• By Aaron McGlade

Liggett Hat-Trick Defeats Limavady In Five Star Performance

• By Aaron McGlade

Devastating Duke Bags Four As Impressive Dollybirds Bring Back 3 Points

With this being the only match played today in the PIL it was important DFC got back to winning ways after the recent defeat to Bangor and they did thus emphatically away to Moyola Park who themselves were coming of a resounding cup victory the previous week themselves.

DFC set the tempo very early on with twin strikers Liggett and Johnson combining very well and there strike partner Thompson had to leave the pitch early with an injury and was replaced by Duke, and what an impact he made with his very first touch tapping in from close range after the home keeper dropped a cross from Glen Hand.

His second goal minutes later was sublime after Johnson played him in down the channel but he beat the keeper to the ball before converting from a very acute angle.

DFC has two further great chances before the interval but despite great build up play they failed to convert them.

Credit to Moyola they came more into the match in the second half and got a goal back despite the heroic efforts of Maguire in goals.

Mooney almost restored the 2 goal lead but his header was cleared off the line.

Manager Uprichard then changed the shape of the team to help combat Moyola and Liggett was replaced by young Sean Toman.

McConnell returning after injury today then went on a run from inside his own half and set up Duke who rifled his shot into the roof of the net for his hat trick.

Mooney then made way for Kernaghan before Johnson went on a great run resulting in his shot coming back of the bar and that man Duke was there again to head in number 4 of the afternoon.

This was a strong resolute team performance against a very strong opposition.

• By Aaron McGlade

Penalty Win Puts Dollingstown Into 1/4 Final Draw Of Intermediate Cup

Both teams served up a tense game that went all the way to extra time and penalties before DFC got there name in the hat for the quarter final draw.

In very windy conditions both teams battled hard on what must be one of the biggest pitches around in the local game,

Paterson on his comeback from injury only lasted 8 minutes before a recurrence and he had to be replaced by Elliot Rea and Rodgers forced a fine save from the home keeper before finally going in front on 33 minutes when Liggett headed home from a sublime cross by Hand,

DFC had a triple chance right in half time but the home keeper pulled off fantastic saves to leave it only 1-0 at the interval.

Crumlin scored a great equaliser from distance early in the second half before Johnson latched on to a good pass from Thompson to restore the lead again however the home side fired home another unstoppable shot to equalise again as the game ebbed and flowed.

Maguire then pulled off an amazing save to force extra time and penalties with Hand scoring number 5 to get the away team over the line and into the quarter finals.

• By Aaron McGlade

Dollybirds Get The Job Done Against A Tough Moyola Park

League action returned today on a wet and sticky surface after very heavy overnight rain.

Moyola Park came out fighting and went in front after only 8 minutes when the striker was allowed plenty of room to get his shot away and this deflected off Moffett to give them the opening goal.

Few minutes later it was all square when Hand played in Johnson and he calmly dispatched his shot into the bottom corner.

Then on 35 minutes DFC went in front with Redpath heading in from close range and Moyola almost equalised with Maguire saving low down at the near post.

However more sloppy defending allowed the away team to equalise once again right on half time.

The home side went in front again when McConnell won a good header at the back post to set up Johnson to volley home.

Maguire again came to the rescue with a smart save at his near post before Johnson missed out on his hat trick after a superb reverse pass from McCullough.

Jones and Thompson then made way for Gourley and the returning Mooney after 8 weeks out injured.

Tough game and 3 very hard earned points today.

Matchday Sponsor – GRACEHALL – HISTORIC MANOR HOUSE
https://www.gracehall.co.uk/

Matchball Sponsor – ECOHOG LTD
https://ecohog.com/

• By Aaron McGlade

The Dollybirds Give The Mallards A Tough Test In Irish Cup But Come Away With Narrow Defeat

DFC made the long trip to championship side Ballinamallard United in the 5th round of the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup on Saturday and came away with a very narrow 1-0 defeat.

DFC set up to keep the game tight from the opening minutes and the home side should have scored when a free header from a left wing cross was headed over the bar.

Then after failing to clear there lines DFC were almost outdone but the shot was deflected for a corner and Maguire then pulled off a fine save to keep the score line blank.

On a rare break away Hand fired over the bar before another fine stop by Maguire who was finally beaten with what turned out to be the only goal of the game on 44 minutes despite saving the initial shot he was beaten on the follow up.

Credit to DFC in the second half as they changed formation with Liggett replacing Patterson and they controlled aspects of the game which will be pleasing for the management team.

A neat move down the right between Gourley and Thompson seen a good shot dip over the bar and Thompson was thought one on one with the keeper in a race for the ball but again failed to convert.

Thompson then made way for Elliott Rea and in the final minute the all exclusive chance came there way but Acheson shot was smothered by Connolly in the home goal.

We would like to thank Ballinamallard for there kind hospitality and wish them all the best in the next round.

Back to league action now for the remainder of the season starting with a very difficult home fixture next Saturday against a resurgent Moyola Park team.

• By Aaron McGlade

DFC In Dominant Derby Win In-front Of Great Crowd At Planters Park

This local derby was played in front of an excellent crowd at Planters Park with the home side getting revenge for 3 defeats last season with a convincing 5-1 score line.

Liggett set the tempo as early as the first minute with the keeper making an easy save and then almost immediately at the other end it took an excellent save from Maguire to keep out the visitors.

Then on 8 minutes the visitors almost went in front but for yet another excellent stop by Maguire in the home goals and a minute later the home side went in front after a great through ball by Rogers found Johnson who calmly rounded the keeper for the opening score.

Acheson playing for the first time against his former team hit a wicked free kick from distance that was well saved before another free flowing move down the left seen Johnson deliver a beautiful pass for Thompson to acrobatically score number two.

It was that man Johnson again this time on the right flank who crossed for McConnell who was coming in at the back post to head number 3 before the break.

Banbridge came more into the game in the second half with the young winger showing great promise on his senior debut but it was Thompson who scored his second and teams fourth goal low into the bottom corner.

Jones and Redpath and Thompson then all made way for Patterson , Rea and Gourley to get a run out before Liggett netted number 5.

Credit to Banbridge who kept plugging away and they got a consolation goal in the final minute.

Special thanks to Magheralin Village FC who came down to support us today before there Christmas party tonight.

Also to many of our former players who also came out today to cheer on the boys, great to see you all down.

We would like to wish all our players, supporters , volunteers and especially our numerous sponsors a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas with there families.

Our MATCHDAY Sponsor’s today were HUGHES MUSHROOMS, part of the Hughes Group, your support is much appreciated.

• By Aaron McGlade

Dollybirds Crash Out Of The Intermediate Cup To Unbeaten East Belfast

DFC hosted high flying East Belfast in the McComb’s Coach Travel Intermediate Cup on Saturday and despite an assured start the visitors progressed to the next round courtesy of a 3-1 victory.

The home side should have went in front in the opening two minutes when Glenn Hand pulled a superb ball back across goal but from 2 yards out Liggett shot was miraculous cleared off the line.

Then a few minutes later they were punished at the back when an attempted clearance by Moffett was well saved by Maguire but the striker followed up quickly to hammer in the rebound.

Then on 25 minutes Johnson beat the static defence only to lob his shot over the keeper and over the crossbar.

The second half continued to be tight and Jones and King were replaced by McCullough and Thompson plus Patterson was also replaced by Gourley.

However the visitors scored twice in quick succession from the edge of the box and despite a late consolation from Liggett the game drifted away.

This was an awakening call overall to the team who will need to perform at a much higher tempo next week at home to Banbridge Town in the league with 2pm kick off.