THE LAST time Coagh visited Larne they came away with a famous victory which put them into the Quarter Finals of the Irish Cup.

That Saturday was a cold, wet and windy day and they had to dig deep to get the win, Saturday past was no different with both teams struggling with the heavy conditions but like all those years ago the Co Tyrone men worked hard and came away this time with all the points.

From the start Larne under new Manager Paul Millar made their intentions known when Damian McLaughlin ran clear only to see his effort pushed round the post by Pollock for the first corner of the match and from Alan Reid's kick Pollock punched clear but only to the feet of Faulkner but the number seven screwed his shot over the bar.

This early danger alerted Coagh and they also had a chance to open the scoring when Randall Reid ran clear from McMenemy's pass but Nelson, in the home goal, got out quickly to block Reid's goal bound shot.

Both teams entertained the crowd with good end to end football and credit also to the excellent Referee who kept the game flowing in very difficult conditions. McLaughlin, Reid and Fulton were causing all sorts of problems for the Coagh defence and had good chances cleared before the visitors finally broke the dead lock on 18 minutes.

Garth Reid making his first appearance in four, orchestrated the move with his final pass sending McCordick free, marshalled by two home defenders McCordick saw his shot parried by the Larne keeper but as the supporters held their breath the ball just about made it over the line to give Coagh the lead.

This lifted Coagh and for the first time in the match they had Larne on the back foot. Keegan Smyth had a good run and cross blocked, while Dallas, McMenemy, and Garth Reid worked overtime to set up good opportunities for Randall Reid and Scott McCordick.

Near the end of the half Pollock made two excellent saves to maintain Coaghs lead while his opposite number, Nelson made a diving save from a rasping Stuart Dallas shot to keep the score line to one on the stroke of half time.

The home side was awarded a penalty at the start of the second half. Damian McLaughlin ran clear but was adjudged to be fouled by two Coagh defenders in the area. Anton Lagan stepped up to take the kick but to the visiting support's delight the number five completely missed the target, screwing his shot wide off the upright.

Larne stepped up their pressure on Coagh after this, pegging Coagh back for long periods but the visitors defence stood firm with some excellent defending to keep the home side at bay.

Both sides made changes Larne brought on Keegan, Pricking and Rollins while Coagh changed their front line bringing on Stoddard and Wardell with Baird replacing Dallas later on in midfield.

These changes freshed up the match. Pollock made an excellent double save from McLaughlin after good work from Keegan while Cleary and Reid for the home side both missed good scoring chances from just inside the box. At the other end from a super Dallas pass, Wardell was fouled just outside the area by the home keeper which earned him a booking. Dallas then drove his free into the wall with Nelson making a good save from Stoddard shot as Coagh piled on the pressure.

Both sides played their final cards as the match moved into the last ten but it was Coagh's hand that won the match.

Man of the Match Garth Reid again did the business supplying an excellent through ball to Wardell and the Coagh sub made no mistake, rounding the keeper to take the pressure off. Any thoughts of Larne making a late comeback were scuppered in injury time when super sub James Wardell slammed the ball into the net to seal another three points for Coagh on the road.