Ballymena next up for Loughgall

THE postponement of Saturday's scheduled Loughgall v Newry City Sports Direct Premiership match at Lakeview Park denied Dean Smith's team the opportunity to go 7th in the top tier table.

Newry now are managed by former Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town boss Barry Gray, who took over from Gary Boyle when he resigned on Boxing Day following his team's 4-0 home defeat by Glenavon.

Gray's appointment on January 2 was promptly followed by a 3-2 home win against Pay-R Fit Championship side Ballinamallard United in the Clearer Water Irish Cup.

That was followed by a 2-1 Showgrounds league defeat by high-flying Cliftonville who had trailed to a 4th minute goal by the home side's Adam Salley, with the Reds' winner only coming in the 97th minute.

With Loughgall and Newry sidelined last weekend, both now have a match in hand of most others. And were The Villagers to win that, they could go 7th in the 12-clubs' race dependent on how Glenavon – whose scheduled home game against Glentoran last Friday night also was called off – fare in that one.

As things stand, Loughgall's next fixture is against second-bottom Ballymena United this Saturday on Braidside.

Having played 26 matches – one more than Loughgall - Ballymena have 18 points as a result of five wins, three draws and 18 defeats.

Loughgall have played 25 of which they have won eight, drawn four and lost 13. They have scored 39 goals, this in contrast to Ballymena's 17, and conceded 49.

United, in comparison, have leaked 48, giving them a much inferior goal difference of -31.

Loughgall's for-against differential is -10 which as well as being superior to that of Ballymena is also better than those of Newry (-44), Coleraine (-19), Glenavon -13) and Carrick Rangers (-22).

Loughgall are a better team than Ballymena – but Ballymena's desparate need of points makes them hungry opponents.

But then add the fact that in Benji Magee Loughgall will have one of the Premiership's most lethal marksmen – 15 Premiership goals thus far - against a very suspect Ballymena rearguard.

Interesting, therefore....