Loughgall 2 - 1 Brantwood

Loughgall came back from a goal down at the break to defeat resilient Brantwood and progress to the next round of the WKD Intermediate Cup.
There were little opportunities during the opening stages of the first half as both teams cancelled each other out.
On 20 minutes Andy Uprichard, making his first start since joining from Glenavon, played in a great cross which striker Lukasz Adamczyk connected well with.  Brantwood ‘keeper David Rowan did excellently to somehow push the ball over the crossbar.
The visitors grabbed the opener against the run of play on 23 minutes when a poor clearance from Ritchie Allen fell to Craig Patterson and he delightfully chipped Loughgall ‘keeper Marc Robinson from 25 yards.
Loughgall looking an immediate response saw a Dean Smith header cleared off the line after 28 minutes following Ryan Moffatt’s delivery from a corner.
The home side continued to threaten and almost scored from a number of corner kicks.  On 39 minutes good play by Adamczyk was followed by the striker laying off to Moffatt however the winger’s effort was narrowly wide.
One minute before the break Moffatt beat two defenders down the left wing before crossing into the penalty area.  Striker Dean Smith headed over from close range when he could have done better.  In injury time striker Ryan Harvey almost doubled Brantwoods lead when his shot was superbly saved by ‘keeper Robinson down to his right.
Two minutes following the interval the away side found themselves reduced to ten men when midweek goal hero Darren Munster was dismissed following an altercation with Glenn Waddell.
Loughgall, now with the initiative, almost equalised when Brantwood defender Simon McWilliams glanced Waddell’s cross towards goal and he will be thankful that ‘keeper Rowan was able to tip it past the post.
On the hour mark the home side levelled through a composed Dean Smith penalty when Glen Whyte upended Adamczyk in the penalty area.  Loughgall continued to attack and Andy Smith went closest with a low drive that was easily collected by ‘keeper Rowan.
The Villagers scored the winner with 20 minutes remaining when the impressive Moffatt skilfully beat four defenders before playing an intelligent pass into Adamczyk’s path.  The striker calmly chipped over the ‘keeper from close range.
Loughgall could have extended their lead when in the last 5 minutes both Andy Brown and Dean Smith headed over from point blank range.

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Pentland (Alderdice 74m), Allen, Murphy, Herron (Brown 53m), Moffatt, A Smith, Adamczyk, Uprichard (N Robinson 64m), D Smith.  Subs not used: O’Neill, Fitzpatrick.

Brantwood: Rowan, Whyte, Lecky, McWilliams, Mason, Patterson (McIntyre 80m), Nelson, McCleery (McArthur 34m), Harvey, Porter, Munster.  Subs not used: Speers.

Referee: S Corrigan (Omagh)