Loughgall 4 – 2 Armagh City

D Smith 9m	O'Neill 22m
Baron 35m	Campbell (p) 38m
Toal (o.g.) 60m
A Smith 83m

Loughgall grabbed their first victory of the season beating fierce local rivals Armagh City in an incident-packed game.  Six goals and two red cards served up great entertainment as both sides looked to earn early season bragging rights.
The hosts broke the deadlock after only 9 minutes when new signing Davy Hawthorne excellently found space in the City penalty area before playing in Dean Smith who coolly picked his spot beyond ‘keeper Paul Colgan.  Loughgall threatened before that when Paul Baron raced a ball across goal with no one at the back post to tap home.
On 21 minutes Paedar Toal almost scored an own goal when he nodded Ryan Moffatt’s cross against his own crossbar.  One minute later the visitors were level when Liam Cullen’s deep cross was headed home by Mickey O’Neill.  On the half hour both sides were reduced to ten men when Willie Herron and Shane McGeown were dismissed.  The Villagers regained their lead on 35 minutes when Andy Smith’s cross was headed home at the back post by Paul Baron.  Within 3 minutes City were level in controversial fashion, referee Arnold Hunter adjudged Andy Smith of upending Shea Campbell in the penalty area much to the dismay of the Loughgall players.  Campbell stepped up to blast home from the penalty spot.
Loughgall dominated the second half and could have taken the lead again early on when Dean Smith forced ‘keeper Colgan into two smart saves.  The goal came on 60 minutes courtesy of City defender Toal who headed past Colgan under good pressure from Dean Smith. 
4 minutes later Moffatt was unlucky to see his well driven shot from outside the box end up safely in Colgan’s hands.  Colgan again came to City’s rescue in the second period when he tipped ex-Armagh captain Alan Murphy’s flick-on over the crossbar. 
The Eagles were restricted to long range efforts and Peter McNeill couldn’t keep his 25-yard strike on target.  The clincher came with 7 minutes remaining when Andy Smith, having an impressive game as right back, beat Colgan at his front post from a narrow angle with a powerful strike.

Date: Tuesday 5th August 2008
Competition: IFA Championship
Venue: Lakeview Park, Loughgall
Kick-Off: 7.45pm

Loughgall: Robinson, A Smith, Pentland, Alderdice, Murphy, Herron, Moffatt, Hawthorne (Hamilton 67m), Baron (Brown 60m), Adair, D Smith (Clarke 87m).

Armagh City: Colgan, O’Neill (McCone 60m), Walker, McGeown, McGuigan (Murray 87m), Toal, McCann, Cullen, Campbell, Coney, McNeill.
Subs not used: Hamilton, McSorley, Stewart.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Enniskillen).