The wind was always going to be a factor in this Mid Ulster derby at Tandragee Road.  Annagh had a bright start before Armagh then looked livlier with a free from Kenny Camlin the only real threat for the home side in the opening 10 mins. But on only 13 minutes keeper Andy Wright misjudged an Alan Murphy back pass and ex Annagh man Adam Nesbitt’s burst of pace found him poking the ball home to give City the lead. Ten minutes later Jaime Gardiner just failed to round the keeper for the leveller after being put through one on one.  Kenny Camlin then saw an inswinging free kick just clawed out before it crossed the line.  On the half hour though a game changing moment when Chris Murdock lost possession in midfield, Mulgrew fired in a shot which was parried by Wright and Nesbitt found himself with an open net only to trundle the ball the wrong side of the upright from 12 yards out. With 5 minutes to the break Darragh Peden’s overhead kick was superbly saved. Then Armagh’s new signing Marty Lavery’s effort was tipped over at the other end. 

Half Time: Annagh United 0-1 Armagh City

The second half seen Annagh start pressuring for the equaliser and they were undoubtedly on top most of the half. Chris Coleman fired just over on 55 minutes and another Camlin free two minutes later just evaded an airborne Uprichard.  On the hour Annagh’s hard work paid off, some good play from the back gave Frances McCann the run of the right flank and his pinpoint cross found an unmarked Alan Murphy who made it one each with half an hour to play. Ex-Annagh player Shane Mulgrew hit the showers early on 68 minutes seeing red for foul language towards the referee. On 77 minutes the ball seemed over the line from Annagh sub Wilkinson only for the assistant to wave for a foul. Peden then flicked a set piece on at near post with 2 Annagh players just failing to connect at the back post. Armagh were fending off successive Annagh attacks but broke on a counter attack and Lavery curled a long range effort just wide for Armagh with 5 minutes to play. For all Annagh’s pressure in the last third of the game the match eventually finished as the November fixture with both teams taking a point.

Full Time: Annagh United 1-1 Armagh City

Team: WRIGHT, ALLEN, RIDDLE, PEDEN, MURPHY(c), COLEMAN, McCANN, MURDOCK, UPRICHARD, GARDINER, CAMLIN  

''While disappointed to drop more points especially at home I have to praise the players for showing real character today.  To gift a goal so early in a derby match puts you on the back foot but we battled back and were well on top in the second half showing a good team spirit.   However as in recent weeks we failed to create enough from open play. It was a horrible day for both sets of players with the swirling wind making it difficult and overall is was a poor quality game.  Chris Murdock had a good game and again Murphy and Peden were strong and Francis McCann put in a great ball for the equaliser.  Overall I was pleased with the players efforts. 

With a few players heading for the exit door for a variety of reasons it is important that we bring in a few players but they need to  be of the right quality and want to have a passion to play for Annagh FC.''