Loughgall 2 - 2 Lurgan Celtic

An injury time equaliser from winger Ryan Moffatt spared Loughgall in an extremely physical encounter against rivals Lurgan Celtic.  The Villagers were forced to play most of the game with only ten players as midfielder Andy Smith was sent off in the first period for lashing out at an opponent, while Celtic also ended up with a man sent off.  Goalkeeper Steven Haveron was dismissed in injury time for dissent following Moffatt’s equaliser. 
Boss Niall Currie rewarded Dean Smith with a place in the starting line-up following his goal in last weeks victory over Comber Rec, while there was a place on the bench for recent signing Paul Baron.

The opener came after only 2 minutes when Alan Murphy converted from a corner.  Noel Robinson delivered a perfect ball and after a scramble in the penalty area, the influential Murphy rifled home from close range.  5 minutes later, the visitors should have extended their lead, however Noel Robinson directed his free header over the crossbar.  The turning point in the game came in the 19th minute when Loughgall, strolling through the game, were reduced to ten men after Andy Smith elbowed Gary Magennis in an off the ball incident.  Despite having a man advantage Celtic failed to create any opportunities in the first half while Ryan Moffatt came closest for Loughgall when his fierce drive from outside the area went agonisingly just over the crossbar.
The Villagers infact struck the crossbar 4 minutes into the second period when Murphy headed Moffatt’s corner against it, the rebound couldn’t be converted as Lurgan Celtic did well to clear their lines.
Lukasz Adamczyk’s broke down the left flank on 50 minutes and played an inside pass to Moffatt however the tricky winger saw his effort excellently saved down to ‘keeper Steven Haveron’s left.  Lurgan Celtic started to exert themselves well and almost grabbed a leveller 1 minute later only for John Joe Maguire to see his looping header go narrow over the crossbar.  On 53 minutes, Celtic equalised when Haveron’s long clearance was latched onto by pacy striker Ryan Murphy and he calmly finished past ‘keeper Marc Robinson.
Glenn Waddell delivered a dangerous free kick on 55 minutes which Dean Smith did well to glance towards goal however ‘keeper Haveron was equal to the header.  Ryan Murphy looked dangerous in attack and he tested ‘keeper Marc Robinson with a low shot from 25 yards after 66 minutes.  The home side took the lead in the 70th minute when Maguire volleyed home from Ryan Murphy’s cross from inside the penalty area.
Loughgall pushed forward in search of an equaliser and nearly grabbed it with just 2 minutes remaining as substitute Paul Baron touched on Adamczyk’s cross, however Ronan O’Hara cleared on the goal line. 
The leveller came in bizarre circumstances when in injury time Celtic ‘keeper Steven Haveron lifted the ball for a second time after he claimed referee Stuart Blair had given a free kick following a scuffle in the penalty area.  When Haveron lifted the ball again referee Blair awarded an indirect free kick from which Moffatt converted at the third attempt.  Amazingly Haveron was dismissed moments later for dissent towards the referee.

 

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, A Smith, Moffatt, Pentland (Herron 67m), Adamczyk, N Robinson (Lavery 57m), D Smith (Baron 57m). Subs not used: O’Neill, Brown.

Lurgan Celtic: Haveron, G Murphy, McEvoy, McAnnalen, McGibbon (McGrath 54m), Rooney, R Murphy, Magennis, McArdle, Maguire, Lavery (O’Hara 78m). Subs not used: Dummighan, Gowdy.

Referee: Stuart Blair (Enniskillen).