Saturday, October 19, 2024

Linfield defeat bottom side Loughgall to move top

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Linfield are the new Premiership pacesetters after beating basement team Loughgall 3-1 at Lakeview Park.

Joel Cooper put the Blues in front with a superb 15th-minute strike, cutting inside and curling into the top corner.

It was 2-0 for the dominant visitors a minute later as winger Kirk Millar slotted into the Loughgall net.

Nathaniel Ferris gave the Villagers hope with a penalty on 67 minutes but Charlie Allen smashed home in added time to seal victory.

The win sees Linfield move two points clear of Ballymena United at the top.

The in-form Cooper broke the deadlock, bending a beautifully angled shot high into the net past Nathan Gartside following a quickly taken short corner.

Quickfire double

Kirk Millar celebrates scoring Linfield's second goal at Lakeview Park

Kirk Millar celebrates scoring Linfield’s second goal at Lakeview Park [PACEMAKER]

Millar doubled the lead just 60 seconds later, following up after Cooper’s initial shot had been cleared into his path to be left the simple task of finishing from six yards.

Loughgall’s best chance of the first half came on the half hour but striker Jay Boyd was unable to keep his powerful header, from a Caolan McAleer cross, under the crossbar.

They did pull a goal back, however, midway through the second half through substitute Ferris, only on the pitch a matter of minutes.

Jay Boyd was adjudged to have been bundled over in the box by referee Ben McMaster and the big striker did the rest, blasting his spot-kick past Chris Johns.

But it was another substitute – Linfield’s Allen – who made the game safe for the visitors with a brilliant individual late effort, with the midfielder cutting in off the wing to pick his spot past a helpless Gartside.

It’s now over to Ballymena United, who host Coleraine on Saturday, to see if they reclaim their place at the summit while Loughgall remain four points adrift at the bottom after an eighth straight defeat.

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