TOWN LOSE LEAGUE OPENER
Town lose league opener
GLENTORAN 2
OMAGH TOWN 0
Omagh Town opened their league campaign with a disappointing two-nil defeat at Glentoran last Saturday, but on the day that was in it the result was immaterial.
As news seeped through of the atrocity back home the players went through the motions out on the pitch, all too anxious to get back to he dressing room and hear word of the unfolding tragedy.
Given the wholesale changes over the summer it was hardly surprising that Roy McCreadie was forced to field a makeshift lineout with a number of players making their competitive debuts.
A baptism of fire it was too for their Irish League rookies. The contest was effectively over by the quarter of an hour mark by which time the Glens had raced into a two goal lead. Town displayed plenty of commitment and didn't fold despite the double setback early on but in truth it never looked likely that they would battle their way back to the contest and in the second half probably should have fallen further behind. Ultimately goals by Philip Mitchell from the penalty spot and Rory Hamill made it all too easy for Roy Coyle's team who coasted to a two goal lead by the fifteenth minute.
Omagh though fought gallantly to make a game of it but Emrnett Mclntyre lacked support up front and fed off scraps.
David McCallan, who was making his debut for the East Belfast men, looked lively early on and threatened Town's defence when in possession.
Town sought to stifle the game by getting men behind the ball but their pre-match plans backfired in the 12th minute. Central defender Mark Donnelly tripped David Rainey inside the box and Philip Mitchell confidently tucked the resultant penalty past Damien Bradley.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for the visitors when Mitchell and Batey combined neatly to tee up Rory Hamill who cracked a marvellous left foot drive into the net from 12 yards.
It was just after the half hour mark when Omagh carved out their first opportunity but newcomer Darren Walker made a hash of his close range volley with the ball spooning over the top.
Just before the break Frankie Wilson nearly gave them the lifeline back into proceedings. His deft free kick from just outside the box clipped the top of the Glens bar.
Town so nearly made a nightmare start to the second period when both McCallan and Leeman went close to making it 3-0.
The home team's back four will hardly have filled Roy Coyle with much confidence but Omagh lacked the cutting edge to really test them.
The Glens required fresh impetus and made a double substitution with Andy Kirk and Nigel Quigley replacing Leeman and Batey. Almost immediately Kirk lobbed the ball up to Mitchell whose header on 65 minutes just went to high.
The home side should definitely have had a third when a lively 1-2 between McCallan and Rainey worked perfectly until McCallan miskicked in front of goal.
Omagh Town: D Bradley, M Toland, T Gray, K Moore, M Donnelly, F Wilson, B Doherty, M Gallagher, E Mclntyre, J Crilly, D Walker. Sub: N Melly for Gallagher.
Referee: D Malcolm (Bangor)
Soccer Fixtures
All mid-week and week-end fixtures scheduled for this week have been cancelled as a mark of respect for the victims of the Omagh Bomb
GLENTORAN 2
OMAGH TOWN 0
Omagh Town opened their league campaign with a disappointing two-nil defeat at Glentoran last Saturday, but on the day that was in it the result was immaterial.
As news seeped through of the atrocity back home the players went through the motions out on the pitch, all too anxious to get back to he dressing room and hear word of the unfolding tragedy.
Given the wholesale changes over the summer it was hardly surprising that Roy McCreadie was forced to field a makeshift lineout with a number of players making their competitive debuts.
A baptism of fire it was too for their Irish League rookies. The contest was effectively over by the quarter of an hour mark by which time the Glens had raced into a two goal lead. Town displayed plenty of commitment and didn't fold despite the double setback early on but in truth it never looked likely that they would battle their way back to the contest and in the second half probably should have fallen further behind. Ultimately goals by Philip Mitchell from the penalty spot and Rory Hamill made it all too easy for Roy Coyle's team who coasted to a two goal lead by the fifteenth minute.
Omagh though fought gallantly to make a game of it but Emrnett Mclntyre lacked support up front and fed off scraps.
David McCallan, who was making his debut for the East Belfast men, looked lively early on and threatened Town's defence when in possession.
Town sought to stifle the game by getting men behind the ball but their pre-match plans backfired in the 12th minute. Central defender Mark Donnelly tripped David Rainey inside the box and Philip Mitchell confidently tucked the resultant penalty past Damien Bradley.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for the visitors when Mitchell and Batey combined neatly to tee up Rory Hamill who cracked a marvellous left foot drive into the net from 12 yards.
It was just after the half hour mark when Omagh carved out their first opportunity but newcomer Darren Walker made a hash of his close range volley with the ball spooning over the top.
Just before the break Frankie Wilson nearly gave them the lifeline back into proceedings. His deft free kick from just outside the box clipped the top of the Glens bar.
Town so nearly made a nightmare start to the second period when both McCallan and Leeman went close to making it 3-0.
The home team's back four will hardly have filled Roy Coyle with much confidence but Omagh lacked the cutting edge to really test them.
The Glens required fresh impetus and made a double substitution with Andy Kirk and Nigel Quigley replacing Leeman and Batey. Almost immediately Kirk lobbed the ball up to Mitchell whose header on 65 minutes just went to high.
The home side should definitely have had a third when a lively 1-2 between McCallan and Rainey worked perfectly until McCallan miskicked in front of goal.
Omagh Town: D Bradley, M Toland, T Gray, K Moore, M Donnelly, F Wilson, B Doherty, M Gallagher, E Mclntyre, J Crilly, D Walker. Sub: N Melly for Gallagher.
Referee: D Malcolm (Bangor)
Soccer Fixtures
All mid-week and week-end fixtures scheduled for this week have been cancelled as a mark of respect for the victims of the Omagh Bomb
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0126
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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