Loughgall boss Dean Smith calls for a limit on Friday night matches

Dean Smith’s Loughgall side face their second Friday night trip to Larne this season

Loughgall manager Dean Smith believes there should be a cap on the number of Friday night matches clubs can stage throughout the season.

The Villagers will this Friday return to Larne, where Tiernan Lynch’s side enjoy taking on sides under the Inver Park lights.

Part-time clubs like Loughgall lack the preparation time that a full-time side like Larne can take advantage of and it makes it tougher for the away team to deliver a strong performance.

In late December, a first-half goal from Joe Thomson was enough to earn Larne a 1-0 victory over Loughgall — again on a Friday evening at Inver Park — and, while Smith can understand why the champions like Friday clashes, he feels the Northern Ireland Football League should consider placing a limit on the number of those fixtures that give the hosts an added advantage.

“You look at Larne’s record at home and they do play a lot of games on a Friday night,” said Smith.

“It gives them a slight advantage, not only playing at home but against a part-time side.

“I’m a big advocate for what Larne have done for the League and the resources they have brought in but my view is there should be a cap on the number of games you can play on a Friday night.

“I think the League should look at that. It would be different if the majority of our clubs were full-time but when only two or three are full-time, there should be a cap on the Friday night games.

“Our boys have full-time jobs, they are up early and it’s not ideal preparation when we need to meet and travel to Larne. I understand why Larne prefer that time but perhaps it would be fairer if both clubs had a say on the scheduling of games.

“If we can start