to make any impression it's a game both should be targeting to win.

"Coagh have made a good start apart from the opening defeat to Ballymoney United, who by all accounts are an excellent footballing side.

"Things are extremely difficult for us at the minute but hopefully as players filter back the competition for places will increase and that can only be a good thing."

Youth in Bristol

While Colhoun and company have been making preparations for the weekend, the clubs's youth set-up, under the guidance of Gary Mortland, Stephen Clarke and Stephen Catterson, was in England playing youth teams from Bristol City, Torquay United and Bristol Rovers.

On Monday the visitors were no match for the City boys but on Tuesday they produced a superb performance to defeat Torquay 2-1 thanks to goals from Dale Maxwell and Denver Lecky.

Positives for Rangers despite defeat to Loughgall United

Loughgall UNITED...........................................................3

THE synthetic surface at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena proved its worth last Saturday as it staged one of the very few football matches in Northern Ireland, despite the torrential rain that fell throughout the day.

Killymoon knew they had a battle on their hands as they welcomed the all conquering Loughgall team to Cookstown, who won five trophies last season. With William Montgomery, Martin Bogan and Conall Kilpatrick all missing, Killymoon gave a debut start to former Cookstown Youth player Andrew Neill.

Loughgall started off strong, despite playing against the wind and soon pushed Killymoon back and looked the most likely to break the deadlock, however the first clear cut opportunity fell to the home side against the run of play.

A ball into the visitors' penalty area was flicked on by Brian Mulligan and it fell to Warren Smith who struck a powerful shot, but his effort was blocked in front of goal and cleared to safety.

Killymoon were finding it difficult to get any possession, but were working hard to stay on level terms although a quick free-kick after 20 minutes by the visitors finally put them in front.

As the home side tried to get ready for the free-kick from the right, Loughgall took it quick and Brian Adair found himself with only Gareth Maguire to beat and he calmly stroked the ball into the bottom of the Killymoon net.

Loughgall kept up the pressure and nearly doubled their lead on a number of occasions, with Killymoon relying on a last gasp clearance from Gareth McFarland and an excellent save from Maguire to prevent further goals.

Despite being under the cosh for most of the half Killymoon should have went in at the break level when Mulligan put James Ferguson clear, but his shot was well saved by Marc Robinson in the Loughgall goal.

The second half was similar to the first with Killymoon relying on the quick break in order to try and get back into the match. Another product of Cookstown Youth, Lee Hunter, made his Killymoon debut along with Gareth Wilson as the home side tried desperately to get back into the match.

Centre halves Adrian Ferson and Kyle Ferguson were in outstanding form as they dealt with wave after wave of attack from Loughgall and restricted the visitors to very few clear cut chances.

All the Killymoon players were working hard in atrocious conditions, but were finding it very difficult to get any change from their impressive opposition.

Then came the killer goal with 10 minutes to go. A scramble in the Killymoon penalty area looked to have been cleared for a corner, but was knocked back into the six yard area and was put into an empty net by the face of Dean Smith who was lying on the ground.

The Killymoon players were upset by the goal as the referee failed to see that the ball was at least a yard over the by-line, before being returned into the penalty area for the goal.

With the heavy rain continuing to fall the home side never gave up and the impressive Hunter combined with Smith to get behind the Loughgall defence, but again the impressive Robinson saved with his feet to deny Hunter. With the match going into added time a headed goal by Alan Murphy completed the scoring.

Although disappointed by the scoreline there were plenty of positives for Killymoon, especially hard work put in by all the players and in particular the performances from the three debutants.

This Friday Killymoon entertain Armagh City at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena, with kick-off 7.45pm. The visitors will be expecting a victory following a difficult start to their season after coming down from the Premier League. Killymoon would like to thank The Halfway Bar in Tullyhogue for sponsoring Saturday's match.

Teams

Killymoon Rangers: G Maguire; A Ferson; K Ferguson; A Neill; G McFarland; J Ferguson; D McMullan; S McElhatton; W Smith; B Mulligan; S Purvis

Subs: C Stewart; G Wilson; L Hunter; D Flanagan

Loughgall: M Robinson; A Smith; P Pentland; N Alderdice; A Murphy; A Hamilton; R Moffett; D Hawthorne; P Barron; B Adair; D Smith; G Clarke; G Waddell; M Lavery; C Sterritt; A Uprichard.