Sam Sproule’s hat-trick helped Annagh United overcome the challenge of both Queen’s University and, possibly more significantly, Storm Boelo in a 5-1 victory that had the hosts smiling despite such grim conditions.

TOP RATED

ANNAGH UNITED: Hat-trick hero Sam Sproule proved both composed and clinical when it counted most in the danger area to finish with treble delight.

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY: Queen’s goalkeeper Jack Wilkins produced big saves at the start and end of the first half to deny Eoin Teggart, initially down low to his left to push away an effort from distance and then strong hands at his near post.

placeholder image — Annagh United and Queen's University players before kick-off in the Boyle Sports Championship clash at Tandragee Road. (Photo by Iconic Media Group)

BIG MOMENT

In-form Annagh striker Sam Sproule finished with the match ball thanks to second-half success in front of goal – but his close-range finish before the break set the hosts on the path to victory on an afternoon in which weather conditions would be expected to limit scoring opportunities.

MATCH STATS

80: GOAL - Annagh United 5 (Cromack) Queen's University 1

Calvert feeds the ball back into the heart of the box and Cromack gains a decisive touch to force it over the line

77: SUBS (Queen’s) – Mairs and Bonnar for Young and Nixon

72: SUBS (Annagh) – Walsh for Taylor and Redman for Upton

66: SUBS (Queen’s) – McKenna, Mulgrew and Ajala for Glover, Bonnes and Ovens

65: GOAL – Annagh United 4 (Taylor) Queen’s University 1

Taylor’s low angled shot on the turn finds the bottom corner from the left-hand side of the box to cement control off Teggart’s second assist of the afternoon

63: SUBS (Annagh) – Cromack for Sproule and Crowe on for Rogers

61: SUB (Annagh) – Callan for Burns

59: GOAL – Annagh United 3 (Sproule) Queen’s University 1

Quickfire response by hosts to restore two-goal advantage as Sproule is alive in the box to convert Burns’ hooked ball with a brave header

53: GOAL – Annagh United 2 Queen’s University 1 (Hughes)

Queen’s captain Matthew Hughes finds the net with an angled drive from distance beyond a diving Graham

51: GOAL - Annagh United 2 (Sproule) Queen's University 0

Gibson's flick over the top to turn the Queen's backline offered Sproule a sight of goal to chase and he capped the turn of pace with a composed sidefoot finish inside the box

H-T: Annagh United 1 Queen’s University 0

44: GOAL - Annagh United 1 (Sproule) Queen's University 0

Mounting Annagh pressure leads to a goal late in the first half as Eoin Teggart's low delivery is converted with a close-range finish by Sam Sproule

ANNAGH UNITED: Dylan Graham, Kris Calvert, Jude Cargill, Eoin Teggart, Sam Sproule, Craig Taylor, Jordan Gibson, Aaron Rogers, Lee Upton, James Carroll, Liam Burns.

Subs: Martin Marron, Ben Callan, Oliver Crowe, Ross Redman, Rhys David Walsh, Ryan McKnickle, Henry Cromack.

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY: Jack Wilkins, Jack Ovens, David Elliott, Dan Mairs, Tommy Smyth, Christopher Middleton, Matthew Hughes, Ronan Young, Stewart Nixon, Jamie Glover, Leon Bonnes.

Subs: Neil Shields, Marc McKenna, Ben Mulgrew, Johnny Mairs, Caoimhin Bonnar, Ambrose Ajala.

TALKING POINTS

Storm Boelo was the dominant name on everyone’s lips at a wet and windy Tandragee Road as both sets of players had to first overcome the demanding weather conditions before attempting to actually win a game of football.

With strong winds and heavy rain dictating the pattern of play, the opportunity for embarrassment was high but credit to all players and, in particular, both backlines for working hard to manage conditions and avoid any high-price errors.

SPECIAL MENTION

The young Annagh United ballboys who braved the elements on the sidelines outside a brief respite at half-time of a hot drink and hot dog to try and warm up.

A smart decision by Annagh boss Ciaran McGurgan before kick-off to seek permission for a kit change from home red to away black during the half-time break.