Loughgall boss Dean Smith lauds Benji Magee’s ability to scare opponents

Benji Magee bolstered his goal tally at the weekend

BENJI Magee scored his 10th goal of the season for Loughgall and, while it wasn’t enough to end a run of four Premiership games without a win, he continues to be the main man for Dean Smith’s side.

The 21-year-old, in his second season at Lakeview Park, has already scored the winning goal against Larne and earned a point at Crusaders this term and was a constant menace again at Carrick on Saturday, completing the visitors’ comeback only for Dean Purkis to equalise for Rangers three minutes later.

“Benji caused them problems every time he got on the ball,” said Smith.

“He scared them with his direct running and even if nothing came from some of his stuff, he was able to put them on the back foot and able to carry us 30-40 yards up the pitch. He has that in his locker.”

As for his goal which followed mazy run into the box from the left touchline, it even amazed his manager.

“To be honest, I am on the sidelines telling him to hit it a lot earlier, so what do I know,” added Smith. “But I thought Jay Boyd’s first goal was a super strike. The ball came to the back post, he showed great control, opened his body and side-footed in a great finish.”

Although having to come from behind to earn their pointpoint, Carrick assistant boss Scott Irvine was the more frustrated not to get the win.

“It was disappointing not to kick on, especially after our first-half performance when we should have had more than Lewis Mackinnon’s goal,” he said. “But we were lethargic for 15 minutes of the second-half and that cost us.”

CARRICK: Ross Glendinning, Mackinnon, Watson, Gordon, Reece Glendinning, Crowe, Cushley (Surgenor 84), Maciulaitis, Tilney, Purkis, Allen (McGuckin 77). Unused subs: