Loughgall’s unbeaten run of 7 games ended with defeat to a strong well organised Glentoran team on Saturday morning.

Loughgall started brightly with Adam Wright and Matthew Willis busy in attack with Chris Hutchinson looking dangerous on the right wing.  Glentoran forced a corner kick which their impressive no 7 playing into the box leaving a simple header from close range.  Soon after the Glens found themselves another goal to the good after a goal mouth scramble which Loughgall failed to clear.

After the break Loughgall now playing into the wind were on the back foot as Glentoran now with a two goal lead were playing with confidence and seemed to be first to every lose ball. Loughgall dropped their heads and in the process and conceded three more goals to end in a 5-0 defeat their worst of the season.

On the day Loughgall were beaten by the better team but can take some positives from the match and learn from the mistakes that was made.  With a midweek friendly on Wednesday night v Ridgeway it is a good opportunity to improve their performance levels before another tough league match next Saturday against Ballymena.

Squad – Sam Monaghan, Mark Palmer, Jason Dodds, Joshua King, Jamie Haire, Chris Hutchinson, Sam McKew, James Hall, Jac McElveen, Matthew Willis, Adam Robb, Matthew Telford

Player of the day – Mark Palmer

Loughgall were back to league business in the George Best League on Saturday morning against Larne Youth at Grove playing fields Belfast.

Loughgall were on the attack from the start putting Larne on the back foot and nearly took the lead in the first five minutes from an Adam Wight shot after good work from Jac McElveen down the left. Loughgall started to boss the midfield with Sam McKew and James Hall impressing.

Midway through the first half Loughgall finally took the lead after a Larne attack the ball was cleared and picked up by Matthew Willis on the halfway line he ran down the left going past three or four defenders and playing it Into the danger area were Adam Wright had took up a good position and he made no mistake from six yards. Both sides had their chances towards the end of the first half with Matthew Willis and Sam McKew going close for Loughgall.

After the break Larne looked more determined to get themselves back into the game but found the Loughgall defence very solid with Dodds, Telford, Palmer and Haire all impressing with their strong tackling and distribution.

Loughgall were first to the loose ball with all the team putting in a good work rate and they soon found themselves another goal to the good with inform striker Adam Wright getting his second of the match after nice play by Chris Hutchinson.

Larne had a good attack near the end of the game forcing the Loughgall keeper Joshua King into a fine save to keep his side two goals to the good.

Overall great performance from Loughgall with their high work rate and quality finishing a big plus on the day giving them the edge.

Squad- Joshua King, Mark Palmer, Jason Dodds, Adam Robb, Jamie Haire, Jac McElveen, Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson, James Hall, Matthew Willis, Adam Robb, Matthew Telford.

Scorer – Adam Robb 2

Players of the day – Adam Robb and Matthew Willis

Loughgall were back to league business on Saturday morning and came home with all the three points after a commanding win against Dungoyne.

In difficult playing conditions Loughgall found themselves playing into a strong wind resulting in them having to defend in the early part of the match.  Centre backs Jason Dodds and Joshua King made some telling tackles and interventions to clear any danger and prevented any Dungoyne shots on goal.  In a quick counter attack a good through ball from Adam Wright put Matthew Willis in the clear he ran clear off the defender and fired in a great shot high into the net from just inside the box to put his side one goal to the good.  This goal gave Loughgall a lift and soon after Willis made it two following a good pass from McKew the striker rounded the keeper and side footed it into the net.  Dungoyne were not out of the match yet as within five minutes they pulled a goal back. After breaking down the right their winger crossed the ball into the box and with Loughgall slow to pick up the Dungoyne players running into the box a Dungoyne player hammered the ball home giving Loughgall keeper Sam Monaghan little chance.  Just before the break the impressive Adam Wright restored Loughgall’s two goal advantage with a well taken goal after good work from Adam Robb.

After halftime Loughgall now playing with the wind continued to press forward and a great pass from James Hall put Willis in the clear but he was fouled at the edge of the box just when it looked like he was about to score.  Matthew Telford now playing on the left wing added a good forth goal as Loughgall continued to dominate the play, with the Dungoyne players heads now dropped and with them seeming to go down with every tackle it proved a difficult match for the young referee.  Near the end of the match a piece of quick thinking from Right winger Adam Robb with a long throw to the unmarked Adam Wright put Adam in the clear and he coolly finished with a good right foot shot into the corner of the net.

Overall a good display from the young villagers in very difficult playing conditions with the team now looking forward to next weeks match against the unbeaten league leaders Lisburn Youth.

Squad- Sam Monaghan, Mark Palmer, Joshua King, Jason Dodds, Matthew Telford, Jac McElveen, Sam McKew, James Hall, Adam Robb, Matthew Willis, Adam Wright, Jamie Haire.

Scorers- Matthew Willis 2, Adam Wright 2 & Matthew Telford.

Players of the day- Jamie Haire, Jason Dodds & Matthew Willis

Loughgall faced Dromore on Saturday morning in the Majors u10 cup and came home with their passageway safely secured into the next round due to a convincing 5-1 win.

Loughgall piled the pressure on from the start with Adam wright grabbing an early goal to settle the nerves. Soon after striker Matthew Willis found himself in a good shooting position and he made no mistake lobbing the keeper from 10yrds out.  Dromore produced a few counter attacks and they did brake in numbers at times keeping Loughgalls four midfielders busy with them having to get back quickly to cover and help the back line of Palmer, King, Dodds and Haire.

Some great crunching tackles went in and Loughgall proved very solid in defence giving the Dromore attackers little chance to get a shot on goal.  Loughgall keeper Sam Monaghan was always alert to any danger and he was sharp to come off his line when needed to clear the ball.  Just before the break Loughgall added a third due to a great shot coming in from Chris Hutchinson who left a simple tap in for Winger Adam Wright for his 2nd of the day.

After the break Loughgall made a few changes and had to be alert as Dromore tried to get themselves back into the game and they did pull a goal back after being awarded a penalty for a unfortunate hand ball inside the area.  However Loughgall response was immediate with a quick break and clever pass from team captain Sam McKew who found Adam wright who finished in style to get his hatrick.

Loughgall had new signing James Hall on for his debut and he impressed with some nice passes and touches on the ball linking up well with Willis, McElveen and Wright.  Another good attack from Loughgall saw the ball played over the heads of the Dromore defenders and a good burst of speed from Matthew Willis taking him clear of the defenders he calmly slotted the ball under the diving keeper into the back of the net to finish off a dominate display of football from the young villagers.

Unbeaten in four games and recording three wins from four the Loughgall lads look forward to getting back to the league matches next Saturday away to Dungoyne u10s at Loughmoss Carryduff.

Squad- Sam Monaghan, Mark Palmer, Joshua King, Jason Dodds, Jamie Haire, Adam Wright, Chris Hutchinson, Sam McKew, Jac McElveen, Matthew Willis, James Hall, Matthew Telford, Adam Robb.

Scorers Adam Wright 3, Matthew Willis 2.

Players of the day – Adam Wright & Jason Dodds.

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.

Loughgall started brightly putting Glentoran under pressure but couldn’t create a clear cut chance.  Glentoran scored first against the run of play when the Loughgall defence let a high ball bounce in the box and Glentoran were quicker to the loose ball.  To their credit Loughgall responded positively and were soon back on level terms when a well worked corner resulted in Matthew Willis hitting the net from a tight angle.  Loughgall continued to push forward but were caught out on the counter attack when the Glentoran left winger got behind the Loughgall defence and fired in a powerful shot giving Loughgall’s keeper Joshua King little chance.

After the break Loughgall had two good chances to equalize but they found the Glens keeper in fine form saving good shots from Matthew Willis and Mattie McBurney and Jac McElveen.  Near the end of the game the Glens got their third goal after the Loughgall defence failed to clear the ball leaving a simple tap in for the Glens striker.

Silly mistakes are punished at this level of football and Loughgall learned this lesson.

Squad- Joshua King, Matthew Telford, Jason Dodds, Mark Palmer, Adam Robb, Adam Wright Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson, Jac McElveen, Matthew Willis, Mattie McBurney, Harry Gilpin.

Players of the Day – Adam Robb and Chris Hutchinson

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.

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 U10s were up against a strong well organised Ballymena United team on Saturday morning but were left scratching their heads wondering how they finished the game with no points.  Loughgall were on the attack from the start with Matthew Willis going close with two good chances in a short period of time after been put in the clear by the impressive Chris Hutchinson. Ballymena did have a few counter attacks but these were easily clearly by the inform Loughgall centre backs Jason Dodds & Joshua King.

Near the end of the first half an attack down the left from Ballymena and a resulting cross into the box caused panic in the Loughgall goal mouth area and with Loughgall slow to clear the danger the Ballymena no 9 poked the ball home to give his side the lead it has to be said against the run of play.

After the break Loughgall pushed for an equalizer but were dealt a sucker blow due to an unfortunate slack back pass that give the Ballymena front man an easy chance to nip in front of Keeper Jamie Haire in the Loughgall goals putting his side two nil up.

Loughgall to their credit didn’t drop their heads and did pull a goal back as a result of a great turn of speed from David Cochrane putting himself in the clear and he calmly shot passed the out coming Ballymena keeper.  Loughgall battled on for the equalizer but unfortunately time ran out on them.

Overall Loughgall gave their all but failing to take their earlier chances proved costly but alot of positives to take from the game.

Squad- Jamie Haire, Matthew Telford, Jason Dodds, Joshua King, Mark Palmer, Jac McElveen, Sam Monaghan, Sam McKew, Chris Hutchinson, Matthew WIllis, Harry Gilpin, David Cochrane.

Scorer – David Cochrane

Players of the day – Jason Dodds & Mark Palmer