Loughgall booked their place in the Irish Cup 5th round draw with a hard-fought win at home to Trojans in difficult weather conditions.
Loughgall threatened first, on 17 minutes, when Matty McMahon linked up with Warner Mullen inside the penalty area. The latter struck the ball low towards the corner however he was denied by a fantastic one-handed save from ‘keeper Conleith McCrudden.
Five minutes later Darren McFadden picked the ball up on the half-way line for the visitors before embarking on a solo run. The powerful forward cut inside onto his favoured right-foot, inside the penalty area, however he couldn’t keep his effort on target.
Mickey Barr came to the rescue for Trojans when cleared off the goal line from Mullen on 37 minutes. McMahon set-up Mullen with a smart pull-back from the byline however the striker could only watch as Barr cleared his goalbound effort.
The hosts opened the scoring two minutes into the second period when Mullen turned provider for McMahon to smash home into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Shane O’Doherty produced a last-ditch goal-saving tackle to deny Daniel Ryan after the substitute had expertly rounded ‘keeper McCrudden in the 71st minute.
Trojans wasted a good chance to level on 84 minutes when Brendan McDonald fired wide when well placed after his initial good play to find a shooting opportunity.
The Villagers made sure of the win with two minutes remaining when Mullen struck a sweet free-kick from 25 yards that nestled in the top corner.
There was still plenty of time for action however as the away side were reduced to ten men directly after the goal when Niall Grace was dismissed for dissent.
And then deep into injury time the impressive Darren McCready curled a 25 yard free-kick into the top corner to reduce Loughgall’s advantage.
Loughgall: Buchanan, Copeland, Hudson, Dallas (Uprichard 89m), Ferguson, Walsh (Boyle 57m), Henderson, McMahon, Rea, Mullen, Dane (Ryan 60m). Unused sub: Wilson.
Trojans: McCrudden, Barr (O’Doherty 57m), Friel, Burke, McClean, McCready, Cooley (Harkin 73m), Johnstone, McFadden, Grace, McDonald. Unused subs: McKeever, Mooney, Harley.
