Loughgall 2 - 0 Coagh United

Loughgall defeated rivals Coagh United with two first half goals in order to leapfrog them to finish top of the Carnegie League Cup Group B.
The home side opened the scoring in this vital clash after only 4 minutes, when ex-Coagh striker Dean Smith beat his marker to head home Ryan Moffatt’s corner at the near post.  The game started physically with rough challenges being made, in the opening 20 minutes Loughgall had to make two substitutions as Marty Lavery and Glenn Waddell both suffered head injuries.  On 26 minutes a long forward ball by Andy Smith, now repositioned at right back, was flicked on by substitute Fitzpatrick.  Moffatt raced on and beat ‘keeper Pollock to it only to see his effort blazed wide.  A minute later the Villagers doubled their lead as Moffatt expertly placed his free kick onto Peden’s head allowing the central defender to finish at the near post.  As the half came to a close Coagh had a number of chances, on 36 minutes McMenemy and Tomelty combined and the latter tested Robinson in the home goals with a 25 yard curling effort.  Tomelty again saw his left-footed effort run harmlessly wide when well placed one minute before the break.
After the interval the home side pushed for a third goal and almost scored when Fitzpatrick headed Moffatt’s dangerous free-kick towards the back post.  Pollock pulled off an excellent save in order to push the ball past the post.  The away side’s best opportunity came after 72 minutes when Aaron Thornton released Scott Cowan who unleashed a well-struck shot which crashed off the post and to safety.  Fitzpatrick had another good chance for Loughgall and was unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the box creep past the post on 80 minutes.  The home defence was being severely tested as Coagh chased the game late on and did well to limit the away side to a Scott McCordick free-kick on the edge of the box which was easily saved by Robinson.  Indeed Loughgall could have wrapped up the game in the final few minutes as they created good chances on the counter attack.  Peden almost scored his second of the game, only for a remarkable save by Pollock on the goal line in the 88th minute. 

 

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Pentland, Peden, Murphy, A Smith, Moffatt, Adair, Lavery, N Robinson, D Smith.  Subs: Herron, Dickson, Adamczyk, Fitzpatrick, Brown.

Coagh United: Pollock, W Ferguson, J Ferguson, Calderwood, Hawe, Cowden, Tomelty, Reid, McCordick, McMenemy, Thornton.  Subs: S Dallas, Stewart, M Dallas.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Enniskillen)