Loughgall’s Dean Smith Has ‘Mixed Emotions’ After Carrick Draw, Despite Goalkeeper’s Penalty Saves

Loughgall manager Dean Smith expressed “mixed emotions” following his bottom-placed side’s goalless Irish Premiership draw against fellow strugglers Carrick Rangers. Smith stated that Loughgall had been the “better team” throughout the 90 minutes, yet also felt a sense of relief after goalkeeper Nathan Gartside successfully saved two second-half penalties awarded to Carrick. “Disappointed we didn’t win but also delighted that we got a point given that we had two penalties given against us,” Smith informed BBC Sport NI. He further commented on his team’s offensive efforts, stating, “We created good opportunities. We got into the final third a lot but if I’m being totally honest, we probably never worked their goalkeeper as much as we would have liked given the opportunities that we had.” Smith also contended that his team should have received a “stonewall penalty” in the game’s final moments, following a challenge on substitute Jay Boyd. The Loughgall boss added, “Given what he [the referee] has just given, I think that’s a penalty all day long.” Reflecting on the officiating, Smith remarked, “I don’t think there was a bad tackle in the game but again it ends up with six or seven bookings. It is a contact sport. We are allowed contact in it and not every contact is a foul.”