Defeat for Distillery

Manager Tommy Kincaid was doubtless hoping his side would gain maximum points from the opening two league fixtures, but there was no doubt that to take anything from Loughgall that a good start was needed and indeed the perfect start it was as on twenty minutes as Stephen Doyle took full advantage from the first clear cut chance after some slick football dazzling the Loughgall defence, Doyle fizzed in the first goal to the celebrations of all Whites fans.

Distillery seemed to gain confidence after this goal and nearly added another as Marty Jones’ quick feet saw him get a shot away, the ball only just flicking off a defender before going up and over the bar.

The bright start, however, was soon snuffed out as Loughgall were level after Stephen O’Neil pounced to round McBride, although there were suspicions of an offside.

The home side had two ex-Distillery players in their ranks - Chris Kingsberry, who was on the bench, also the solid Neil Alderdice in the centre of defence. The latter then nearly gifted his former employers a goal when he air kicked a McDonnell pass, Doyle surged on to the ball before firing straight at the keeper.

40 Minutes had passed when Distillery then had the perfect chance to regain the lead, this time Jones pulling the ball across goal to leave an empty net for the unmarked Southam who was only four yards out - surely two-one but the ball bobbled just before he hit it and somehow it ended up in the arms of the grateful home goalkeeper.

Loughgall went ahead on the stroke of half time as O’Neil doubled his goal tally to ensure the hosts went in 2-1 up at the interval.

The second half was only a minute old when Daniel Burns could have made it three, a quick counter attack leaving the Whites defence stranded, his shot going just wide.

Whites manager Kincaid knew it was time for a change on sixty minutes bringing off Ryan Corrigan replacing him with the impressive Mikey Withers.

Loughgall nicked a third on sixty four minutes, a nightmare for the Whites players, as they were pushing forward for the equaliser, the home side prevailed on the counter attack the ball falling to captain Bryan Moffett to smash the ball into the net.

There were plenty of positives to take away, ifs and buts and plenty of talking points, a very exciting game for both sets of fans.