Loughgall u10s found themselves up against a strong Ballymena side on Saturday morning and after a commanding start unfortunately went home with nothing to show for it.

Loughgall started the brighter of the two sides and with the wind in their favour they found themselves in front due an own goal after good play by Jac McElveen who crossed the ball in and with Adam wright closing in for a shot the Ballymena defender hit the ball into his own net.

Loughgall soon after found themselves two goals up after some more good attacking play with Jac McElveen getting a good headed goal. Towards the end of the first half Ballymena got a goal back after a quick counter attack catching the Loughgall defenders out with their pace and with their left winger cutting inside he drove an unstoppable shot into the net giving Loughgall keeper David Cochrane little chance.  Loughgall again pushed forward and had two good chances to score again but just couldn’t find the net when it looked certain they were to score.

After the break Ballymena now with the wind advantage pushed hard for the equalizer forcing Loughgall’s keeper David Cochrane into making a couple of good saves to keep his side in the lead. Unfortunately for Loughgall Ballymena eventually got their second goal after their impressive no 9 cut in from the right after Loughgall failed to clear the ball and he fired in a looping shot that dropped into the net to level the score at 2-2. Soon after Ballymena looked certain to get the winner but quick reactions by the impressive Loughgall centre back Jason Dodds cleared the ball as it was just about to go over the line.

Loughgall seemed to have done enough to earn the draw but Ballymena had other ideas as in their last attack of the game they got the winner after a goal mouth scramble and with Loughgall slow to clear the danger the Ballymena forward poked the ball home to gain his side the three points.

Overall a game of two halves with Loughgall the more dominant in the first and Ballymena more dominant in the second.  Loughgall failing to take their chances in the first half proved costly at the final whistle but at the same time didn’t deserve to lose the match.

Squad: David Cochrane, Matthew Telford, Jason Dodds, Joshua King, Mark Palmer, Jac McElveen, Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson, Adam Wright, Matthew Willis, Jamie Haire & Harry Gilpin.

Scorers Jac McElveen 1, own goal

Players of the day – Jason Dodds, Sam McKew.

Following a determined performance the previous week, the management expected the same this week, as the boys were very unfortunate to not get as much as a point last week.  However Loughgall were very disappointing, allowing Ridgeway long spells of possession and showing little fight against a physical Ridgeway side.  The first goal was conceded from a corner, Loughgall were desperately slow to react to a ball in the box and were then forced to pick it out of the net.  Ridgeway scored mid way through the half to double their advantage.

In the second half the blues started playing better football, but twice the defence was caught napping and we fell to a four nil deficit.  Loughgall finally realised they needed to waken themselves and pulled a goal back after a Scott Capper freekick was deflected past the ridgeway goal keeper and John McConville scored from another perfect corner from Scott Capper.  To blame the wind is pointless as we didn’t show up and we got exactly what we deserved.

Another frustrating game, the U14s are very capable in this league but the hot and cold form must stop!

Squad: Matthew Lutton, Nathan Robinson, John McConville, Jordan Frizzell, Sam McAdam, Adam Farrell, Scott Capper, Mark Johnston, Tom Holland, Robbie Wright, Josh Coleman, Angus Boyd, Owen Cairns.

Man of the match: Mark Johnston and Matthew Lutton

Loughgall Youth

Loughgall Youth under 9′s 4 match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday as they drew 1-1 against Lurgan Vapors and lost 1-0 to Sunnyside Colts.  The boys struggled to deal with the difficult windy weather conditions at first and this coupled with preventable mistakes contributed to the winning run coming to an end. The first match against Lurgan saw a soft free kick given which the Youth failed to clear and this resulted in Lurgan taking the lead. The boys never say die attitude resulted in Jordan Bentley scoring the equaliser near the end. Nathan Stoops and Ryan Scott were again outstanding at the back. The Black twins, James and Alexander, were unfortunate with a couple of efforts, but in the end a draw was probably the right result.

In the second match Loughgall were beaten 1-0 by Sunnyside Colts. This was a game were the Youth failed to take their chances. Chris Lindsay was unfortunate with 2 efforts as was Jordan Bentley and James Black. Again Nathan Stoops and Ryan Scott performed well at the back and Josh Irwin dominated the midfield. Sam Kerr performed well in goals but there was nothing he could do to prevent Sunnyside taking the lead. The boys worked hard but could not find the equaliser which based on the balance of play they deserved.

A disappointing day for the Youth compared to the previous 2 weeks but the management duo of Keith Stoops and Stephen Lindsay are confident the boys will bounce back to winning ways next week.

Squad: Sam Kerr, Nathan Stoops, Ryan Scott, Josh Irwin, James Black, Chris Lindsay, Alexander Black, Jordan Bentley.

Player of the day was Josh Irwin.

Under the management of James Trouton the U7s are currently training in Loughgall each Monday night.  At present the U7s are not playing matches but as the season unfold they will arrange some friendly games.  Details of which will occur here when these games occur.

Loughgall travelled to Belfast on Saturday to face Sirocco Youth u10s in the George Best league and came home with the three points after a 7-0 scoreline.

Loughgall ended up with 6 different names on the score sheet with some great attacking football.  The first goal came from David Cochrane after he raced past his marker and slotted the ball home.  The 2nd goal came from the impressive Sam McKew with a terrific volley from just outside the box earning him a player of the match award.  Loughgall were soon three up after a neat finish from Adam Wright who shot across the keeper into the bottom corner of the net.

After half time Chris Hutchinson added the 4th with a good finish from inside the box, Loughgall were now attacking well down the flanks with their full backs Telford & Palmer getting forward at every opportunity.  The 5th goal arrived as a result of an own goal with the defender deflecting the ball into his own net.  Matthew Willis added the 6th from a well taken penalty and the 7^th and final goal was scored by Mark Palmer who was quickest to react in the goal mouth area to poke the ball home.

Squad – Jamie Haire, Matthew Telford, Jason Dodds, Joshua King, Mark Palmer, Adam Wright, Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson, Jac McElveen, Matthew Willis, David Cochrane, Harry Gilpin.

Scorers Matthew Willis 1, David Cochrane 1, Chris Hutchinson 1, Sam McKew 1, Mark Palmer 1, Adam Wright 1 & own goal.

Players of the match- Matthew Telford & Sam McKew.

Loughgall u10s travelled to Cookstown to face Magherafelt Sky Blues u10s in a midweek 11 aside friendly which proved to be a very entertaining match.  Magherafelt started the brighter of the two sides and scored in the first five minutes of play after good play down the left and a resulting cross finding an unmarked striker who had a simple tap in.  Loughgall midway through the 1st half started to get a foothold in the game and got the equalizer due to an excellent finish from left winger Jac McElveen.

After the break both sides had their share of chances but it was Loughgall who took the lead from a neat finish from Matthew Willis after good work by midfield men McKew and Hutchinson.  Magherafelt were not to be out done as soon after they equalised after some of the Loughgall defenders got caught out of position leaving a simple finish from the Magherafelt winger.  Loughgall to their credit finished the stronger and again took the lead as a result of a well taken penalty kick from Matthew Willis near the end of the game after he was taken down inside the box.

Overall some good football played by both teams in a game Loughgall done well to grind out a win against a talented Magherafelt Sky Blues u10 team.

Squad – Jamie Haire, Matthew Telford, Jason Dodds, Joshua King, Mark Palmer, Jac McElveen, Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson, Adam Wright, Matthew Willis, David Cochrane, Glen Capper, Mattie McBurney & Sam Monaghan.

Scorers Matthew Willis 2 & Jac McElveen 1

Players of the Match – Adam Wright & Matthew Willis.

Loughgall reacted to last Saturday’s game with a good performance agsinst a string Glentoran team, but fell to a 1-0 defeat in the last 10 minutes.  Loughgall started the game a little nervously, but as the game progressed the team grew in confidence, and set up a few attacks through Robbie Wright and Josh Coleman, however a reluctance to shoot gave Glentoran the time they needed to recover.  In the first half Matthew Lutton was rarely troubled, however dominant goal keeping ensured he took the pressure of the defence in numerous occasions.  Overall the first half was tight with no clear chances for either side and more of what is expected from this Loughgall side.

In the second half the pace of the game increased further and was end to end at times.  Loughgall battled well all over the park, Mark Johnston broke up the Glentoran play on numerous occasions and John McConville and Jordan Frizzell led the defence a lot better and ensured Lutton wasn’t kept busy.  Angus Boyd got through on goal following a defensive mistake from the Glen, but his shot just went wide.  With 10 mins to go, for the first time, the Glens striker caught a defender out went through one on one and gave Lutton no chance.  Loughgall got over the disappointment and got on with the football, Glentoran were rattled but a late Mark Johnston effort just went over the bar, or was it through a hole in the net?!

Much improved performance and we need to move on and further relax in games and play the football we are capable of.

Squad: Matthew Lutton, Nathan Robinson, John McConville, Jordan Frizzell, Sam McAdam, Adam Farrell, Scott Capper, Mark Johnston, Tom Holland, Robbie Wright, Josh Coleman, Angus Boyd, Owen Cairns.

Man of the match: hard to choose, Mark Johnston, Nathan Robinson, Matthew Lutton and Robbie Wright all had very good games.

Loughgall Youth

Loughgall Youth under 9′s increased their winning run to 4 matches with 2 impressive victories against Portadown Boys and Sunnyside Colts.  The impressive passing, movement, teamwork and team spirit is improving each week. Against Portadown they won 2-0 with Jordan Bentley scoring both goals. For both goals he ran from the halfway line, leaving the defenders in his wake and finished with great composure. Nathan Stoops and Ryan Scott were outstanding at the back, with Josh Irwin and James Black also impressing

In the second match Loughgall beat Sunnyside Colts 1-0 with Chris Lindsay scoring the games only goal, his 15th strike of the season, after tremendous wing play from Alexander Black. Jamie Cupples was unfortunate with 2 great efforts in the first half and Sam Kerr made some great saves at crucial times to keep the Youth in the game. Again Nathan Stoops and Ryan Scott were solid at the back and missed nothing all day. Josh Irwin and James Black continued their impressive run of form in midfield and on the wing.

Another great day for the Youth with all the boys performing admirably.

Squad: Sam Kerr, Nathan Stoops, Ryan Scott, Josh Irwin, James Black, Chris Lindsay, Alexander Black, Jordan Bentley, Jamie Cupples

Player of the day was Nathan Stoops.

Loughgall Colts

Loughall Colts went down 4-2 to Oxford Sunnyside. The goals were scored by Calvin Holland and Sam Cochrane. Sam’s goal was an absolute stunner. The boys performed well with Andrew Bond, Matthew Monaghan, Peter Spence and John Forde impressing.

Against Tullyvallen the boys lost 4-1 with Calvin Holland scoring the Colts goal. The boys played well but conceded 2 goals right on half time. They played well in the second half and pushed hard for an equaliser and were punished with 2 late Tullyvallen strikes.

Squad: Jamie Berry, Andrew Bond, James Ballantine, Matthew Monaghan, Calvin Holland, John Forde, Stephen Troughton, Sam Cochrane, Peter Spence 

Player of the day was Calvin Holland.

Loughgall started brightly against Portadown and soaked up the early pressure without Portadown causing many goal chances. As the game continued Declan Hughes had a couple of chances on goal followed by James McCoy. With these chances Loughgall grew in confidence and almost broke the deadlock when Ben Neill skipped through the defence and put the ball into the box where Jackson Holmes shot just flashed by the post. Loughgall ended the half the stronger of the two teams. Portadown made a few changes at the break and as the 2^nd half continued Portadown started to get the upper hand and opened the scoring as Loughgall failed to clear their lines. After this goal Portadown grew in confidence but were hit a very well organized Loughgall team who were fighting for every ball. Portadown got their second goal when Loughgall failed to clear a corner and the ball was bundled into the net. As the game came to a close Portadown added a third and secured three points and Loughgall walked away with their heads held up high as all involved in this game proved we can take on anyone in this league and make a game off it. Next week Loughgall are due to take on Ballymacash Rangers @ Rushmore 09.30 kick off.

Squad: Mark McKitterick, Adam Morrow, Ben Browne, Jason Ellison, Aaron Maye, James McCoy, Declan Hughes, Ben Neill, Jackson Holmes, Matthew Loney, Kyle Hamilton, Harry McNeely, William Irwin, James Smyth