DUB SUBS SINK SAINTS

Cherryvale, Sunday 21 November 2004, 1:30PM

Dub FC (2)4 St. Michael's FC (2)2

Dub produced a second half display of quick attacking, passing, some virtuoso dribbling and resolute defending on Sunday which saw them overcome their first division opponents in this league fixture. On the evidence of this game, Dub will not look out of place among the B.S.P.L elite in their first season in the topflight. The club, armed with arguably its strongest ever squad, has made some shrewd summer signings which was evident on Sunday with 5 new players, Devine, McCann, Mercer, O'Reilly and De Faoite all playing their part in a commendable victory.

Dub have now progressed to the Shield Quarter Final, having topped their group and are steadily climbing the First Division League table despite having a horrendous injury list and missing some key men due to various reasons rangingfrom injuries to necks, knees, hamstrings and in the case of McGaughey, refusal to play in the rain in case he gets dirty. In the absence of such regulars from last season as P Doherty (hamstring), Hodgkinson (auditions for X-Factor), McGaughey (too wet), Murphy (bad hair day), McToal (who?), McCusker (see below), A Kernan (paternity leave), M Smyth(witness protection program) and N Smith (pain in the neck...isn't he just) the Dub management have not been phased and have incredibly made use of 24 different players in all competitions this year, a testament to the wisdom of the pre-season recruitment drive. Tony Kerr is said to be stunned that he still can't make the squad.

Dub arrived at Ormeau Park looking eager and raring to go before of course realising they were in the wrong place. The pre-match warm-up turned out to be a frantic rush up the Ravenhill Road to the Cherryvale playing fields which has been home to some terrific Dub displays this year. Dub started the game looking the much brighter team and consistent pressure in the opposition half culminated in the 14th minute with a run into the box by the wilysilver senile fox, right back McCollum, who was tumbled/fell overdue to exhaustion in the box. McCollum's 'second coming' this season has been a welcome boost and his ever dependable displays of late have shown what a strong addition he is to the team this season. Big Ron (Parkinson not Atkinson) gave the penalty early doors and new signing McCann stepped up firing home with ease. The North Belfast man has been a revelation this year and is beginning to look like a regular fixture in Central Midfield. Club veteran McCusker, missing the last few games following his hip replacement operation, watched enviously from the side line in his wheelchair, his little legs protected from the cold by his favourite blanket.

Dub piled on the pressure and were unfortunate not to get a second goal before letting St. Michaels back into the game in the 20th minute. A long ball over the top from a St Michaels midfielder bounced in the box and fell to keeper Gillen who appeared ready to collect easily. The muddy surface in the goal area didn't help and the ball spilled to a St. Michaels forward who must have thought Christmas had come early as he gratefully accepted the gift from Gillen to make it 1-1. Dub were rocked by the setback and fell further behind in the 30th minute when a Saints striker twisted and turned new signing Devine in the box before coolly slotting the ball past Gillen to make it 2-1.

This turned out to be the turning point and Dub immediately upped their game. De Faoite, who had his best game to date for the club looked eager to run with the ball out the right flank, taking on the Saints full back at every opportunity and delivering some fine crosses into the box. Another new signing, Patrick O'Reilly, taking on the mantle of John Magee as the new flame haired wonder, thumped a terrific shot on the turn from outside the box in the 33rd minute which brought a great save from the Saints keeper. The Saints also went close themselves shortly after with a shot from distance which appeared to be heading into the top right handcorner, but produced the save of the game from Gillen. A combination of the Dub midfield and forward line closing down the opposition quickly and the defence pushing as high up the pitch as possible squeezed the game into the saints half and forced errors in the opposition passing game. In the 35th minute Dub drew level, a pinpoint cross from the right following a strong run by McCann, a feature of his game this season, led to a terrific header from fireman Dickson who powered the ball home from close range. Dickson was off saving damsels in distress as part of his fire firefighting duties during the early stages of the season and his presence on the wing was sorely missed. He worked tirelessly in this game making runs upfield and tracking back toprotect the defence.

At half time the team were encouraged to keep finding the widemen, get the crosses into the box and continue to close down their opponents. Changes came with yet another new signing, the mysterious flying machine (where did he comefrom?) Ryan 'moped' Mercer coming on to replace Doherty. The big man had a solid game despite playing in an unfamiliar midfield role due to an injury to his nose resulting from 'the incident that never happened?' (according to the BSPL Committee) or as witnessed by several Dub players, the incident where Doherty was disgracefully headbutted by a cretinous moron from SA Ramblers, currently being investigated by the Police.

The substitution proved effective when Mercer, played in by Kernan, drilled home a shot from 20 yards in the 55th minute. It was a fabulous finish and no more than Dub deserved as they improved vastly in the second half with a greater willingness to get the ball to feet and run at the opposition. Mercer, missing recent games due to a groin injury, looks to be back to his best form again and anyone witnessing his performances in training will no doubt agree that Dub's secret weapon will prove a handful for many first division defences this season. Hill, who had a good game at leftback with his usual tough tackling and close marking, was replaced by Dub's player of the year from last season, Mullan who bravely entered the fray despite an injury to a nail on his wee finger which required an extensive pre-match manicure. Mullan showed his versatility and played well on the left wing, with Dickson moving back into defence. The Saints seemed to tire and the Dub defence remained vigilant with Harvey and new man Devine sniffing out several attacks from the opposition, not allowing them to develop and intercepting the ball before their opponents had time to find a killer pass. Dub dominated the half and went on to increase their lead in the 75th minute when a sustained period of play in the Saints half led to Kernan playing the ball wide to Mullan who, fighting back the pain, produced a jinking run which took him in to the box. He left 2 defenders in his wake before scoring with an accurate shot making it 4-2.

Dub ran out worthy winners in what was a closely contested game. Their season has been a mixed bag thus far largely due to acombination of injuries, player unavailability and apathy, however, with some men coming back from injury and the new signings beginning to gel with the rest of the team, they are beginning to look a more consistent and steadyforce and on their day will prove a stern test for any team in this League. On a cautionary note, the Kernan management duo are also keen to stress that with no-one guaranteed a starting place, the commitment and performances of the new signings has more than staked their claim to remain in the team and the supposed 'regulars' from last season who have been absent lately will have to work hard to be considered for selection again.

Man of the Match: Donal McCann: The midfield powerhouse dictated the course of the game. He made surging runs at the opposition, retained possession in midfield, tackled, headed and distributed some glorious passes all over the pitch throughout the match. A real find.

Squad

Liam Gillen, Gary Devine, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty (sub 45 mins), Donal McCann, Liam McCollum, Gareth Dickson, Andy de Faoite, Kristian Hill (sub 60 mins), Cormac Kernan, Patrick O'Reilly

Subs

Ryan Mercer (45 mins), Sean Mullan (60 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Sean Mullan Ryan Mercer Donal McCann
Assists	Cormac Kernan (2) Liam McCollum Patrick O'Reilly
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Donal McCann