Loughgall secured local bragging rights over rivals Armagh City with a deserved victory in rainy conditions at Lakeview Park. The win was the Villagers’ first over their neighbours in over a year and they had goals from Marcus Dallas, Josh Finlay and John Uprichard to thank.
The first effort of the game was taken by Armagh City attacker Andrew Hoey after 11 minutes when he unleashed a strong 25 yard shot however he couldn’t keep his effort on target.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 19th minute when a sharp counter attack saw Warner Mullen expertly pick out Marcus Dallas who was advanced at the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder collected the pass before hitting a wonderful curling shot over City goalkeeper John Connolly that nestled in the top corner.
Five minutes later City almost equalised when Paul Carville slipped a good pass through to Shea Campbell however the experienced striker toe-poked his effort against the post.
Armagh were dealt a sucker-punch as they conceded a second goal in first half stoppage time; Jack Upritchard’s corner was headed against the crossbar and Josh Finlay reacted quickly to head the rebound home from close range.
Stuart Mallen, who had a fine game at left-back, set-up forward Mullen with a great chance on 78 minutes however the Loughgall forward couldn’t find a way past Connolly as he diverted the shot out for a corner kick. From the resulting short corner Upritchard’s pinpoint cross was headed home by John Uprichard for his 5th goal in 7 games.
The Eagles grabbed a late consolation goal with two minutes remaining when good play from Dale Montgomery set-up Ultan Lennon who smashed the ball home from inside the penalty area.
Loughgall’s win was soured by an injury time dismissal to substitute striker Aaron Patterson for a late challenge on Eoin Toal.
Loughgall: Buchanan, Devlin, Mallen, Copeland, Finlay, Dallas, Ferguson (McMaster 84m), Upritchard, McConnell, Mullen (Patterson 79m), Uprichard (Elliott 84m). Unused subs: Hudson, Campbell.
Armagh City: Connolly, Toal, Carville, Lennon, Noonan, Kelly, Hoey, Mallon (McGerrigan 61m), S Campbell (McCarten 89m), McGlone (Grimley 51), Montgomery. Unused subs: Rice, L Campbell.
