NEWHILL NO MATCH FOR NEW LOOK DUB

Ormeau Park, Sunday 5 December 2004, 1:30PM

Dub FC (1)3 Newhill FC (1)2

A new season and a new look Dub it may be, but the Kernan brothers team were back to their old winning ways when they put up another spirited and battling display on Sunday which saw them edge out their second division opponents in this thrilling encounter at Ormeau Park. The win was reminiscent of the epic cup victories of last season and it is hoped that this result will propel the club to even greater heights than that campaign.

Recent player apathy and some tough selection decisions meant that certain regulars were relegated to the subs bench for this crucial shield tie. Dub were aware of the pedigree of their lower league opponents who are currently cruising toward promotion from the second division and qualified easily for the shield knockout stages. In recognition of the importance of the game and strength of the opposition, the Dub management selected their strongest and largest squad of players to date. McCusker found himself thrust into the starting 11 after coming back from injury while McCann shook off the flu to take his place in the centre of midfield. Hodgkinson, Mullan and Doherty were all carrying knocks but no-one wanted to miss what could turn out to be the turning point in the club's season.

Despite a rousing team talk before kick-off Dub started slowly and conceded a sloppy goal after only 5 minutes. A cross from the left was poked in at the back post by an unmarked Newhill forward. Dub failed to rouse themselves and there was a look of anxiety among some of the team, passes went astray and the ball was often aimlessly lumped into the opposition half to no avail. Newhill piled on the pressure with Harvey clearing a goal bound shot off the line and several corners being frantically defended. The turning point in the half was to come after 15 minutes when the impressive Newhill midfielder 'airmail' found himself one on one with Dub stopper Smyth. The Dub keeper made a first class save which stirred his team mates who then began to get the ball to feet and increasingly found Hodgkinson up front who did a sterling job holding the ball up and laying passes off to the onrushing Dub midfield. Hodgkinson is slowly beginning to find match fitness and when his rehabilitation from injury is complete he will cause even problems for opposition defences.

Dub clawed their way back and eventually scored an equaliser in the 30th minute when McCusker fired home a right foot shot, aided by his new bionic hip, following a cross from the right. The Dub players all rushed to congratulate their team mate whose presence on the field has been missed following his recent injury lay off. The first half ended with the sides level and the Kernans delivered another rousing team talk in an attempt to boost the players confidence and encourage them to pin the opposition back into their own half. A change was made with Hodgkinson being replaced by new signing Savage.

The second half got off to a controversial start when the referee failed to award free kicks for two separate fouls on Dickson and Mullan leading to a Newhill goal which was allowed despite the fact that their forward was clearly at least 5 yards offside. The Dub players swarmed around the referee to no avail, the decision stood and Dub would have to fight their way back into the game. The second half went on for what seemed like an eternity with continual Dub pressure failing to produce a goal.

The back line remained water tight with Dickson, Doherty, Harvey and McCollum all playing their part. The Dub midfield pushed further up the pitch trying to create an opening. Mercer constantly ran at the opposition, Mullan and McCann both searched for the killer pass, with Mullan coming close himself with a shot which went narrowly wide in the 64th minute. McCusker, who had a solid game in an unfamiliar left wing role, was then replaced by McGaughey who went straight into right midfield with Mercer swapping flanks. New signing Savage continually offered an outlet up front and went close with a shot from the left in the 75th minute. O'Reilly, who had worked tirelessly throughout the game against a set of defenders much taller and more physically imposing than the fiery West Belfast man, was then replaced by De Faoite which turned out to be an inspired substitution by the Kernans. The Dub pressure paid off and in the 85th minute with seemingly all hopes of a return to Allen Park banished, De Faoite drilled home a shot from inside the box, cue mass Dub celebrations on the pitch and the touchline with Dub's ever increasing band of supporters jubilant. Dub searched for a winner but the final whistle went and the game entered extra time with the all too familiar silver goal rule applicable.

Dub were oozing confidence and the whole team rose to the challenge in extra time. A McCann run into the box in the 2nd minute put pressure on the Newhill defence, an attempted clearance by their centre half was met by McCann who scored, firing him to the top of the Dub goal scoring charts. The north Belfast man was mobbed by his teammates and the watching Dub supporters were in ecstasy. Dub remained in control for the remaining minutes and despite a despicable boot to the face on Doherty, with the Newhill player sent off, they were undeterred and held on to a narrow victory.

A shield semi-final on 23rd January 2005 now awaits with the possibility of drawing Rushlight in that game which will be on all the players minds over the Christmas break. They will relish the opportunity to seek revenge on their rivals from last season and certainly have nothing to fear from that game as the Kernan brothers have assembled a stronger squad this season which has a renewed confidence, morale and a fighting spirit which will be a match for any team they encounter.

With no game on the 12th December all thoughts now turn to the Christmas festivities on Saturday 11th December. All squad members are strongly encouraged to attend what will promise to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It will kick off with a meal in Scalini's and then drinks with the club sponsors back at the Rose & Crown bar on the Ormeau Road followed by a late night burger at Neil Smyth's favourite haunt, Bishops, and then onto the party back at the house of the Chief Christmas Do co-ordinator himself, Neil Smyth, all are invited (just don't tell him until he's full.)

Squad

Neil Smyth, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Liam McCollum, Gareth Dickson, Ryan Mercer, Shane McCusker (sub 75 mins), Donal McCann, Sean Mullan, Chris Hodgkinson (sub 45 mins), Patrick O'Reilly (sub 82 mins)

Subs

Aidan Savage (45 mins), Ryan McGaughey (75 mins), Andy de Faoite (82 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Shane McCusker Donal McCann Andy de Faoite
Assists	Liam McCollum
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Donal McCann