RADCLIFFE HEARTACHE FOR TOWN

THE trophy famine goes on for Banbridge Town.

Despite a battling defensive performance Town were beaten by a late extra time goal yesterday (Monday) by their old foes, Loughgall.

The first half was a fairly even affair, even if it was a fairly brutal encounter.

Mark Teggart had the first opportunity of the game but couldn't get a clean enough hit on Jeff Brady's throw in.

Damian McParland headed over later from a Dale Malone corner taken from the right hand side.

On the half hour mark Neil Alderdice headed Loughgall's first chance over the top of David Wilton's bar from Ryan Moffatt's cross, although the big defender was under pressure at the time of asking.

Another Malone corner caused problems for the Loughgall defence when Teggart again went close but again Town failed to break the deadlock.

Wilton was called into action on 40 minutes when Brian Pentland fed the ball down the left channel for Aaron Baker but the former Larne goalkeeper was quickest to it.

The goalkeeper was on top once again when he denied Paul McDowell after Baker had headed the ball into the path of the ex-Bangor forward.

A minute from the break Malone took a free kick down the left from near the Lakeview dugouts. The Loughgall defence failed to check Town captain Ricky Copeland's run and his shot was tipped over by Loughgall goalkeeper Marc Robinson.

The second half was as dire an affair as the first. Loughgall had the best chances of the second half when they hit the bar twice in the space of as many minutes.

First an Andy Smith cross found Moffatt at the back post, forcing a good reaction save from Wilton. But the ball hung in the air and McDowell rose highest, forcing his header onto the woodwork.

Then from another Moffatt ball was headed onto the frame of the goal by Andy Brown.

Malone had a couple of chances for the locals from the edge of the area but on both occasions he was unable to keep his chances on target.

The game entered into extra time and once again neither side could get a foothold on the game until the 103rd minute of play.

A Moffatt free kick from close to the corner flag curled across Wilton's goal. Confusion ensued with both keeper and his defence leaving the ball for Neil Alderdice to nip in and tap home to break the Town hearts once again.

BANBRIDGE TOWN: Wilton, Hall, Brady, Copeland, King, McParland, Malone, McCartan, Clydesdale, Whitla, Taggart. Subs: Robb, Donnelly, Matier, Mallon.

LOUGHGALL: Robinson, Smith, Pentland, Alderdice, Peden, Herron, Moffatt, Hawthorne, Baker, McDowell, Evans. Subs: Waddell, Adair, Brown, Lavery, Brown.

REFEREE: Mr Damien Basketfield (Armagh).