Loughgall 3 - 1 Banbridge Town

Three goals in a remarkable three minute spell in the first half earned Loughgall full points when they travelled to face in-form Banbridge Town.
Following last weeks two-goal victory over basement side Portstewart, Niall Currie started opening scorer Paul Baron in place of Andy Brown who dropped to the bench.  Captain Darragh Peden regained his place in the starting line-up after overcoming flu replacing Brian Adair.
Baron almost paid back Currie’s judgement in the second minute when goalkeeper Marc Robinson’s long clearance was flicked on by Dean Smith and striker Baron struck a powerful volley which William McFrederick in the home goals did well to parry.
The opener came somewhat against the run of play when Ryan Evans collected a throw-in before a neat turn at the byline.  The tricky winger rifled home from an acute angle after 10 minutes.
The leveller came on 19 minutes when another long clearance fell into Baron’s path and he composed himself to turn inside and find the bottom corner of the net with a firmly struck left footed shot.
The Villagers were awarded a questionable penalty one minute later when Alan Murphy was adjudged to be upended in the penalty area following Peden’s long throw.  Dean Smith stepped up and scored his 24th goal of the season in all competitions.
At the end of the three minute period Loughgall had a two goal lead as Peden’s long throw wasn’t properly cleared by the Town defence and ex-Banbridge player Ryan Moffatt volleyed into the top corner of the net.
5 minutes before half time Dean Smith directed a header onto Marty Lavery and the winger shot goalwards however his effort wasn’t troubling ‘keeper McFrederick as it sailed over the crossbar. 
On the hour mark Ryan Evans almost grabbed his second goal of the game when he collected Paul Evans sharp pass and curled just wide of the mark.
After 70 minutes Andy Smith played an excellent through ball to Baron running down on goal and ‘keeper McFrederick performed a smart low save to prevent Loughgall increasing their advantage.
With 15 minutes remaining intricate play between strike partners Dean Smith and Baron presented Moffatt with a shooting opportunity on the edge of the penalty area however he couldn’t keep his effort down as it harmlessly rose over the crossbar.
The hosts had a great chance to pull a goal back in the 82nd minute when David Irwin met Ryan Evan’s deep cross however the free-scoring midfielder couldn’t direct his header on target.  Irwin had another decent chance 5 minutes later but again he directed his header wide of the goal when he should have done better.

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffatt, A Smith, Baron (Brown 82m), Lavery (Uprichard 72m), D Smith.  Subs not used: Adair, Nesbitt, Walker.

Banbridge Town: McFrederick, Derby (A Evans 45m), Trainor, Kane, Henry, McParland, R Evans, Irwin, Alexander (Baker 71m), Meehan, P Evans.  Sub not used: Quinn, Grant.

Referee: E Boyce (Ballygowan)