Dub Deny Athleticos Perfect Season

Ormeau Park, Sunday 15 February 2009, 1:30PM

Dub FC (2)2 Athletico (1)1

This was the first in a series of tough tests for Dub, playing the unbeaten league leaders before taking on those in the chasing pack. Defeat would surely mark the end of the season for Dub and the team had a new look for the game. With Hodgy away at a soccer skills school in England, Paddy took the target man position up front alongside the evergreen Kernan (he's as mobile as one).

Dub started brightly and seemed to stifle any attacks from Athletico who were only able to pass the ball easily in their own half. Chances were few and far between until Donal had an opportunity just after the quarter hour. The defenders backed off him and he scored a tap in....ish.

Dub seemed in control and were unlucky not to extend the lead when Phil Oakes rattled the crossbar after 26 minutes. The Dub players were still congratulating him on a fine effort when 20 seconds later Athletico got an easy equaliser. A low cross from the right was not dealt with and they had an easy tap in from 2 yards.

Before the half though, Dub regained the lead as Cormac found the net from the 6 yard box after a cross from Paddy. The teams went into the break with Dub much the happier. The back 4 of Dickson Dowd Harvey and Docs had sorted out the problems that lead to the Athletico goal and Dub went into the second half with confidence.

Athletico couldn't get any real chances and frustration started to show as Dub dealt with every attack. Their best player moved from wing to wing and finally settled up front but couldn't carve out any opportunities. Meanwhile, Cormac had a chance to extend Dubs lead but a lob over the keeper went just wide. Pete McToal came on and should have had an assist as Phil D did a McCusker from 3 yards out - the header troubling the corner flag more than the net.

As we enter the awards season, all eyes are on Hollywood. Can Slumdog Millionaire clean up at the Oscars? Who will get best actor? A late entry for this particular award came from Ormeau Park with 10 minutes left. Dickson tangled with the Athletico striker who was frustrated after losing the ball. He lashed out with the elbow and caught Dickson in the guts. De Niro would have been proud of the resulting performance from the winded defender who went down in installments. A blatant red card offence and Dickson made sure of it.

The final whistle soon went and Art was gutted. He thought he could hang up his clipboard and forget about it for another year but Dub are still in with a shout of promotion and the title.

Stats;
18 mins McCann goal (38 yards)

26 mins, 12 seconds Oakes hits Crossbar (20 yards)

26 mins 33 seconds Athletico Equalise (1-1)

38 mins Cormac Goal - 4 yards (2-1) Paddy assist

59 mins Cormac Lob - just wide

74 mins Pete cross Phil just wide with header from 3 yards out (goalposts moved in the wind)

82 mins Athletico sending off

Squad

Paul Teague (sub 0 mins), Donal McCann, Alan Plunkett, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Paddy Taylor (sub 75 mins), Cormac Kernan, Liam Elmore, Phil Doherty, Philip Oakes, Gareth Dickson, Andy Bowd

Subs

Peter McToal (60 mins), Mark McCormick (75 mins)

Match Statistics

Goals	Cormac Kernan Donal McCann
Assists	Paddy Taylor
Yellow cards	Paddy Taylor
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Donal McCann