Loughgall made it 24 points out of the last 27 possible as they outplayed Ballymena United in this Lisburn League encounter. Loughgall controlled the opening exchanges as they played up the hill into a stiff breeze. Jonathan Ewart and William Graham combined to find Adam Alexander whose dangerous cross was turned behind for a corner.

A quick short corner from Loughgall found Kyle Gilmore in space but his goal bound shot was bravely blocked as Loughgall pressed. Ballymena were content to play long balls into the Loughgall half and Scott McCann, James McCormack, Jordan Finlay and Josh Woods had to be alert to contain the threat.

Ballymena then won a corner which caused problems in the heart of the Loughgall defence, instead of clearing the danger out wide when given the opportunity, the ball was half cleared centrally to the edge of the Loughgall penalty area and Ballymena were quickest to react to fire it through a crowded penalty area into the Loughgall net to open the scoring against the run of play.

Loughgall heads did not drop as they went in search of an equalizer and a great Kyle Gilmore run and cross found William Graham who’s first time shot trickled agonizingly wide of the far post.

The message at half time to the Loughgall players was to remain calm and continue playing as they were and the goals would come. Within 5 minutes of the restart a sweeping Loughgall move saw the ball partially cleared to Jordan Finlay 22 yards out and his thunderous right footed shot crashed down of the Ballymena bar and into the net to bring the sides level.

Loughgall were now first to every ball as the hard working Jonathan Ewart chased down what seemed a lost cause, robbed the Ballymena defender and drill a low shot past the Ballymena keeper to give his side a well deserved lead.

A rare Ballymena attack then caused problems in the Loughgall defence as Scott McCann and Daniel Acheson combined along with the post to keep Ballymena at bay. Straight from Scott McCann’s clearance Loughgall broke through James McCormack, Daniel Neill and Adam Alexander and their swift clinical counter attack ended with William Graham drilling home via the post to extend the Loughgall lead.

Fresh legs were now introduced as Loughgall continued to push forward and another slick move was rewarded with a corner. From the resulting corner Josh Woods found the unmarked James McCormack on the edge of the penalty area and he lashed an unstoppable shot into the Ballymena net for number four.

Loughgall now had the luxury of being able to rotate some players, but the onslaught continued as the impressive Jonathan Ewart and Jordan Finlay combined to find Luke Cartwright at the back post, and he made no mistake as he blasted number five home high into the Ballymena net.

It was now one way traffic and the scoring continued as Jordan Finlay’s cross shot found the far corner of the Ballymena net for number six after more good play from Jonathan Ewart.

Ballymena threatened in the last few minutes but found Sam Gibbons in inspired form with two great interceptions before the energetic Jonathan Ewart showed great desire tracking back to clear the danger before the final whistle sounded on another eye catching Loughgall performance.

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

Loughgall Youths Scorers: Jordan Finlay (2), Jonathan Ewart, William Graham, James McCormack & Luke Cartwright.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Ewart

This friendly, which was played in a good atmosphere, offered a number of Loughgall players, who have been in and out of the Lisburn league starting 11, an opportunity to show what they could do.

A sluggish start from Loughgall saw Portadown enjoy the upper hand in the opening exchanges as they showed much more hunger and desire all over the pitch. Portadown were winning the midfield battle as they were much quicker to the loose ball, as they never allowed Loughgall to settle.

Hesitation in the Loughgall defence, allowing the ball to bounce instead of attacking it, was causing problems as Portadown varied their play well. At the other end appeals for a Loughgall penalty were turned down.

A swift Portadown attack saw Loughgall again let the ball bounce and Portadown reacted quickest to lash a right footed shot beyond Daniel Acheson to open the scoring. Slowly, Loughgall started to come more into the game as Kyle Gilmores shot was saved and William Graham fired wide.

Another Loughgall attack involving Adam Alexander, Luke Cartwright and Jonathan Ewart saw William Graham’s cross shot blocked, the ball looped into the path of Dale Mulligan who volleyed home first time to bring the sides level.

Loughgall now looked much more solid defensively with the impressive Scott McCann restored to the heart of the defence, but it was Portadown who regained the lead before half time when Loughgall failed to make a tackle which resulted in Portadown bundling home to restore their lead.

The second half started with a much improved Loughgall upping the tempo and showing much more determination as they started to boss the midfield area and peg Portadown back in their own half. Luke Cartwright and Jack Hamilton found Jonathan Ewart who was upended in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Jonathan Ewart picked himself up to take the penalty and his well struck effort was just too close to the Portadown keeper who did well to save. Loughgall continued to attack as Jack Hamilton and Jonathan Ewart linked with Adam Alexander and his cross found William Graham in the Portadown box. William Graham miss kicked with his first effort but reacted quickly to knock his second attempt into the far corner of the Portadown net to bring the sides level again.

The Loughgall defence of Sam Gibbons, Josh Woods, Scott McCann and Jack Hamilton were now rarely tested as Loughgall went in search of more goals. Sam Gibbons found Kyle Gilmore who released Dale Mulligan who beat his man and squared the ball to the inrushing Luke Cartwright who smashed a fantastic left footed shot high into the Portadown net to give his side the lead.

Loughgall continued to attack as Dale Mulligan beat the offside trap, with just the keeper to beat his powerful shot flew inches wide of the post from 14 yards.

Loughgall were now first to every ball as Portadown tired and it was the hard working Luke Cartwright who secured the win after good approach play from James McCormack, Jonathan Ewart and Dale Mulligan saw Luke Cartwright fire home from a tight angle to bring the scoring to an end.

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

Loughgall Youths Scorers: Dale Mulligan, William Graham & Luke Cartwright (2)

Loughgall Youth Man of the Match: Luke Cartwright

Within minutes of kick-off, both teams had chances to open the scoring, with Tim Wharton hitting Tandragee’s side netting and Tandragee forcing Loughgalls keeper Connor Brown into pushing a fine shot just wide of his right hand side upright.

Both teams showed much skill and determination and on the 8th min Tandragee were awarded a free kick just outside Loughgalls 18yard box. The result being an inch perfect strike scraping the underside of Loughgalls crossbar. The football continued with plenty fine passing and movement from Tandragee.

There were lots of long balls over Loughgalls defence forcing the back four of Joel Paynter, James Orr, Matthew Cupples and Jack Hamilton to work extremely hard. Both teams came close to hitting the net on several occasions but it was not to be and half time score sat at 1-0 in Tandragee’s favour.

The Second half continued as the first with chances for both teams, with Tandragee perhaps having more possession. On the 43rd minute after a mix up between two of Loughgalls hard working defenders, Tandragee stole the ball and notched up their second goal, with a well placed shot into the bottom right hand corner of Loughgalls net.

Despite near misses from Kyle West, Tim Wharton and Zane Brown, and plenty of hard work from Loughgalls mid-field of Rhys McMaster, Ryan Faulkner and in particular Luke Murray, Loughgall just couldn’t find the net.

Even with Jake Shields, Jamie Barbour and Ryan Stewart making a good contribution, Tandragee scored their 3rd with 7minutes of the game remaining, with a long ball over Loughgall’s defence, with Loughgalls keeper being chipped, when racing out to narrow the angle.

Squad: Connor Brown, Jack Hamilton, James Orr, Matthew Cupples, Rhys McMaster, Ryan Faulkner, Luke Murray, Zane Brown, Tim Wharton, Kyle West, Jamie Barbour, Joel Paynter, Jake Shields and Ryan Stewart.

Loughgall Youth Scorers: None.

Loughgall Man of the Match: Luke Murray

Loughgall Youth Under 11 Players of the Month for March 2012.

Lisburn League Squad: William Graham

Mid Ulster League Squad: Zane Brown

Congratulations boys and keep up the good work

A lacklustre Loughgall Youth faced the challenge of a very direct Donegal Celtic side and grinded out a good result on a day when a number of players failed to hit the heights of recent weeks.

Loughgall got of to a perfect start when a swift break up the left saw Adam Alexander and Kyle Gilmore combine to release James McCormack whose inch perfect cross found William Graham at the back post to coolly convert.

Donegal Celtic then started to come more into the game as the Loughgall players were slow to react and close their opponents down, allowing them too much time on the ball. Dale Mulligan and Kyle Gilmore were starved of any service as too often Loughgall gave possession away.

A long range looping effort from Donegal Celtic then squirmed under the body of Daniel Acheson to bring the sides level and give Donegal Celtic a real lift. Loughgall now showed more urgency but still struggled to string more than two passes together as Donegal competed well.

A long ball into the heart of the Loughgall defence caused hesitation and the Donegal Celtic striker was allowed to poke the ball narrowly wide, much to the relief of Loughgall.

With half time approaching Daniel Neill and William Graham combined to find Adam Alexander and his wicked cross just eluded Dale Mulligan but was slammed home at the back post by the in rushing Jordan Finlay to give Loughgall a half time lead.

Changes were made at half time in the Loughgall ranks to try and freshen things up, but it was Donegal Celtic who were next on the score sheet when another long ball was allowed to bounce deep in the Loughgall half and Donegal reacted quickest to fire the ball past Daniel Acheson to bring the sides level.

Loughgall now lifted the pace, but were struggling to find the killer pass, but they did manage to force a number of corners. It was from one of these corners which was taken quickly that Kyle Gilmore and Adam Alexander combined to find Daniel Neill on the edge of the box to drill a fantastic low shot into the Donegal Celtic net via the post.

Loughgall were now finishing strongly as Jordan Finlay’s looping effort was pushed away by the Donegal keeper to William Graham who spun to clip a great shot back over the head of the Donegal Celtic from a tight angle to make sure of the win.

There was still time left for Loughgall to add a fifth and William Graham to complete his hat trick when Adam Alexander beat his man and swung over a great cross for William Graham to tap in from close range to complete the scoring.

The boys are enjoying a great run of form at the minute with 21 points now won out of the last 24 possible. Today the majority of the boys were below par but still had enough to get the job done and win the game, so credit to them. Some of our spectators and parents have to accept that the team will not always be at its best and that the boys would benefit more from encouragement and positivity rather than being put under pressure.

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

Loughgall Youths Scorers:  Jordan Finlay, William Graham (3) & Daniel Neill.

Loughgall Youth Man of the Match: William Graham
 

From the first whistle Coleraine applied the pressure with some impressive passing and through balls, showing why they sit top of the Mid Ulster League with a 100% record. Immediately causing Loughgall’s defence problems. Although both teams had shooting opportunities within the first few minutes Coleraine were first to hit the back of the net on the 5min mark with a powerful low shot to the bottom left corner. Loughgall’s back four of; Ryan Parr, Matthew Cupples, Joel Paynter and Jamie Barbour although working hard just could not contain Coleraines ability and confidence on the ball.

With Luke Cartwright, Ryan Faulkner, Luke Murray, Rhys McMaster and Tim Wharton also working extremely hard in mid-field and Luke Cartwright, Luke Murray and Tim Wharton in particular impressing, along with Loughgalls striker Kyle West, they just couldn’t find the net.  Coleraine rained shots at Loughgall’s hard working keeper, Connor Brown, and despite a few decent stops ,scored another 2 goals. Loughgall’s Luke Murray then hit Coleraines side netting on 18mins. Coleraine displayed more clinical finishing before Tim Wharton got Loughgall’s first on 29mins emanating from a great pass by Luke Cartwright.

The 2nd half continued much as the first and Loughgall’s subs, Jake Shields and Zane Brown played their part in restraining Coleraines prowess to some extent. Matthew Cupples and Joel Paynter in particular, again made Coleraine work hard for their rewards as they again found the back of the Loughgall net on a number of occasions. Loughgall continued to be dangerous on the break, some of the pressure applied by Loughgall forcing a defensive error by Coleraine, resulting in Loughgalls 2nd goal of the game.

Loughgall Youth Scorers: Tim Wharton & Own Goal.

Squad: Connor Brown, Ryan Parr, Matthew Cupples, Joel Paynter, Jamie Barbour, Luke Cartwright, Ryan Faulkner, Luke Murray, Rhys McMaster, Tim Wharton, Kyle West, Zane Brown and Jake Shields.

Man of the Match - Matthew Cupples.

Loughgall Youth looked to continue their recent run of excellent form as they made a good start against Hillsborough Boys, pegging them back in their own half in the early stages.

A slick Loughgall move involving Jordan Finlay, William Graham, Kyle Gilmore and Jonathan Ewart saw Dale Mulligan’s near post snap shot parried to safety by the busy Hillsborough keeper.

Hillsborough gradually started to come more into the game as they attacked down the hill and Scott McCann, Jordan Finlay, Josh Woods and Jack Hamilton had to be alert across the Loughgall defence. Daniel Neill and William Graham were bossing the central midfield area, but it was in wide areas that Hillsborough were most threatening.

Loughgall continued to dominate possession but found the Hillsborough keeper in inspired form as he was quick of his line on a number of occasions to clear the danger. Loughgall were playing with lots hunger and biting into the tackle as they competed for every ball well.

Hillsborough were then very fortunate to open the scoring when a misplaced Loughgall goal kick gifted their striker the opening goal against the run of play. Loughgall didn’t let their heads drop and continued to enjoy the bulk of possession but just could not find a way past the Hillsborough keeper.

Adam Alexander and Jack Hamilton were kept busy as the bulk of the Hillsborough attacks were coming down the Loughgall left. Then on the stroke of half time an attempted Loughgall clearance failed to go out for a throw in, Hillsborough broke and whipped a dangerous cross into the Loughgall six yard box which was squeezed in between Daniel Acheson and his near post to leave Loughgall trailing by two goals at the interval despite enjoying the upper hand.

Credit to Loughgall as they came out with a real positive attitude in the second half, despite the scoreline. Loughgall forced a number of corners as Hillsborough defended well. The pressure was building as Sam Gibbons and William Graham combined to release Kyle Gilmore whose cross found Adam Alexander and his shot was straight at the keeper who again saved well.

Loughgall were now attacking with real purpose as James Orr released Jordan Finlay and his well struck looping effort just went past the far post. Jonathan Ewart was then upended on the edge of the box and Kyle Gilmore’s free kick went agonizingly wide.

Another Loughgall attack saw Daniel Neill and William Graham combined to send Jordan Finlay clear but he failed to connect cleanly when well placed. Another dangerous Loughgall corner caused panic in the Hillsborough box, but the ball just would not break as Adam Alexander and William Graham’s shots were blocked and the danger hacked clear.

Hillsborough always threatened on the break as Loughgall committed men forward and Sam Gibbons had to make a fantastic tackle to keep them at bay. Time was now running out as Loughgall continued in search of a goal which their play certainly deserved, and they thought they had it when Adam Alexander’s cross found Jonathan Ewart and his looping header sailed narrowly wide from 8 yards.

The final whistle sounded on what was a disappointing result, but another excellent performance from the boys. If nothing else, today proved that this team is good enough to be competing at the very top of the league, but to do that they must start to take their chances and turn their excellent approach play and dominance into goals and also cut out the defensive mistakes as the best teams punish them.

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

Loughgall Youth Man of the Match: William Graham

Lisburn League Squad: Scott McCann
 

Mid Ulster League Squad: Ryan Faulkner

 Congratulations boys and keep up the good work!