Loughgall 3 - 0 Coagh United

The Villagers recorded an impressive result away to Coagh United thanks to a double from winger Ryan Moffatt and a great finish from Brian Adair.
Loughgall started with a changed defensive backline as Glenn Waddell was repositioned to left back in Bryan Pentland’s absence while Noel Robinson dropped back into the right back position.  Neil Alderdice continued alongside Alan Murphy after an impressive performance in last weeks semi final victory over Ards. 
Lukasz Adamczyk was also brought back into the starting line up by manager Niall Currie and it was him who had the first chance after 14 minutes.  A long ball presented Adamczyk the chance to head home under no pressure however the striker saw his effort narrowly go over the crossbar.  1 minute later Loughgall took the lead when Marty Lavery’s driven cross was adjudged to have been handled by defender Davy Calderwood inside the penalty area.  Ryan Moffatt stepped up and struck the ball past ‘keeper Johnny Pollock low into the left corner.
A missed defensive header by Neil Alderdice on 20 minutes presented the ball to Gregory Stewart who ran to the byline before trying to find strike partner Scott McCordick however the ex-Loughgall man couldn’t connect with the pass.  After 21 minutes Coagh dangerman Jamie Tumelty forced a good save from Marc Robinson with a good shot from outside the box.
On the half hour mark McCordick saw his 25 yard effort from a free kick easily saved by ‘keeper Robinson.  2 minutes before the interval Andy Brown released Adamczyk who played a clever pass back allowing Brown to test Pollock with a curling effort from the edge of the box.  On 45 minutes Loughgall had a great chance to extend their lead whenever Brian Adair raced onto Adamczyk’s excellent pass.  Adair was one-on-one with Pollock and the ‘keeper did well to deflect his effort into the air, then Adair headed the resulting ball off the crossbar before it was cleared to safety.
There could have been some goals just after the break whenever Gareth Reid took a shot from 25 yards which wickedly deflected off Murphy before narrowly going wide and 2 minutes later Murphy headed a Moffatt corner wide.  On 51 minutes Adair collected Adamczyk’s intelligent pass and showed good control inside the box to fire past Pollock in off the post.  1 minute later United striker Stewart fired wide with a left footed effort when well placed.  On 71 minutes substitute Andy Smith struck a fierce drive from outside the box however the midfielder’s effort didn’t trouble Pollock in the home goals.  With 15 minutes remaining Tumelty collected the ball down the left flank before squaring across goal however none of his teammates were alert to convert the chance.  2 minutes later Tumelty floated a free kick which substitute Marcus Dallas missed a free header sending the ball wide when well placed.  On 80 minutes Raymond Wilkinson almost scored Loughgall’s third as the substitute forced Pollock into a smart save to push the ball past the post.  In injury time the visitors sealed their win whenever a counter attack resulted in Moffatt scoring his second of the game.  Substitute Dean Smith, back after a spell on the sidelines, performed a quick turn and cross in the box allowing Moffatt the simple task of heading home from close range.

 

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, N Robinson, Alderdice, Murphy, Herron, Moffatt, Adair (A Smith 58m), Adamczyk (Wilkinson 79m), Brown (D Smith 68m), Lavery.  Subs not used: Allen, Fitzpatrick.

Coagh United: Pollock, K Ferguson, Thornton, Calderwood, Hawe, Cowden, Tumelty, Reid (J Ferguson 68m), McCordick (G McMenemy 85m), M McMenemy, Stewart (Dallas 68m).

Referee: Tony Forde (Craigavon)