It was the Daniel Ryan show at Lakeview Park as the pacey striker netted all of Loughgall’s four goals in this high-scoring win over Bangor which saw the Villagers move into 3rd place. The four-goal haul brings Ryan to 17 goals for the season, six behind leading goalscorer Warner Mullen.
The visitors started brightly with ex-Loughgall striker Paul McDowell testing goalkeeper Gareth Buchanan with a fizzing shot after only two minutes.
Bangor took the lead on 14 minutes and it was McDowell who grabbed it as he glanced Aidan Watson’s cross home at the front post. And the Seasiders extended their lead when Gerard McMullen poked home from close range on 21 minutes.
Loughgall pulled a goal back in the 26th minute when Ryan hit a fantastic curling shot, from the edge of the penalty area, beyond ‘keeper Darren Gibbons and into the top corner of the net.
The Villagers went in at the break level when, on 43 minutes, Ryan smashed in a 25 yard free-kick wrong footing ‘keeper Gibbons in the process.
Ryan netted his hat-trick to complete a remarkable turnaround for the hosts nine minutes into the second period. Steven Ferguson floated a cross from the right wing and Ryan jumped highest to head home.
However on 66 minutes Loughgall were caught out with a ball over the top of their defence as Andy Morrow raced clear and lobbed ‘keeper Buchanan who had came off his line.
Daniel Ryan scored his fourth goal of the game in the 76th minute when he showed his pace to latch onto Marcus Dallas’ forward pass, move into the penalty area and then cooly slot home past Gibbons.
Loughgall: Buchanan, Carson, Taylor, Hudson, Mallen, Walsh, Dallas, Ferguson, Henderson, Dane (Taveres 83m), Ryan. Unused subs: Drylie, O’Connor, Stretton.
Bangor: Gibbons, Beattie, Pike, Wray (Lucas 86m), Youle, Watson, Long, Cooling, Morrow, McDowell, McMullan (Curry 77m). Unused subs: Lynch, Scates Carson.
