Loughgall 1-3 Linfield (Result)
Millar doubles lead a minute later with close-range finish
Ferris converts penalty as hosts pull one back on 67 minutes
Allen smashes home in added time to seal win for Linfield
Linfield move two points clear at top
FT Loughgall 1-3 Linfield
Linfield are top of the pile after an entertaining tussle at Lakeview in a game which included wonderful strikes from Joel Cooper and Charlie Allen.
That's all from us for now but we'll be back for five more Premiership matches tomorrow.
Thanks for your company.
Loughgall 1-3 Linfield
A wonderful strike from Charlie Allen in added time secure the three points for Linfield.
Watch: Charlie Allen scores for Linfield
Loughgall 1-3 Linfield
Linfield go top of the table - for 24 hours at least - thanks to a 3-1 victory over Loughgall at Lakeview Park.
Two goals in a minute early in the first half from Joel Cooper and Kirk Millar had them firmly in the driving seat at half-time but sub' Nathaniel Ferris's penalty midway through the second half threw the home side a lifeline.
However, another sub' - Linfield's Charlie Allen - made the game safe with a fantastic individual effort in added time at the end of the match.
Charlie Allen (92 mins)
What a finish from second half sub' Charlie Allen to seal the win for Linfield, cutting in of the wing to blast home from a narrow angle.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
Into five additional minutes at Lakeview Park.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
A booking for a member of the Loughgall coaching team as tensions rise again.
The hosts certainly haven't given up hope of getting something out of this game.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
He's only been introduced to the action but club captain Jamie Mulgrew is already dictating play, using all his years of experience to help Linfield preserve their lead as the game enters its final few minutes.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
Nathaniel Ferris fires his penalty straight down the middle as the hosts reduce the deficit.
Watch: Nathaniel Ferris scores for Loughgall
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
A raft of changes as we enter the final 10 minutes.
Loughgall replace Jay Boyd and Robbie Norton with Ryan Waide and Conor McCloskey while Linfield introduce the vastly experienced Jamie Mulgrew and Charlie Allen, withdrawing Joshua Archer and Kirk Millar in the process.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
Loughgall's Jordan Gibson is the latest to be shown a yellow card.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
An interesting final 15 minutes in store, thanks to that Loughgall goal.
The large crowd are certainly engaged in what's happening out in front of them.
The next goal, if there is to be one, could be crucial.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
David Jeffrey
Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Sport NI
For all of Linfield's dominance Loughgall have stuck at their task. They've come out in the second half and given everything - they are deservedly back in this match.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
Loughgall stand-in boss Darragh Peden can take some of the plaudits for the home side giving themselves a chance in this game, withdrawing Alberto Balde and Caolan McAleer and replacing them with Adam Towe and goalscorer Nathaniel Ferris.
Loughgall 1-2 Linfield
Two bookings apiece following that earlier fracas - Kirk Millar and Scot Whiteside for Linfield and the Loughgall duo of Lewis Francis and Jay Boyd.
Nathaniel Ferris (67 mins)
Sub' Nathaniel Ferris, only on the pitch a matter of minutes, blasts his spot-kick past Chris Johns to half the deficit.
Loughgall 0-2 Linfield
Penalty to Loughgall.
Loughgall 0-2 Linfield
The home side are showing a bit of fight at least.
Striker Jay Boyd and Linfield defender Scot Whiteside get embroiled in a tussle near the touchline, with players from each side quickly joining in.
When the dust settles referee Ben McMaster books two players on either side.
Loughgall 0-2 Linfield
David Jeffrey
Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Sport NI
A slight difference from the first half is that Loughgall are getting it forward a little quicker, a little more direct.
Loughgall 0-2 Linfield
Joshua Archer pings a ball across the front of the Loughgall goal but no Linfield player is able to get on the end of it.
Cue a lot of head scratching.
Loughgall 0-2 Linfield
That's one way to stop Joel Cooper.
Robbie Norton goes into referee Ben McMaster's notebook for a late tackle on the Linfield forward as he looks to break in behind an absent Loughgall defence.
Watch: Loughgall v Linfield highlights
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.
Kirk Millar celebrates scoring Linfield's second goal at Lakeview Park
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.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linfield | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 11 | 15 | 26 |
|
| 2 | Ballymena United | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 24 |
|
| 3 | Dungannon Swifts | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 20 |
|
| 4 | Glentoran | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 20 |
|
| 5 | Crusaders | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 16 |
|
| 6 | Portadown | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 15 |
|
| 7 | Larne | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 14 |
|
| 8 | Cliftonville | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 14 |
|
| 9 | Coleraine | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 13 |
|
| 10 | Glenavon | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 13 |
|
| 11 | Carrick Rangers | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 9 |
|
| 12 | Loughgall | 13 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 34 | -23 | 5 |
|
Manager: Dean Smith
Manager: David Healy
Manager: Dean Smith
Manager: David Healy
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