Loughgall’s run of form continued, despite a few changes of personnel and tactics, caused through suspensions, with a much deserved point against Ballymena United.

Ballymena put Loughgall under some early pressure as the side seemed to take a few minutes to come to grips with the changes, but it was Loughgall who had the first chance of the game with a long range Ethan Rusk strike just going over the crossbar.  Soon after some individual errors allowed Ballymena a goal mouth scramble but Loughgall eventually cleared the danger and again Ballymena came close with a long range effort hitting the post.

After a chance to regroup at the break Loughgall went out with much more confidence in the second half and created two of the better chances with both John McWilliams and Ethan Rusk presented good chances to score.  The blues tried playing their football and played some good stuff in the second half trying to keep possession and attack.  The defence held a good line and ensured that when Ballymena put the ball in the net, that they were offside, excellent positional play by the back four.

The game then became end to end with both teams hitting each other with wave after wave of attack, but both teams failed to capitalise.  Ballymena received a free kick on the edge of the box with seconds remaining but hit the top of the cross bar, which effectively finished the game.

Overall a draw is a fair result, both teams had chances, and we were treated to an exciting match even if there were no goals.  It is good to see the belief the boys have at present and we must continue with this belief in upcoming matches.  We had our game plan, stuck to it and gave the match a good go!

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

Man of the Match: Ethan Rusk.

Loughgall travelled to Ballysillan 3g pitch, Belfast on saturday to face the fancied Lisburn Distillery u10s in the 1st round of the George Best Cup.

Loughgall were on the attack from the start and went close to opening the scoring when Matthew Willis put Adam Wright in the clear with a defence splitting pass with Wrights 15 yard shot on goal hitting the post.  Soon after another break down the right saw Wright finding himself in another good position and this time his looping shot hit the back of the net to put his side one nil up.

Loughgall continued to push forward and the 2nd soon followed due to a good long range effort from the impressive left winger Jamie Haire.  Distillery had a couple of counter attacks but the inform Loughgall defence of Palmer, Dodds, king & Telford quickly cleared any danger before they could get a shot on goal.  Loughgall got the third just before the break from their influential midfielder Sam McKew who’s low shot give the distillery keeper little chance.

After half time Loughgall added the fourth from Adam Wright who linked up well with Chris Hutchinson who’s clever pass left a simple finish for his teammate.

Distilley came into the game better in the 2nd half and they were awarded a free kick just outside the box which Loughgalls keeper Sam Monaghan had to pull off a great save to keep the goal bound shot out.  Loughgall soon after broke again down the right and after a good cross in from Adam Wright it left a simple tap in for Adam Robb to put his side five goals to the good.

In the closing stages Matthew Willis broke into the box and after beating his man his shot come off the post and kindly fell into the path of the incoming Mark Palmer who made no mistake firing it high into the net.

Overall great display from the Loughgall lads who all gave 100% on the day.

Squad: Sam Monaghan, Mark Palmer, Joshua King, Jason Dodds, Matthew Telford, Adam Wright, Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson,q Jamie Haire, Matthew Willis, Jac McElveen & Adam Robb

Scorers – Adam Wright 2, Jamie Haire 1, Sam Mckew 1, Adam Robb 1, Mark Palmer 1.

Players of the day- Adam Wright & Jamie Haire.

Dungannon won the toss and turned the teams around hoping to take early advantage of the wind, but with Loughgall’s goal keeper, Connor Brown in fine form and a strong back four of Ryan Parr, James Orr, Sam Gibbons and Joel Paynter, Dungannon only managed to come close on one occasion when a fine 18 yard effort struck Loughgall’s crossbar. Loughgall however had most of the possession with Tim Wharton, Rhys McMaster and Kyle West also having several near misses including hitting both uprights and the crossbar. With some excellent through balls by Ryan Faulkner who showed his ability to read the game, supported by the tireless Luke Murray, Loughgall  were unlucky not to be infront at half time.

With Jake Shields replacing the hard working Jamie Barbour at half time Loughgall started strong and again dominated, but were thwarted by a strong Dungannon defence on several occasions, until around the 40min mark, when Jake Shields hit the target with a well placed shot from just inside the box. Dungannon came back fighting and had a chance to equalise thwarted by an outstanding, perfectly timed slide tackle by James Orr inside Loughgall’s box. Despite some good breaks by Dungannon, Loughgall continued to dominate with Jake Shields and Tim Wharton causing Dungannon big problems on both wings it was only a matter of time, the 51st minute, when an excellent ball from Tim Wharton to the feet of Kyle West resulted in a score line of 2-0. Despite the best efforts of Ben Edgar in the last 10mins the score remained at 2-0 to the final whistle.

Loughgall 2-0 Dungannon Colts.

Squad: Connor Brown, Ryan Parr, James Orr, Sam Gibbons, Joel Paynter, Tim Wharton, Ryan Faulkner, Luke Murray, Jamie Barbour, Rhys McMaster, Kyle West, Jake Shields and Ben Edgar.

Loughgall scorers: Jake Shields & Kyle West

Man of the match Jake Shields.

Loughgall put Crusaders under a lot of pressure in the opening minutes as they pushed for the opening goal coming close on a few occasions including missing a penalty.  After the penalty miss Loughgall kept their heads up and continued to put pressure on Crusaders and Harry McNeely came closest to opening the scoreline. After 20mins of the game Ben Neill scored the first goal of the game when he won the ball in midfield and battled past the defence putting the ball by an out-coming keeper. Keith Kearney nearly doubled the lead but the keeper pushed the ball past the post. As half time approached Crusaders started to pressure the Loughgall goal and equalised in the final few minutes as Loughgall failed to clear a corner.

The second half was a more even affair as both sides played in a very enjoyable end to end game of football and as both teams started to tire a few gaps started to appear with both keepers being kept on their toes.  Loughgall deserved to take all three points after their 1st half display but were happy to walk away with a share of the points after Mark McKitterick made a vital save from a free kick in the final few seconds. This was a great performance all the pitch and hopefully we bring this form to the next game.

Next week Loughgall are due to take on Hillsborough @ Barbour with a 11.15 kick off.

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

Loughgall Youth returned to league action against a very physical Shankill side who are flying high in the league. Shankill, with the wind at their backs in the first half, started the stronger and pegged Loughgall back in their own half for long periods.

Scott McCann, James McCormack, Jordan Finlay and the debutant Josh Woods had to be at their very best to keep Shankill at bay. Loughgall struggled to get a foot hold in the game as Shankill’s no nonsense physical approach did not allow Loughgall to settle on the ball.

With 20 minutes on the clock the Shankill striker was allowed to run into the Loughgall box unchallenged and his mishit shot looped over the head of Daniel Acheson and into the Loughgall net to open the scoring.

Loughgall finally got some possession and a neat move involving Jordan Finlay, Daniel Neill and Kyle Gilmore saw Kyle Gilmores dangerous cross cleared at the back post. Shankills long ball tactics constantly had the Loughgall defence under pressure as Scott McCann and Joshua Woods kept coming up with timely interceptions and clearances.

A Loughgall clearance was then fired back towards their goal by Shankill and Daniel Acheson could only watch as the ball dipped over his head and into the net to double Shankills advantage.

Loughgall started much brighter in the second half as Daniel Neill and William Graham started to gain the upper hand in the midfield battle. Jonathan Ewart found Adam Alexander and his snap shot flew wide. Loughgall players were continually on the receiving end of some very rash Shankill tackles and from one of these free kicks, Kyle Gilmores cross was headed home by William Graham but the referee harshly adjudged it to be offside.

Loughgall continued to press and the pressure soon told when the impressive Daniel Neill lashed home a stunning goal from 20 yards. Luke Cartwright and Jack Hamilton then entered the fray as Loughgall continued to push for the equalizer. Josh Woods and Scott McCann were dealing comfortably with everything that came their way and James McCormack was having an excellent second half at left back.

The Shankill keeper then rushed from his goal and just got to the ball ahead of the hard working Jonathan Ewart. Adam Alexander was then put in by Daniel Neill, Adam Alexander then cut inside on to his stronger left foot and got his shot away, but the Shankill keeper made an excellent stop to keep his side ahead.

Shankill were now playing on the counter attack as a speculative long range dipping effort was brilliantly pushed on to the post by Daniel Acheson. Luke Cartwright then had to leave the field of play after another heavy Shankill tackle before Adam Alexander too could not continue after being blatantly kicked off the ball by a Shankill player, but the referee failed to see the incident.

With time running out another Loughgall move saw Jonathan Ewart burst into the Shankill box only to be brought down by a two footed tackle which saw the offending player being asked to leave the pitch. The referee, after an intervention from the Shankill coach, then adjudged the incident to have happened outside the box and only awarded Loughgall a free kick.

Kyle Gilmore’s cross was then gathered by the Shankill keeper and the referee blew for full time to bring to an end a bruising encounter which Loughgall were very unfortunate to finish empty handed.

Squad: Daniel Acheson, Jordan Finlay, Josh Woods, William Graham (Capt), Scott McCann , Kyle Gilmore, Daniel Neill, Adam Alexander, James McCormack, Dale Mulligan, Jonathan Ewart, Luke Cartwright & Jack Hamilton.

Loughgall Youths Scorer: Daniel Neill

Loughgall Youth Man of the Match: Josh Woods

Lisburn League Squad: Scott McCann

Mid Ulster League Squad: Tim Wharton

Congratulations boys and keep up the good work!

Loughgall returned to action in the New Year against Shankill Juniors and a controversial decision cost the blues the win, just as it looked safe.

The first half was relatively scrappy with neither side playing fluent football.  Shankill forced some excellent saves from Matthew Lutton in the Loughgall goal but often these had been confined to long range efforts.  Mid way through the first half an excellent through ball from Ethan Rusk was met by Robbie Wright who coolly dinked the ball over the helpless Shankill keeper.

In the second half Loughgall soaked up the Shankill pressure and Scott Capper, Ethan Rusk and Mark Johnston kept Angus Boyd and Adam Farrell busy on the wings.  Following a Shankill player going down in the box Shankill received a penalty and the ball just crept under Matthew Lutton’s body.  Despite this the blues pushed on and following a save from his first effort, Adam Farrell made no mistake from the second and made it 2-1.  Shortly after John McWilliams didn’t give up on what looked a lost cause and scored with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Loughgall now were playing excellent football, however the game changed following a very high and very late tackle on the Loughgall centre back, following retaliation the Loughgall received a red card and to the bemusement of coaching staff Shankill were awarded a free kick which they scored from.  Shankill then scored from a dubious corner and the game finished 3-3.

Boys performed well but one of those days…

Squad: Matthew Lutton, Nathan Robinson, Jordan Frizzell, John McConville, Sam McAdam, Adam Farrell, Ethan Rusk, Mark Johnston, Tom Holland, Robbie Wright, Scott Capper, John McWilliams, Angus Boyd.

Man of the Match: Jordan Frizzell.

Loughgall Youth returned to action after the festive break with a friendly against Cookstown Youth, who currently sit top of the Mid Ulster U11 league table. This was only Loughgall’s fourth outing since October and a badly needed run out for the boys.

Loughgall dominated possession in the early stages with Daniel Neill and William Graham prominent in midfield. James McCormack and Kyle Gilmore supplied the width as Loughgall pegged Cookstown back in their own half. A James McCormack run created an opening for Luke Cartwright, but the danger was cleared as Luke Cartwright delayed his shot.

Scott McCann then made another timely interception before an exchange of passes between Daniel Neill and Dale Mulligan released James McCormack who twisted and turned before seeing his shot smothered.

Jordan Finlay was linking well with Kyle Gilmore up the right and on the other side, Adam Alexander and James McCormack were combining well but for all Loughgall’s good possession they could not find a way through a strong Cookstown defence.

With 10 minutes remaining of the first half Cookstown forced a corner after a Cookstown midfielder was allowed to run deep into the Loughgall box. From the resulting corner a looping Cookstown effort found the back of the Loughgall net despite Daniel Acheson getting a hand to the ball.

The message from the coach at half time was for Loughgall to get more shots in on the Cookstown goal. The second half saw Loughgall continue to dominate possession with some neat football, but again struggle to create any clear cut chances. Daniel Neill, Scott McCann and Adam Alexander continued to impress as Loughgall searched for the equalizer.

Loughgall forced a corner after another flowing move involving Daniel Neill, Adam Alexander, Dale Mulligan and James McCormack. Adam Alexander’s corner eluded everyone at the front post and presented William Graham with a fantastic opportunity at the back post, but the defender blasted the ball high over the bar from 6 yards.

The game was now becoming more stretched as a rare Cookstown break saw Daniel Acheson make an outstanding save with his feet.

With 5 minutes remaining Ryan Faulkner combined with Daniel Neill and released Adam Alexander whose well struck shot was too hot to handle for the Cookstown keeper and Kyle Gilmore was quickest to react to tap the ball home and bring the sides level.

Loughgall now went in search of the winner with debutant Zane Brown and Jordan Finlay combining to win a corner before the final whistle brought to an end an entertaining game which was played in a great spirit.

Squad: Daniel Acheson, Jordan Finlay, William Graham (Capt), Scott McCann, Kyle Gilmore, Daniel Neill, Adam Alexander, James McCormack, Dale Mulligan, Luke Cartwright, James Orr, Ryan Faulkner, Luke Murray & Zane Brown.

Loughgall Youths Scorers:  Kyle Gilmore

Loughgall Youth Man of the Match: Daniel Neill.