DUB HOLD THEIR NERVE TO KEEP TITLE CHALLENGE ON TRACK

Cherryvale, Sunday 25 January 2004, 1:30PM

Dub FC (3)3 Brookvilla FC (1)2

On a perfect day for football, Dub FC succeeded in keeping their title challenge on track despite a nervy second half against a spirited Brookvilla side. A game which Dub had threatened to dominate was wrestled away from them with goals either side of half time, and only some last ditch defending saw Dub hold out to win 3-2.

The game started evenly enough with both sides fighting hard for possession. After the early sparring Dub established some control using their set pieces to initiate attacks one of which eventually lead to Phil Doherty finishing coolly, after the ball had been inadvertently knocked onto his own bar by one of the Brookvilla defenders.

Another set piece on 19 minutes saw Dub stretch their lead, Sean Doherty continuing his impressive scoring streak after a Gareth Dickson corner from the left had found the centre-half unmarked at the back post.

The third goal for Dub came on 34 minutes. Some neat skills from the other centre-half Mark Harvey allowed McToal time to find Cormac Kernan free on the right. His deep cross found Dickson arriving late in the box to head powerfully home.

At this point in the match there looked only one winner. The half was winding to a close when out of the blue a snap shot from just outside the box from the Brookvilla number 4 flew into the top corner of the net giving Neil Smyth in the Dub goal no chance.

This goal was a blemish on an otherwise excellent first half display from Dub. It also provided the impetus for Brookvilla to mount a comeback and so it was that in the 49th minute the Brookvilla number 2 cruelly exposed Dub full back Murphy before slotting low into the net. Shaken but not stirred Dub fought back and it was Dub's 007 John Quinn who lead the charge providing much needed fight in midfield. The partnership of Quinn and Mullan was effective throughout, although perhaps more so in the first half.

The game was now played largely in the Dub half as Brookvilla squeezed the game. Despite failing to keep the ball for any length of time the Dub defence just about managed to keep Brookvilla at arms length. The inevitable pointing of fingers caused some consternation but by and large the threat was snuffed out. One or two hairy moments came and went and in an effort to stem the tide Dub made a few changes.

Michael Smyth made a welcome return in an unusual centre forward role as Phil Doherty was withdrawn suffering from a knock. Dub managed to regain their shape and a good move saw another contender for miss of the season ? the culprit, McToal, failed to connect from a few inches out with the goal gaping. Ronnie Rosenthal eat your heart out. Thankfully for Dub cool heads at the back from captain McGurk, Harvey, Doherty and Murphy saw that the miss was academic and the introduction of Kristian Hill on 78 minutes added stability to the Dub midfield and late appearance of last week?s hero Art Kernan from the sidelines helped Dub to complete the win.

The Dub management team were no doubt relieved to hear the final whistle, and a hard earned 3 points sees Boca Seniors lead at the top of the table cut to 3 points. Dub, with a game in hand, realise it's all still up for grabs.

Murphy Man of the Match ? Mark Harvey ? a sound defensive display backed up by progressive use of the football

Referee's Man of the Match - Phil Doherty - another great game from the hamstrung forward who made it off the pitch before he was about to puke up.

Match Reporter: S Murphy

Squad

Neil Smyth, Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Gareth Dickson, John Quinn, Sean Mullan, Peter McToal, Ryan McGaughey, Cormac Kernan (sub 85 mins), Phil Doherty

Subs

Michael Smyth (65 mins), Kristian Hill (75 mins), Art Kernan (86 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Sean Doherty Gareth Dickson Phil Doherty
Assists	Cormac Kernan John Quinn
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Phil Doherty