Loughgall 1 - 0 Ards

Loughgall completed a fantastic clean sweep thanks to a second half header from Dean Smith.  Despite a below par performance the Villagers battled to success against a strong Ards side.
Ards had a couple of early chances when Ricky Billing and Johnny Roy went close and in the 10th minute Craig McMillan should have connected with Roy’s deep cross.
Loughgall’s first threat on Andy McDonald’s goal came after 31 minutes when Dean Smith battled for possession to set up strike partner Andy Brown for a snapshot which was easily saved.
Dean Smith controlled the ball on 39 minutes before firing an effort just past the post when well placed.
Loughgall suffered a scare seconds after the second half began when Billing drilled a powerful shot from 25 yards off the outside of the post.  On the hour mark Kris Pike’s sweetly struck free kick didn’t trouble Marc Robinson as it flew over.
The goal came in the 64th minute when Pike’s attempted clearance was headed By Dean Smith beyond the reach of McDonald into the back of the net for his 31st goal of the season.
Two minutes later the lead could have been doubled when Ryan Moffatt’s well delivered corner was nodded just over by Brown at the near post.
A tremendous match-winning save from Marc Robinson frustrated Darren Stirling with 20 minutes remaining and his parry fell to Roy who wastefully blazed over when he should have kept it on target.
On 76 minutes Darren Nixon well-driven effort was pushed away to safety by Robinson as Ards failed to create any clear cut opportunities as the game fizzled out.

Loughgall: Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron (Lavery 35m), Moffatt, A Smith, Brown, Adair (Walker 88m), D Smith.  Subs not used: Adamczyk, Allen, Pentland

Ards: McDonald, Nixon, Pike, Spence, Wilson, McMillan, Stirling, McKee, Billing (McBride 77m), Roy, Clifford (Cully 86m).  Subs not used: Johnston, Parker, Sharratt.

Referee: S Creaney (Newtonards)