UPDATE: Lisburn Distillery played an illegible player – match award 3 – 0 scoreline, original scoreline 2 – 1 to Loughgall
Loughgall bounced back from last week’s disappointment to collect all three points at home to a Lisburn Distillery side who finished the game with only seven players. An action-packed second half saw Loughgall go 1–0 ahead alongside two Distillery dismissals before it culminated in a crazy spell that saw two goals and two further red cards in injury time.
The first half was a fairly even affair; the first real chance of the game fell to Lisburn Distillery winger Michael Fegan on 20 minutes but he fired wide when well placed after good build-up from Kevin Hughes.
Loughgall’s best opportunity came just before the break when Daniel Ryan’s curling ball into the penalty area was headed down by Matthew McMahon and Jame Rea fired an effort goalwards. Away ‘keeper Ryan McBride did superbly to react and deny Rea’s close range shot.
Fegan missed another good chance for the Whites when their quick kick-off in the second half allowed the winger in on goal. However his effort was tame and didn’t trouble home goalkeeper Gareth Buchanan.
Lisburn Distillery were reduced to ten men in the 58th minute when Kevin Hughes received a second caution for a needless late challenge on Aaron Walsh in the middle of the pitch.
On 66 minutes, referee Alastair Burns showed another red card for Lisburn Distillery as captain Darren Nixon held back Marcus Dallas inside the penalty area to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity. Warner Mullen stepped up and cooly slotted home the spot-kick.
The game was petering out as Loughgall looked to retain possession and secure the 1–0 win, however they were caught out in the first minute of additional time when they lost the ball in the center of the pitch. Substitute Marty Jones raced onto a pinpoint forward ball before firing past ‘keeper Buchanan to level for the nine men.
The action wasn’t over as Loughgall were awarded a penalty one minute later when Warner Mullen was upended inside the penalty area. Niall Derry was involved in a melee before pushing over referee Burns and subsequently receiving his straight red card. Loughgall forward Mullen retained his composure to fire low into the bottom corner and secure the three points.
Lisburn Distillery ‘keeper Ryan McBride, who had an excellent game, was then dismissed for an off-the-ball incident which accounts for his sides’ tenth red card of the season.
Loughgall: Buchanan, Henderson, Hudson (Mallen 45m), Taylor, McMahon, Dallas, Walsh, Ferguson, Ryan (Boyle 76m), Mullen, Rea (Taveres 80m) Unused sub: Morrow.
Lisburn Distillery: McBride, Chapman (Armstrong 88m), Ringland, Burns, Nixon, Koypt, Fegan (Corrigan 78m), McIlhagga, Hughes, Southam (Jones 62m), Derry. Unused subs: Morrison, Taggart.
Referee: Alastair Burns.
