LOUGHGALL 3 - 1 BANGOR

There was to be no festive cheer for Bangor in this top of the table clash, as a disastrous opening 15 minutes ruined any chance the Seasiders had of inflicting a first defeat on Loughgall. Alan Murphy, Dean Smith and Brian Adair had Loughgall racing into an early lead with Bangor unable to get the ball out of their half in what was a poor team display. Ryan Brown 2 grabbed a consolation for Bangor late in the second half, but it was not enough to hide such a disappointing performance.

The home side took the lead after only 5 minutes when the imposing Alan Murphy saw his headed flick on from a Peden long throw-in loop up and over Ryan Brown 1 and into the far corner of the net.

Murphy's aerial threat was causing all sorts of problems for Bangor, and the former Armagh man had the ball in the net 2 minutes later when he rose to head home Lavery's corner. Luckily for Bangor, the referee ruled the goal out for a foul much to Murphy's despair.

Ryan Brown 1 was forced into a fine save low to his right from Brian Adair's 25 yard shot in the 10th minute after the midfielder had raced forward unchallenged from his own half. The resultant corner again picked out Murphy, but his effort was hooked clear off the line despite protests from the home side that the ball had crossed the line. The clearance fell to Glenn Waddell who's first time 20 yard shot needed pushed over the bar by Brown. The constant pressure told, however, as Dean Smith rose well at the back post to head home the resultant corner from close range.

Not content with two early goals, Loughgall continued to push forward and forced a number of corners which caused numerous anxious moments for the visiting defence. The Villagers would have added to their tally in the 13th minute, but debutant Marc Brown was on hand to hook clear Peden's goal bound effort after a goalmouth scramble.

Bangor's day got worse moments later when a miskick from Ryan Brown 1 led to Loughgall's 3rd goal. Under no pressure, Brown scuffed his kick straight to Brian Adair 25 yards from goal. The midfielder had no problem rounding the advancing Brown before sliding the ball into the unguarded goal.

Having raced into such an early and comfortable lead, Loughgall were content to play some good possession football as Bangor struggled to compete on a bumpy surface. When in possession, the Seasiders were unable to trouble the well organised home defence as all too often, the ball was given up too easily.

Loughgall nearly added a fourth goal in the 40th minute in spectacular fashion. A quickly taken freekick by Waddell found Ryan Moffett on the left wing. The former-Banbridge player tried a first time volley from a wide position which dipped and swerved violently forcing Ryan Brown 1 into a fine save high to his left.

Half-time: 3 - 0

To try and salvage something from the game, Bangor sent on Jonny Rosson and new signing Tony Smith to replace Marc Brown and Glenn Hand respectively. The changes almost paid off in the 53rd minute when BJ McMenamin collected a lay off from Tony Smith. The on-loan Glentoran player sent in a thunderous volley from 25 yards which forced Robinson into a fine save diving full stretch to his left.

Loughgall should have added to the score on the hour mark when Andy Brown got himself on the end of Neil Alderdice's freekick. Luckily for Bangor, the unmarked forward sent his powerful 16 yard header just wide of the upright.

Bangor's best chance arrived in the 68th minute. McMenamin did well down the left wing to beat his marker and send an inviting low cross towards the back post where Ryan Brown 2 could only send his close range effort over the crossbar when a goal looked certain.

That was to be McMenamin's last action of the game as he was replaced by James Bell. It didn't take long for Bell to try and make his mark on the game when, in the 73rd minute, the midfielder sent a 25 yard shot crashing off the underside of the crossbar and into Marc Robinson's grateful arms.

Loughgall always looked dangerous in attack, but it was Bangor who grabbed themselves a consolation goal with 7 minutes remaining. Colin Beggs won position deep in the Loughgall half before sending over a cross towards the back post where Ryan Brown 2 was on hand to fire across goal and into the net via the inside of the post.

Full-time: 3 - 1

Bangor: R Brown 1, M Brown (Rosson), Beggs, Emerson, Bailie, Harbinson, Hand (T Smith), Irvine, McMenamin (Bell), Brown 2, Forsythe. Subs not used: Melly, Collier

Scorer: R Brown 2 ('83) Booked: Beggs, Rosson

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffett (N Robinson), Adair (A Smith), A Brown, Lavery (Fitzpatrick), D Smith. Subs not used: Pentland, Allen

Scorers: Murphy ('5), D Smith ('11), Adair (15) Booked: N Robinson

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