Loughgall 2 - 1 Comber Rec

Loughgall secured their passage through into the next stage of the WKD Intermediate Cup thanks to a hard fought victory over a determined Comber Rec outfit.  Forward Lukasz Adamczyk scored his third goal in his last 4 games while Dean Smith came off the bench to score the winner.
The Villagers welcomed back Alan Murphy to the starting line-up in place of Richie Allen having missed the remarkable 6 – 3 victory over Glenavon last week due to suspension, while both Dean Smith and Willie Herron returned to the squad following one-game suspensions.
Both sides created opportunities in the opening stages with Loughgall striker Andy Brown nearly finishing in the first minute when he flicked Glenn Waddell’s free kick goalwards only for ‘keeper Brian Burgess to push past the post.
On 3 minutes a defensive lapse by Neil Alderdice presented Gordon Leckey with a great chance on the edge of the box, however his effort was rushed and it sailed over the crossbar.
The home side should have taken the lead in the eleventh minute only for Leckey to poorly direct his free header straight into ‘keeper Marc Robinson’s grasp.
On 20 minutes away striker Lukasz Adamczyk headed Ryan Moffatt’s corner towards the goal however ‘keeper Burgess was assured and comfortably collected the ball.
Good build up play after 30 minutes resulted in Ryan Moffatt having a header from close range however the winger didn’t have enough power in the effort to beat ‘keeper Burgess.
On 34 minutes the dangerous Leckey drifted inside from the right wing before dispatching a left footed drive which crept wide of the near post.
After 53 minutes Bryan Pentland, playing in central midfield, saw his half volley from outside the penalty area rise above the crossbar.  Loughgall scored on the hour mark in somewhat bizarre fashion when Andy Brown headed a cross over the goal line yet referee Mervyn Smith didn’t award the goal!  The ball was subsequently cleared from behind the line and it fell to fellow striker Adamczyk who showed great composure to rifle the ball home from close range and claim the strike.
The hosts had an excellent opportunity to equalise 8 minutes later when Craig McCracken and Jim McCloskey exchanged passes before the latter dragged his shot wide of the mark when he should have done better.
Just 1 minute later the Villagers extended their lead as substitute Dean Smith headed in his 23rd goal of the season following a perfectly delivered Alderdice free kick.
Comber set up an exciting finish when Ross Hagan capitalised on a defensive mistake to curl in from 30 yards with 10 minutes remaining.

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, A Smith, Moffatt, Pentland, Adamczyk, Brown (D Smith 61m), N Robinson.  Subs not used: Allen, Lavery, O’Neill, Herron.

Comber Rec: Burgess, Leckey (Monson 77m), Larmour, Kelly, Hagan, Doherty, McCracken, Magowan (Massey 65m), Ritchie, Robinson (Walsh 61m), McCloskey.  Sub not used: Bowers.

Referee: Mervyn Smith (Belfast)