On Saturday Killymoon Rangers Reserves suffered their second defeat in three weeks to old foes Tandragee Rovers on a heavy Fairhill pitch in Cookstown. Two weeks previous the 'Moon lost in dismal fashion to Tandragee in the O'Hara Cup by the same margin when they just didn't turn up.

On Saturday, despite the same margin, the Reserves must count themselves unlucky not to come away with at least a point when they dominated possession and opportunities for most of the game. With the first team fixture called off away to Bournview due to snow, managers Warwick and Fluke had 'enforced changes' with Mustafa Kaplan and Kevin O'Neill having to make way at the last minute. With a three pronged attack of Johnny Scott, Cameron Stewart and Marc Stewart, Killymoon looked the more dangerous in the opening twenty minutes with Jason Devlin and Nigel Campbell playing great defensive roles at wing back stifling Tandragee's movement. On twenty minutes Marc Stewart almost drove home from nearly forty yards when the Tandragee keeper mishit a clearance outside his area. Jason Devlin then had a great opportunity at the back post only to slice his shot wide from ten yards with his weaker right foot. A quick corner from Johnny Scott and Marc Stewart almost delivered the opener with Scott's goal bound shot deflected just wide. In the centre Jeff Hall and Daryll Flanaghan controlled the flow of the game with Flanaghan shining in poor conditions creating several chances for the 'Moon frontline. Against the flow of play Killymoon gave a cheap corner away five minutes before the half and paid dearly when Tandragee's right back powered home a header from six yards.

Into the second half, the back three of Eddie Hudson and Kyle and Brian Smith had to be at their best as Tandragee pushed for the second. Stevie McKernan had to punch on several occasions under pressure from a succession of corners. A quick throw and smart cross from Johnny Scott delivered the equaliser from Jeff Hall with fifteen minutes to go. With Killymoon in the ascendancy it looked like there would be only one winner. Unfortunately a bad mistake at the back with legs tiring gifted the Tandragee left winger their second with ten minutes left. With five minutes to go and Killymoon pushing to get another equaliser, Tandragee broke clear again to hit a third and claim all three points.

It was a bitter ending for both players and management with the effort put in on the day in poor conditions in a game they deserved more from. Andy Warwick and Alan Fluke thank the lads for their great effort today and all season and the guys who missed out on the day.

TEAM: Steven McKernan, Eddie Hudson, Kyle Smith, Brian Smith, Nigel Campbell, Jeff Hall, Daryll Flanaghan, Jason Devlin, Marc Stewart, Cameron Stewart, Johnny Scott
Subs: Peter Sloan, Marty McCormack, Gavin McGuckin.