Dub stage remarkable comeback

Ormeau Park, Sunday 23 December 2001, 1:30PM

Dub FC (0)4 Brookvilla FC (0)3

Dub came from 3-1 down with 20 minutes remaining to snatch a remarkable victory at Ormeau Park. A spectacular Ryan McGaughey free kick in injury time sparked wild celebrations as Dub got their league campaign back on track with a 4-3 victory over Brookvilla.

Dub started this match determined to avenge the heavy defeat inflicted by Brookvilla a few weeks ago. With Cormac Kernan, Brian Gribben and Sean Mullan unavailable Dub began the match with a new-look forward line. Chris Sherrard posed a constant threat thoughout and he was partnered by Mark Donnelly. Donnelly, more accustomed to playing as a goalkeeper, put in a terrific performance and he scored two goals as well as picking up the man of the match award.

Dub began the match well but then conceeded an early goal when slack defending allowed Adams to run unchallenged and score for the visitors. Dub equalised midway through the half when the impressive Murphy fired home his fourth goal of the season. Dub dominated the rest of the half but for the second week running conceeded a penalty right on the stroke of half time. Shane McGowan fired home to give Brookvilla a 2-1 interval lead.

Dub conceeded a contoversial third goal in the 55th minute when Colm McCann appeared to punch a cross into the net but the goal was given. With Brookvilla leading 3-1 they would surely have put he game beyond Dub but for two magnificent saves from Colm Kernan.

With 20 minutes to go Donnelly pulled a goal back and with Murphy and Quinn controlling the midfield Dub were back in the game. Michael Smyth and Brian Houston were introduced and both were instrumental in the move that set up Shane Murphy with 5 minutes to go. Murphy's shot was parried and Donnelly was on hand to slot home the rebound. It looked as if Dub had salvaged a creditable draw until McGaughey stepped up to fire home one of his trademark free kicks.

Team: C Kernan, K Hill, G Dickson, R McGaughey, L McCollum, J Magee, S Murphy, J Quinn, S McCusker, C Sherrard, M Donnelly

Subs M Smyth for J Magee (55), B Houston for C Sherrard (70)

Rose & Crown Man of the match: Mark Donnelly

As a result of the contract with the South Belfast News there is an 'exclusivity' clause that prevented this report being published on the web until it appearess in the SBN.

Squad

Barry Houston, Chris Sherrard, Mark Donnelly, Colm Kernan, Michael Smyth, Shane Murphy, Liam McCollum, Gareth Dickson, John Quinn, Shane McCusker, John Magee, Kristian Hill, Ryan McGaughey

Subs

Match Statistics

Goals	Mark Donnelly (2) Shane Murphy Ryan McGaughey
Assists	-
Yellow cards	-
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Mark Donnelly