Dub Back on Winning Track

Ormeau Park, Sunday 13 February 2005, 1:30PM

Dub FC (1)4 Adelaide FC (1)1

Dub got back to winning ways on a blustery day at Ormeau Park with a comprehensive (in the end) victory over Adelaide. As usual rumours tore through the changing room in the match build-up:

• Art's absence added to the speculation that he is on a crash diet, after rumours of photos of a "belly out" scantily clad Art were found on a digital camera lent to his next door neighbour (more details in the Rose and Crown on Fri night).
• Phil was apparently still celebrating his dad's birthday, automatically putting him as favourite for this year's "Worst excuse for missing a match" award. Better than saying "phew, my hamstring hurts" every 5 minutes, but only just.
• Cormac confirmed that his image is indeed to be seen on the side of a yellow Belfast cab, though speculation that a stretch limo might have been more appropriate was strongly refuted.

After these distractions, Dub won the toss and opted to play with the gale. The wind played havoc with Dub's game plan of hoofing the ball up the pitch and hoping for the best. NoGoals Dickson was in a unfamiliar position up front, with Murphy also making a rare venture from the back four to bolster the midfield. As it turned out, Dub's best chances came from corners, and were unlucky not to score from a few goal mouth scrambles. Harvey perhaps came closest, leaping at the back post to win a header, but was forced into the side netting from an acute angle. The inevitable happened when Dub eventually scored via an o.g. from a goal mouth scramble, with McGurk claiming an assist when his corner-flag bound shot was deflected by an Adelaide defender into his own net. In the push to extend the lead, Dub were caught with 9 men in the opposition's half and Adelaide levelled the score against the run of play.

The second half began with Doc joining the defence and Donal moving into midfield. Kyle and his little sister's gloves moved out to the left wing, and almost made an instant impact, whipping in a great ball to meet NoGoals Kernan at the edge of the box. The Dub forward, turning like a oil tanker, twisted to meet the oncoming ball and sent it wide of the post. However, the deadlock didn't last for long. Sustained Dub pressure forced a corner - the resulting loose ball was met by McCann, who calmly slotted home past John the Baptist (making a guest appearance for Adelaide in goal). The goal settled Dub, and more chances soon came along. NoGoals Dickson was a constant thorn in the Adelaide defence, and finding himself surrounded by defenders, picked out Gump at the edge of the box. The elderly Dub midfielder uncharacteristically finished the move off by putting the ball in the back of the net.

By this stage Dub were dominating the game, with chances aplenty. NoGoals Dickson made a fine run from midfield and looked like he was getting away from his marker when the 8 stone defender brutally body checked him. The resulting 20 foot dive almost took the Dub forward into the penalty area, but a free kick was all that resulted.

The fourth goal arrived via another midfielder, when a fine run and cross from Kyle was met by crabit wee fecker McGurk, who steadied himself and drove home to put the match beyond Adelaide. The last 10 minutes of the game saw the reappearance of Michael Smyth, having recovered from the unfortunate rectal injury that has kept him out of the game for months. Though carrying a little holiday fat from the long lay off, Smyth twisted and turned like days of old and was unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet.

Further chances saw both Gump and McGurk hit the woodwork, but the score was to remain unchanged. Dubs forwards, NoGoals Dickson and NoGoals Kernan, could only watch in awe at the emphatic goal machine performance by Dub's midfielders.

Squad

Liam Gillen, Shane Murphy, Kristian Hill (sub 45 mins), Mark Harvey, Liam McCollum, Kyle Rendall (sub 80 mins), Gareth Dickson, Cormac Kernan, Donal McCann, Shane McCusker, Ryan McGaughey

Subs

Sean Doherty (45 mins), Michael Smyth (80 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Shane McCusker Ryan McGaughey Donal McCann
Assists	Cormac Kernan (2) Ryan McGaughey Gareth Dickson
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Donal McCann