Loughgall 2 - 1 Newington

First Division leaders Loughgall had Captain Darragh Peden to thank as his header three minutes from time secured the Co. Armagh sides win over Newington and their place in this seasons WKD Intermediate Cup final. In a tightly contested game Loughgall had earlier taken the lead in the 21st minute when Andy Brown flicked on Neil Alderdice’s free kick and Dean Smith was quickest to react.  The striker steadied himself before firing low into the bottom corner of the net.
On 26 minutes Brown skilfully beat his marker before curling wide of the mark from outside the penalty area.  One minute later Dean Smith almost grabbed his second however he couldn’t keep his header from Marty Lavery’s corner on target.
After 36 minutes Dean Smith did well to hold the ball up and Willie Herron played an excellent through ball to Lavery rushing down on goal.  The winger shot low from a tight angle which ‘keeper Paul Snodden did well to block.
Newington levelled two minutes before the break when Neil Quinn blasted home from inside the penalty area beyond ‘keeper Marc Robinson.
8 minutes after the interval a dangerous corner from Newington almost punished the Villagers however Michael Morgan failed to apply the finish when he lost his marker.
On 65 minutes Northern Ireland junior international striker Thomas Duffy’s inside pass to Quinn saw the striker shot low goalwards.  Goalkeeper Robinson performed a smart save down to his left to keep the scores even.
3 minutes later Peden’s ball across goal should have been turned in by Dean Smith however his effort rose above the crossbar.
On 70 minutes Andy Brown saw his shot from inside the penalty area saved and rebound onto the top of the crossbar and out for a corner.
The winner came when Glenn Waddell launched a long free kick into the penalty area.  Peden outjumped ‘keeper Snodden and his headed effort landed into the net despite the best attempts from the Newington backline.

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffatt, A Smith, Brown, Lavery, D Smith.  Subs not used: O’Neill, Walker, Uprichard, Stewart, Dickson.

Newington: Snodden, Lyttle (Farrell 88m), Healey, Morgan, Adams, Lyndsay (McAlea 75m), Quinn, Burns, Duffy, Taggart, Brannigan.  Subs not used: Murray, Berne, Smyth.

Referee: David Dunlop (Crumlin)

WKD Man of the Match: Alan Murphy