Championship

TOP FOUR OPEN UP GAP

11 Feb 2023
football
© Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Ruairi McDonald scored Annagh's winner against Dergview

It was a successful afternoon in the Lough 41 Championship for the top four following victories for Loughgall, Annagh United, Warrenpoint Town and Dundela.

Loughgall stay a point clear at the summit with a thumping 5-1 defeat of Institute at Lakeview Park.

Aaron Duke opened the scoring with a back post header after ten minutes before Robbie Norton doubled up after half-an-hour.

Sean McCarron pulled one back for ‘Stute from the spot early in the second half but three goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour from Duke, Nathaniel Ferris and Kirk McLaughlin put the issue beyond doubt.

Annagh United came from behind to get past Dergview at the BMG Arena.

The visitors moved in front through Ben Gallagher early in the second half just after Annagh’s Stephen Murray had missed from the spot but Niall McGinley levelled just after the hour followed by a winner from Ruairi McDonald six minutes after that.

Third placed Warrenpoint Town swept to a 4-1 win away to Knockbreda.

Goals from Kealan Dillon and Ray O’Sullivan fired ‘Point into a strong position midway through the first half, before O’Sullivan struck again just before the hour and Jake O’Connor added a fourth ten minutes after that.

Dundela stay fourth after defeating Newington by the odd goal in five at Solitude.

David McMaster edged the Duns in front on 24 minutes but goals either side of the break from Aodhfionn Casey and Darren Stuart tipped the balance in Newington’s favour.

However Dundela hit back to level through Peter McKiernan with Jake Corbett then bagging the winner right at the end.

Joshua McIlwaine bagged a second half double as Ballinamallard United had too much for Ballyclare Comrades at Ferney Park, while Matthew Ferguson headed the only goal of the game as HW Welders defeated Ards at Clandeboye Park.