Intermediate Cup Round 2

Loughgall   2  Moyola Park  3

Moyola Park travelled to Lakeview Park to play against Loughgall in the second round of the Intermediate cup. Despite heavy rainfall the previous days, the game was given the go ahead on a soft soggy pitch. There was a good crowd gathered to watch the first game of 2016 for both sides.

Both sides were keen to get off to a good start and there was some feisty challenges in the opening minutes. Moyola Park started the game at a high tempo,  keen to put a marker on the game. They almost took the lead in the 13th minute when Gregg hit a curling shot which cannoned of the crossbar leaving Buchannan stranded in the Loughgall goals. Two minutes later and a great chance fell to Taggart but the Moyola forward produced a save from Buchannan and the big keeper did well to save the follow up. Moyola Park began to create chances and it was no surprise that they took the lead in the 20th minute. A mistake by Buchannan in the Loughgall nets and the ball fell to Gregg who seized the opportunity and gave Moyola a 1-0 lead. Loughgall equalised on 26 minutes when a great through-ball allowed Wesley Boyle to race down on goal to set-up strike partner Warner Mullen with a tap in from close range. Two minutes later the visitors almost regained their lead when Gregg rose highest to head Conor McNamee’s corner goal wards only to see Graeme Taylor well-positioned to clear off the goal line. Then on the 41st minute Moyola Park took the lead from a corner when McIlhatten headed the ball beyond Buchannan meaning the visitors led at the interval. 

Both teams came out for the second half eager to keep the game at the same high tempo as the first half. Half chances fell to both sides and the watching crowd was certainly being treated to an entertaining game of football. Moyola Park scored a third in the 65th minute when a long cross was met by the head of Gregg and his looping header dropped in at the back post leaving Buchannan no chance in the Loughgall goals. Loughgall began to press the game and the Moyola Park rear guard defended strongly dealing with the Loughgall attacks. Then on the 79th minute Loughgall were awarded a freekick 25 yards from the Moyola Park goal. Mullen stepped up and curled the ball passed Cassidy in the Moyola Park goals to leave the score line at 3-2. Taggart had the chance on the 86th minute to kill the game but he shot straight at Buchannan. Loughgall almost levelled the game on the 90th minute when a long shot from Ferguson clipped the outside of the post. Moyola Park held on to progress to the next round for an away tie against Ards.

Loughgall: Buchanan, Henderson (Dane 71m), Taylor, Hudson, Copeland, Ferguson, Walsh, McMahon (Uprichard 66m), Rea, Mullen, Boyle. Unused sub: Morrow.

Moyola Park: Cassidy, Harris, Magill, McQuillan, Kelly, McNamee, McCauley (Evans 75m), McIlhatton, Dowie, Gregg, Taggart. Unused subs: Black, Kells.