Loughgall 1 - 1 Bangor

A well-fought point was the reward for Loughgall when they faced a determined Bangor side looking for their first win over the Villagers.  Alan Murphy headed home at the near post just before the interval to give Loughgall the lead.  Ryan Brown 2 netted the equaliser 5 minutes after half time and there were chances for both sides to grab a winner.  In the only change from last weeks victory over Banbridge Town, Andy Brown came in to partner Dean Smith replacing Paul Baron.
Loughgall could have taken an early lead when Alan Murphy directed Marty Lavery’s corner towards the back post where John Ballie was well positioned to clear off the line.
The hosts first effort on goal came 3 minutes later when David Irvine flashed a blistering half volley which ‘keeper Marc Robinson did fantastically well to save.
On 14 minutes Dean Smith almost re-enacted his winning goal in the Carnegie League Cup final when he lobbed ‘keeper Ryan Brown 1 only this time there was too much strength in the effort.
Bangor midfielder Grant Gardiner attempted an ambitious left footed strike which was always rising and didn’t trouble Robinson in the Loughgall goals.
The Villagers opened the scoring on the stroke of half time when Alan Murphy managed to get his head onto Ryan Moffatt’s curling corner and his header flew into the net despite the best attempts of former Loughgall player Paul Harbinson on the goal line.
Loughgall started the second half well and could have extended their lead early on.  Left back Glenn Waddell failed to keep his shot on target from a tight angle while on 49 minutes he played a short pass to Moffatt and the winger shot narrowly wide from outside the penalty area.
The hosts levelled in the 50th minute when Andy Forsythe’s cross from the left wing evaded everyone except Ryan Brown 2 who easily finished from 5 yards.
A good interchange between Dean Smith and substitute Adam Nesbitt saw Smith test Brown 1 with a low shot on 65 minutes.
Forsythe was having a good game on the left flank for the Seasiders and his floated cross on 71 minutes was glanced wide by Andy Morrow when he should have kept it on target.
Andy Uprichard on a substitute had two good efforts in the later stages of the second period however he couldn’t keep either shot down to trouble ‘keeper Brown 1.
Loughgall could have snatched the win in injury time when Darragh Peden’s long throw-in caused problems in the Bangor penalty area.  Dean Smith hit a snapshot on the turn which ended up over the crossbar.

Bangor: R Brown 1, Bailie (Rezai 45m), Beggs, Gilmore, R Brown 2, Harbinson, Gardiner, Irvine, Morrow, Verner (Fitzgerald 63m), Forsythe (Collier 83m). Subs not used: Melly, Bell.

Loughgall: Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice (Adair 57m), Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffett (Uprichard 70m), A Smith, A Brown (Nesbitt 63m), Lavery, D Smith. Subs not used: Allen, Walker.

Referee: Mr R Crangle.