Harvey grabs late winner

Ormeau Park, Sunday 13 January 2002, 1:30PM

Dub FC (0)1 Adelaide FC (0)0

Mark Harvey came off the bench to score a vital goal for Dub FC. His late header secured three points for Dub and ensured that they moved up to fourth place in the Belfast Sunday Premier League.

Dub returned from the Christmas break with five key players unavailable yet this win and performance showed the strength in depth of the squad that has been assembled by the Kernan brothers. This was an evenly contested match and both sides had good opportunities to open the scoring in the first half.

Mark Donnelly returned to goalkeeping duties and made a number of timely interventions that helped him to earn his first clean sheet of the season. Brian Gribben twice came close to opening the scoring for Dub. Sandwiched in between these chances Adelaide missed the best chance of the half when a lob from outside the box went a foot over the bar.

Towards the end of the first half Dub gained control of the midfield and with Sean Mullan and Shane Murphy controlling the centre Shane McCusker and Liam McCollum were able to break down the flanks and set up the chances for Houston and Gribben. At the end of the half Gribben broke free in the box and appeared to be fouled. Gribben thought he had won a penalty but was booked for diving instead.

The second half saw Dub raise their game and they almost scored a spectacular goal when an Adelaide defender headed against his own post. With Dickson and Doherty defending well and Donnelly providing the cover Dub looked safe in defence. The injured Doherty was then replaced by Harvey and John Magee came on for Gribben. Following a scramble in the box McCusker, who played well throughout, teed up Magee but he hit the post when it seemed easier to score.

Magee made amends with 8 minutes to go with a set piece Dub had practised on the training ground. His perfectly floated corner was powerfully headed home by Harvey. Houston had a close range shot saved in the dying minutes but Dub were delighted with the 1-0 victory.

?Team: M Donnelly, K Hill, G Dickson, S Doherty, L McCollum, M Smyth, S Murphy, S Mullan, S McCusker, B Gribben, B Houston

Subs J Magee for B Gribben (52), M Harvey for S Doherty (58) N Ward for K Hill (64)

Rose & Crown Man of the match: Mark Harvey

Belfast Sunday Premier League
Results from 13th January 2002

BSPL Division 2

Chester Park 1 Deanby 1
St Michaels 4 Brookvilla 1
Dub FC 1 Adelaide 0
Boca Seniors 1 Belfast Albion 5
Hotspurs 8 Glen Swifts 0

LEAGUE TABLES
Standings up to and including 13/1/01

Division 2
Hotspurs 33
Chester Park 25
Belfast Albion 18
Dub FC 17
Brookvilla 15
St Michaels 14
Deanby Swifts 13
Adelaide 7
Glen Swifts 6
Boca Seniors 3

Dub move into fourth place while Hotspurs win 8-0 and have 2 players sent off including the keeper. Unfortunately these players won't be eligible to play against Dub in the fixture on the 27th January.

Squad

Barry Houston, Brian Gribbin, Mark Donnelly, Michael Smyth, Shane Murphy, Mark Harvey, Sean Doherty, Liam McCollum, Gareth Dickson, Neal Ward, Sean Mullan, Shane McCusker, John Magee, Kristian Hill

Subs

Match Statistics

Goals	Mark Harvey
Assists	-
Yellow cards	Brian Gribbin
Red cards	-
Man of the match	Mark Harvey