Loughgall 5 - 0 Portstewart

Loughgall continued their impressive winning streak with this five goal demolition away to Portstewart.  The Villagers dominated the opening stages and were four goals ahead after only 27 minutes.  Dean Smith netted a second successive brace to bring his goal tally to 14 in 14 competitive starts for Loughgall.
Glenn Waddell opened the scoring after only 3 minutes when a well worked free kick routine with Ryan Moffatt was rifled past ‘keeper Matthew McGran from the edge of the penalty area.  On 11 minutes Lukasz Adamczyk slipped a ball through to strike partner Dean Smith who saw his first time shot blocked by ‘keeper McGran who also did brilliantly to save Adamczyk’s follow up effort.
1 minute later Loughgall doubled their tally when Smith cleverly nutmegged a defender on the touchline before squaring the ball to allow Adamczyk to tap home from close range.  The hosts had a couple of half chances when Martin Smith headed over on 16 minutes and 2 minutes later Simon Cheuk failed to hit the target from 25 yards.
An intelligent free kick on 20 minutes was almost converted by Moffatt however the winger saw his left footed strike rise over the crossbar.
3 minutes later Moffatt got his reward when he volleyed a Smith flick-on with great power past the helpless McGran in the home goals.  Moffatt was also involved in the fourth goal on 27 minutes when he was taken down inside the penalty by Lee Rushe.  Smith confidently stepped up and found he bottom corner.  The remainder of the first period saw very little chances being created for both sides.
Shortly after the interval substitute Noel Robinson’s long throw in was almost turned in by Smith only for ‘keeper McGran to push it past the post.  On 72 minutes Darragh Peden  nearly scored his first league goal of the season but headed Moffatts floated corner just wide.
After 76 minutes Brian Adair was involved with good build-up play before seeing his effort deflected onto the post with the ‘keeper stranded.
With 9 minutes remaining Smith completed the route after a defensive mistake from Portstewart.  Brian Whiteside’s pass back to ‘keeper McGran was short and Smith intercepted to slot home from inside the box. 
The home side’s best opportunity of the game came in the last 5 minutes when Cheuks cross was guided over the crossbar by Alan Gaston when he really should have done better.

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell (N Robinson 45), Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffatt, Adair (O’Neill 80m), Adamczyk (Brown 80m), Lavery, Smith.  Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, Allen.

Portstewart: McGran, Rushe (Duggan 45m), Lynch, Taylor, Whiteside, Moffett, Thompson (McCallister 65m), Smith (Quinn79m), Cheuk, Clanaghan, Gaston.  Subs not used: Tosh, McFadden.

Referee: Tony Young (Coleraine)