Dub Kings of the Castle

Ormeau Park, Sunday 8 February 2004, 1:30PM

Dub FC (1)5 Fort FC (0)0

Dub put in a strong second half performance to break down the Fort defences and go joint top of the league for the first time. The stage is now surely set for a title showdown with Boca Seniors who have been looking over their shoulders for the Dub challenge. Dubs management team, Kernan Bros., are now feverishly studying the league rules to see how things will pan out if Dub and Boca end the season equal on points.

Dub began the game knowing that a dismal performance last time out against Fort resulted in a win and looked to improve on their previous efforts. Dubs injured captain McCusker was forced to watch from the sidelines as the Mighty Quinn? (action figure coming soon) and Sean Mullan filled the centre of midfield. McCusker is still suffering from a torn pride muscle as the rest of the team celebrated Man Citys comeback against McCuskers beloved Spurs last week. Dub dominated the first half with most of the possession but little to show for it. Just after the quarter hour mark, Ryan McGurk unleashed a trademark long throw which was met in the box by Phil Doherty who climbed highest to power the ball home. The rest of the half was fairly scrappy but Dub were forced into an early change as John Quinn hurt his toe kicking one of the opposition players when the referee wasn?t looking. On came the midfield dynamo that is Kristian Hill. Kristian has yet to score for Dub and he made sure his 100% record remained untarnished when stout defending from Fort prevented a clear shot from just outside the box. Dubs back four looked solid as Fort were given no chances in the final third with Sean Doherty and Mark Harvey winning everything in the air. Shane Murphy, Gareth Dickson and Phil D all saw a lot of the ball in the first half as the strong sidewinds forced play down the left wing.

A change of gear was needed and Dub reacted well after the break as Phil got his second of the game in a goalmouth scramble. Dub began to press down the right wing with Peter McToal becoming increasingly involved in the game. The third goal came when Harveys header found Cormac Kernan unmarked and able to finish from short range. Art Kernan then came on to replace Phil ?Job Done? Doherty and made an instant impression to score when he stole the ball off Gareth Dickson who was steaming majestically into the box looking for another bullet header like last weeks thunderbolt against Brookvilla whose keeper had no chance. Art just managed to put the ball over the line as the goalie fell over the wrong way. Art was unlucky late in the game to suffer yet another injury and it remains to be seen how he will recover this time. John Magee replaced McToal to combine well with McGaughey on the right and Art and Cormac showed their near telepathic relationship later on as Cormac grabbed a brace.

Dub are now looking forward to a series of important matches with Apollo and Boca still to be played as well as the Shield final. Their destiny is in their own hands and as the season moves into its final stages things are looking promising?

Squad

Neil Smyth, Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Gareth Dickson, John Quinn (sub 25 mins), Sean Mullan, Peter McToal (sub 70 mins), Ryan McGaughey, Cormac Kernan, Phil Doherty (sub 65 mins)

Subs

Kristian Hill (25 mins), Art Kernan (68 mins), John Magee (70 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Cormac Kernan (2) Art Kernan Phil Doherty (2)
Assists	Ryan McGaughey Art Kernan Sean Mullan Mark Harvey (2)
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	-