Visitors programme article
Posted : 28th October 2023 at 07:48:37
Newly-promoted Loughgall have had quite the start to life in the Sports Direct Premiership, in their first season in the top flight since 2007.
They are a hard-working Club who seem to punch above their weight. The village of Loughgall has the smallest population of any settlement that is home to a top-flight club in Europe, with only 282 inhabitants.
Formed in 1967, Loughgall have enjoyed a largely successful existence throughout their relatively short history.
After progressing through local junior leagues, Loughgall were admitted to the Irish League family in the early 1990s under the guidance of legendary boss, Alfie Wylie who spent 13 years at Lakeview Park from 1986-99! Alfie, of course, then went on to be a stalwart at Linfield, where he worked as First Team Coach under David Jeffrey, Warren Feeney, and David Healy, between 2004 and 2018.
The Villagers have surprised quite a few people this season. Aside from a heavy defeat away to Glentoran a few weeks ago when they had some players unavailable, Dean Smith's men have been very competitive in all their matches.
Linfield also will be weary in the knowledge that Loughgall have already been to Solitude and Seaview this season and picked up two points from those two matches. Against Crusaders at Seaview, they levelled with ten men, so they're clearly a well-drilled outfit.
Loughgall have also recorded an impressive 1-0 win over champions Larne this season, albeit at their home ground of Lakeview Park and they currently sit in seventh place, with an impressive tally of 18 points after 13 matches.
One to watch is young hotshot Benjamin 'Benji' Magee, who comes into the game high in confidence, following his first Premiership hat-trick in Loughgall's 3-1 win over Newry City at Lakeview Park last week. The 21-year-old attacker - formerly of Ards, PSNI, and Glentoran II - has been in fine form this season, scoring eleven goals. He has proven himself to be a good impact player, coming off the bench to score big goals against Crusaders and Larne.
They were without captain Ben Murdock in last week's win over Newry City and would love to have him back for the trip to Windsor Park. The central defender, who was formerly with Dundela and Portadown, has been colossal for the Villagers over recent years and was in the Championship 'Team of the Season' last year. If he's not available, summer signing James Carroll - formerly of Warrenpoint Town - will likely continue in his absence.
Since Linfield’s 2-0 win away to Loughgall last month, Dean Smith has since added free agent Jordan Gibson to his squad - the versatile attacker who returns for a second spell at the Club, following spells with Carrick Rangers and Ballymena United.
1. Berratt Turker (GK)
2. Mark Carson
3. Jamie Rea
4. Ben Murdock (C)
5. Oran Brogan
6. Tiernan Kelly
7. Pablo Andrade
8. Alan Teggart
9. Nathaniel Ferris
10. Andrew Hoey
11. Caolan McAleer
12. Robbie Norton
13. Jordan Gibson
14. Mark Patton
15. Luke Cartwright
17. Wedu Batlokwa
18. Alberto Balde
19. James Carroll
20. Daniel Devine (GK)
21. Benjamin Magee
22. Jay Boyd
23. Caolan Loughran
24. Aaron Duke
26. Ben Harvey
41. Charlie McCrory