Loughgall 0 - 3 Linfield

David Jeffrey’s 600th game in charge of the Irish Cup holders Linfield saw star striker Peter Thompson continue his recent goalscoring exploits to knock first division leaders Loughgall out of the JJB Sport Irish Cup.
Loughgall made four changes to the side that lost to Dundela two weeks ago with Dean Smith and Lukasz Adamczyk coming in to play alongside each other upfront.  Glenn Waddell replaced Bryan Pentland at left back and Noel Robinson came in for Marty Lavery on the right wing.
The visitor’s first effort on goal was from Damien Curran’s free kick after 5 minutes however it was collected safely by home ‘keeper Marc Robinson.
On 9 minutes there was goalmouth action in the Loughgall end when Robinson’s poor clearance landed to Peter Thompson however he struggled to get the ball onto his favoured right foot and so the chance passed.
Linfield were threatening early on with a number of dangerous free kicks expertly delivered by ex-Newry man Curran.
Livewire striker Thomas Stewart played a great inside pass to which Michael Gault was running onto; the midfielder proceeded in to the penalty area only to be stopped by an excellent Neil Alderdice tackle. 
The home side were restricted to counter attacks and set pieces as Linfield dominated proceedings.  Glenn Waddell’s free kick was cleared and the ball fell back to the defender, his shot crept wide of the post.
There was a real scare for Loughgall on 32 minutes when Peter Thompson beat ‘keeper Marc Robinson to flick on Curran’s perfect delivery from a free kick.  His header however wasn’t on target as it sailed over the crossbar.
All that was missing from Linfield’s tremendous first half performance was a goal however their fans only had to wait 2 minutes after the interval for their side to open the scoring.
The goal came from a goalkeeping mistake from Robinson as he spilled Paul McAreavey’s free kick and Pistol Peter Thompson pounced to convert from close range.
Linfield doubled their advantage after 70 minutes following another defensive mistake when Glenn Waddell failed to clear and Peter Thompson robbed him of the ball before slotting home from 18 yards.
Loughgall started to put pressure on the holders and almost grabbed a goal on 72 minutes when substitute Marty Lavery’s corner was headed onto the crossbar by striker Dean Smith.
The home side hit the crossbar again 7 minutes later when Lavery rattled it from 25 yards.
The win was wrapped up on 84 minutes when Thomas Stewart collected the ball on the left wing and his attacking run ended in the striker beating Robinson from outside the penalty area with a low shot.

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffatt, Adair (Pentland 83m), Adamczyk, N Robinson (Lavery 64m), Smith (Brown 86m).  Subs not used: Allen, Uprichard.

Linfield: Mannus, Ervin, Lindsay, Murphy, O’Kane, Gault (Kearney 76m), McAreavey (Dickson 87m), Downey, Curran, Thompson (Ferguson 80m), Stewart.  Subs not used: McCann, Dickson.

Referee: Trevor Moutray (Belfast)