Knock Out - Dub In

Cherryvale, Sunday 9 October 2005, 1:30PM

Dub FC (2)4 Knock FC (0)1

Dub arrived at Cherryvale on Sunday knowing that only a victory would see them through to the semi-finals of the shield. Back to the 4.4.2 formation which has served so well in the past, and well fired up for the game, Dub took only 6 minutes to make their mark on the game. Benny Hodgkinson wide on the right with a "shot" come "cross" for Cormac Kernan who finished with a tremendous drive high into the right hand corner of the net.

Dub looked comfortable after the early goal with the knock attacks being sporadic and easily dealt with. Tony and Kristian eradicating any threat from the wings and Gareth and Mark getting the better of their opposite numbers. On 20 mins, after a patient build-up from a free kick, Hodgkinson fed the ball through to Sean Mullan who coolly slotted the ball across the goalmouth into the bottom left corner of the net. Dub were 2.0 up and a little complacency from a corner led to the knock centre forward hitting the woodwork. This was the wake-up call Dub needed and control was once again assumed creating several good chances in the process but alas, the score remained 2.0.

Just before half-time Mullan aggravated an old back injury and despite trying to soldier on after half time, was unable to. On 50 mins, Peter made comeback number 2 and three minutes later, goal provider turned scorer as Hodgkinson, after some neat dribbling sublimely lobbed the keeper with his left foot and surely put the game beyond knock.

Dub continued to push forward and on occasions, were left a little exposed at the back allowing for a misunderstanding and subsequent goal for Knock. At 3.1 Dub continued to dominate and Kyle and Barry were introduced as fresh legs. On 80 minutes, Barry latched onto a poor clearance by the knock keeper to head the ball home from 20+ yards.... Surely art will make this a club record now!

Next came what must be the miss of the match... after some good work on the left from Chris, he unselfishly slotted the ball square to Cormac, who had an open goal, somehow, he managed not even to get a shot in as upon controlling the ball, a defender..."just appeared" and nicked the ball away from the experienced striker.

The game finished with Dub 4-1 winners and a quarter-final place now awaits. Several good performances and a good team performance culminated in a jovial post game disposition.

The ref debated between Mark and Gareth for Man of the match but ended up giving it to Gareth on the proviso that he stops slabbering.

One negative to come from the game is Shane McCuskers injury. He has a broken bone in his hand and this is set to keep him out for four weeks. We all wish Shane a speedy recovery.

Squad

Liam Gillen, Mark Harvey, Gareth Dickson, Sean Mullan (sub 50 mins), Shane McCusker, Kristian Hill, Tony Harvey (sub 70 mins), Kevin Duffy, Phil Doherty (sub 70 mins), Chris Hodgkinson, Cormac Kernan

Subs

Peter McToal (50 mins), Kyle Rendall (70 mins), Barry Gillen (75 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Cormac Kernan Sean Mullan Chris Hodgkinson Barry Gillen
Assists	Shane McCusker Chris Hodgkinson (2)
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Gareth Dickson