Dub's smash and grab on CFANI

Ormeau Park, Sunday 19 October 2003, 1:30PM

Dub FC (2)4 Rovers FC (2)3

Dub 4 CFANI 3
Peter McToal
Phil Doherty
Shane McCusker
Cormac Kernan

A new look Dub side assembled at Ormeau Park on Sunday for the eagerly awaited CFANI meeting, with 4 of last week's starting 11 unavailable. However, the depth of quality in this year's panel ensured CFANI wouldn't be getting a soft touch. The squad also received a boost when, fresh from a fortnight's loan to AC Pizzeria, Cormac returned surprisingly mobile, and breezed through a late fatness test to make the starting eleven.

The game started briskly, with the end to end movement and activity round the box that characterises CFANI encounters. Smyth and McGaughey looked composed in the middle of defence - Michael tantalised CFANI with his trademark footwork, while the wee man thrived on the unusual parity in height with the opposition by winning countless headers. So it fell to a midfielder to give CFANI their opening. A long throw caught McCusker napping in front of goal and the diminutive CFANI striker nodded home.

This setback rattled Dub a little, and were lucky not to go 2-0 down when CFANI broke clear after a Dub Corner - Neil getting his hand to ball to stop CFANI's advances. This was the wake up call that was needed though, and shortly afterwards McToal beat the CFANI keeper in a race to the ball, finishing with a superb chip to level the scores.

Dub's confidence grew, and took the lead with a unusual goal. With CFANI's attempted offside trap in tatters, Phil found himself thirty yards from goal with no one to beat (not even the keeper). Rather than waste energy running towards the goal for simple tap in, Dub's current top goal scorer prodded home from where he was standing. What seemed like 3 days later the ball crossed the line and Dub were in the lead.

Dub piled on the pressure, with fine work from full backs Murphy and Hill controlling the CFANI flanks. However, a dodgy free kick given just outside the Dub box was converted by the CFANI ringer to level the scores at half time.

Eager for the three points, Dub quickly got into their stride in the second half, piling on the pressure. For their part, the opposition continued their counter attack strategy, and soon reaped the rewards. Finding themselves surrounded by advancing CFANI, the Dub defence got temporarily distracted and CFANI broke clear to take the lead.

Dub were stunned by this set back, and took 10 minutes to get back into their stride. However, the chances gradually began to appear again - Chris Sherrard being unlucky not to complete a fine 1-2 passing manoeuvre on the edge of the box. John Magee joined the defence and helped keep CFANI locked in their own half. As frustration began to grow, Dub finally got their break when Murphy's long cross field pass found McCusker who turned and drove the equaliser home.

Dub's domination now really began to show. Surrounded by CFANI for every kick out, Hardman Quinn lived up to his name and with a few subtle digs showed that timing is everything. The breakthrough came with some fine interplay between the Dub forwards. Phil dribbled around the edge of the CFANI box before shooting off the bar. The rebound left CFANI wide open - Cormac was well positioned to capitalise, finishing the move by driving home the winner.

Dub kept the pressure on for the final 10 minutes to claim another 3 points extend the club's unbeaten run into the history books.

Rose & Crown Man of the Match: ME - S MCCusker!

Squad

Chris Sherrard, Neil Smyth, Michael Smyth, Shane Murphy, John Quinn, Shane McCusker, Kristian Hill (sub 70 mins), Peter McToal, Ryan McGaughey, Cormac Kernan, Phil Doherty

Subs

John Magee (70 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Cormac Kernan Shane McCusker Phil Doherty Peter McToal
Assists	Cormac Kernan Kristian Hill Shane Murphy Phil Doherty
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Shane McCusker