STAR OUTSHINE DUB

Cherryvale, Sunday 13 March 2005, 1:30PM

Dub FC (0)0 Mona Star (2)2

Dub unveiled their brand new kit at the Cherryvale ground on Sunday with the club returning to its familiar yellow and black colours for the first time in their inaugural season in the top division. The opposition were Mona Star, third placed in the league and runners up the week before in the shield final. Mona had already beaten Dub 3-2 earlier in the season in a closely contested game at Ormeau Park and following last weeks cup draw pitting both teams against each other in the quarter final, Dub were keen to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents with victory in this fixture.

Dub started poorly with several misplaced passes and a seeming lack of enthusiasm helping Mona to dominate the early stages. Dub were under constant pressure and continually conceded free kicks and corners as shots peppered their goal. Mona eventually took advantage of Dub's lacklustre start and opened the scoring when a chipped pass from midfield landed behind the Dub back line and the ball was lofted over the Dub keeper by the Mona number 6. Dub went into the half time break deflated and were lucky to be only one goal down.

The second half began more brightly for Dub but they lacked a cutting edge and failed to create a clear cut chance before Mona doubled their lead with a break down the Dub left leading to a cross to the back post which was headed home by a Mona striker. The goal stirred Dub and they pushed another man into centre midfield to bolster the attack. Dub pressed forward looking for a goal which would bring them back into the game. Chances came and went and despite the best efforts of the erratic Mona keeper, Dub worryingly failed to score. Both substitutes were used but even the fresh legs failed to produce a breakthrough.

Dub go into the cup quarter final next Sunday as underdogs and must produce a superior performance than this if they are to stand any chance of progressing to the semi-finals. With the league title beyond reach and their recent shield semi-final exit at the hands of Rushlight, Dub's season rests on their success in the cup and the players need to lift themselves on Sunday to give their loyal supporters another day out in Allen Park and yet another quality piss up in the Rose & Crown afterwards!

(Post -script: Dub are currently top of the prestigious fair play league which could yet yield them some silverware in this campaign and players are reminded that any bookings between now and the end of the season will result in severe punishment to be dished out by the Rose & Crown bingo girls!)

Squad

Liam Gillen, Shane Murphy (sub 60 mins), Mark Harvey, Gareth Dickson, Liam McCollum, Andy de Faoite, Kyle Rendall, Donal McCann, Shane McCusker, Cormac Kernan, Phil Doherty

Subs

Kristian Hill (60 mins), Art Kernan (60 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	-
Assists	-
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Mark Harvey