Loughgall…………4
Blackers Mill……0
HNNY Kernaghan scored a hat-trick to ensure Loughgall’s progression to the next round of the Bob Radcliffe Cup at Lakeview Park on Friday night.
The Villagers beat Blackers Mill convincingly on a 4-0 scoreline, with boss Colin Malone, aiming to build up momentum, naming an unchanged line-up from last week’s first league win away to Dundela.
Loughgall started well and were ahead after 11 minutes, when Steven Ferguson’s incisive pass into Kernaghan’s path allowed the forward to calmly slot past Blackers Mill netsman Mark Gough.
The visitors had earlier hit the crossbar when Scott McCrory shot following a corner. But the Villagers kept the initiative when Kernaghan scored again with a thunderous drive on 14 minutes, Jeff Brady played a pass into Dale Malone who, with his back to goal, set-up Kernaghan for his impressive finish.
Loughgall further extended their lead nine minutes into the second period when Kernaghan and Brady combined to allow the latter to hit a brilliant drive in off the far post from the left-hand edge of the penalty area.
Kernaghan grabbed his hat-trick with another well-taken goal; Malone’s corner wasn’t cleared fully in the 61st minute and the tricky forward pounced just inside the penalty area to fire home.
Next Friday, September 28, Loughgall return to league action when they travel to Limavady United. Kick-off is at 8pm.
Loughgall: Buchanan, Carson, Rodgers Stewart, Acheson, Ferguson (Heasley 66m), Malone, Boyle, Kernaghan (Pedlow 66m), Phillips (Herron 66m), Brady. Unused subs: Flanaghan, Willis.
Blackers Mill: Gough, A Haugh, Compton, McDonald, McClelland, Neill, Clarke, McCrory, Canning, Martin, Dickson. Subs: S Haugh, McIlveen, Elliott, Gillespie.
