Loughgall Manager Dean Smith Concedes Ballymena United’s Deserved 3-2 Victory

Loughgall has recorded only three wins in 21 matches this season. Following their 3-2 defeat at Lakeview Park, Loughgall boss Dean Smith stated that Ballymena United “deserved” the victory against his struggling squad. The game saw Adam Towe give the hosts an early advantage, but Andy Scott responded with an equalizer just a minute later, before Calvin McCurry put the Sky Blues ahead. Despite Ballymena finishing the match with nine men after both Josh Carson and Ben Kennedy were sent off, The Villagers were unable to secure an equalizer, even though Daithi McCallion’s own goal had provided them with some hope. “It was eventful, but I think overall Ballymena deserved the three points, when you play as long as we did again nine men and you only have one shot on target that sums up the kind of day we’ve had today,” Smith informed BBC Sport NI. Smith expressed regret over his team’s lack of offensive imagination and the subpar goals they allowed, a result that leaves Loughgall at the bottom of the league standings, trailing Glenavon by six points. “We didn’t look like scoring, our first goal was a deflection the second one is an own goal and apart from that we had only one shot on target, and I can’t defend that,” Smith added. He further commented, “It coincides with the type of goals we’ve given away today and I can see why we’re in the position we’re in, it’s that bad now it’s become laughable and as a group we’re really disappointed.”