Loughgall 1 - 0 H&W Welders

A much changed Loughgall side had goalkeeper Marc Robinson to thank as he made several great saves and also thwarted a second-half penalty to ensure Paul Baron’s goal secured the win on Tuesday night past. 
The Villagers could have taken the lead after only 7 minutes when Richie Allen was left unmarked at Scott Walker’s free kick, however, the central defender glanced his header wide of the mark.
On 17 minutes Mark Roy forced Robinson into a great reaction save to tip his header over the crossbar from close range.
In the space of the next 5 minutes the Welders were presented with a number of good opportunities.  Roy’s pass through the defensive line to the onside Mark Craig gave the striker plenty of time to pick his spot beyond Robinson, however, he only succeeded in dragging his effort past the post.  Craig again was involved when good play saw the ball fall kindly to the striker; he steadied himself before firing a well-struck volley, which again was off-target.
On the stroke of half time Baron saw his powerful shot saved low to James Thompson’s left.
Shortly after the interval Bryan Pentlands cross into the box was nodded down by Andy Uprichard for Paul Baron to hit on the half volley, however, Stevie Livingstone superbly blocked.  In the 62nd minute Loughgall defender Stuart Cochrane almost inadvertently turned in a corner to score an own goal on his full debut only for Robinson’s reflex save to clear the danger.  3 minutes later Roy unleashed a speculative blast from 40 yards which was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by ‘keeper Robinson before the rebound was wasted by Mark Finn.
Colin Adams was adjudged to upend an opponent in the penalty area to which Mark Craig stepped up to the take.  The Welders striker shot low to Robinsons left where the ‘keeper did fantastically well to push clear.
Just 2 minutes later Loughgall had scored the winner when substitute Glenn Clarke’s pass to Dean Smith was flicked into Barons path.  The striker found the bottom corner of the net with ease for his fourth goal since returning to Lakeview in January.
The visitors pressed for an equaliser and almost scored it with 5 minutes remaining when Roy’s crisp shot, heading for the top corner, produced a great save from goalkeeper Robinson.

Loughgall: Robinson, Walker, Pentland (McDonald 68m), Allen, Cochrane, Herron, Uprichard, Adams, Baron, Nesbitt (D Smith 53m), Dickson (Clarke 47m).  Subs not used: Alderdice, Moffatt.

HW Welders: Thompson, Murray, Aston, McCelland, Livingstone (Wallace 68m), Stewart, Johnston, Dickson, Craig (McQuillan 80m), Finn (Upton 68m), Roy.  Subs: Wallace, Upton, McQuillan.

Referee: P Walker (Tandragee)