Mid-table side Hanover Reserves provided the opposition for Dollingstown Reserves in last Saturday’s Reserve Division 1 fixture, at Brownstown Park, Portadown.

In what is always a tough encounter, Hanover had the first real chance of the game, their centre midfielder hitting a curled left foot strike from the edge of the ‘D’ forcing Dollingstown goalkeeper Matthew Wigston into making an excellent save, getting up to the top left corner of his goal and palming the ball away for a corner-kick.

However Dollingstown got on top in terms of the gameplay and soon took the lead. On 20 minutes they won a free-kick which was set right by Andy King for Matthew Weir to strike. His effort ricocheted off the Hanover wall and fell out right for Alex Wright to volley in from inside the box.

Half-time – Hanover Reserves 0-1 Dollingstown Reserves

The Planters Park side then stepped it up a gear, hitting 4 goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Steven Lawson made it 2-0 on 46 minutes, nicking the ball off the defender’s toe and driving clear of the Hanover defence before slotting in confidently past the ‘keeper to the bottom left corner of the net. Lawson then completed a 5 minute double; making no mistake from the edge of the 6 yard box after Jason Lavery played it into him.

Lavery himself scored Dollingstown’s fourth goal with 54 minutes gone. Bursting in from the left side, he beat the oncoming ‘keeper and went on to tap in from close range before the backpedalling defender could get close.

It was 5-0 on 65 minutes; substitute Luke Parry hit a long ball up field, clearing his lines from a corner-kick. Lavery got on the end of this, and as he got inside the box was pushed to the ground and the referee pointed to the spot. Centre midfielder Dale McCallum stepped up to take the penalty and slotted in comfortably to the right side of the Hanover ‘keeper.

Full-time – Hanover Reserves 0-5 Dollingstown Reserves

Best on the day for Dollingstown was Alex Wright on the left wing and the centre half pairing of Andy King and Alex Glenn.

Dollingstown Reserves take on the impressive promoted side Tullygally Reserves (away) this week in another league match.

Dollingstown Reserves; Wigston, Allen, Glenn, A. King, Bennett, Mawhinney, Weir, McCallum, A. Wright, Lawson, Lavery. Subs; Parry (replaced Lawson), Freeburn (replaced McCallum), Holmes (replaced Bennett), Swift.

Dollingstown Reserves, on good form after putting Armagh Celtic Firsts out of the Mid Ulster Shield last week, travelled to Havelock Park on Saturday past to take on Seapatrick Reserves in a Reserve Division 1 fixture.

Dollingstown took the lead on 17 minutes; Dan Bennett, who reverted back to left back, fed the ball through to Steven Lawson in the left corner whose cross was inch perfect for Jason Lavery at the back post, who made no mistake in heading home for 1-0.

Goalkeeper Matthew Wigston made an excellent save on 39 minutes, pushing a headed effort away one handed, to keep the score at 1-0 ahead of the half-time break.

Half-time – Seapatrick Reserves 0-1 Dollingstown Reserves

Dollingstown doubled their lead on 54 minutes. Andy King battled to win possession in the midfield area, before slipping through to Jason Lavery. Lavery’s first touch took him past the last defender, and he then finished confidently right footed just as the Seapatrick ‘keeper came off his line.

Lawson made it 3-0 with 58 minutes played. Lavery played the ball over from the left touchline, which sailed over the head of the Seapatrick defender and fell for Lawson beyond the back post, who after sidestepping the defender, looped the ball over the goalkeeper from just outside the 6 yard box.

Lavery completed his second hat-trick in two games on 76 minutes, leaving him with 15 goals in 10 games so far this season. Matthew Weir’s quick pass caught the Seapatrick back four static, as Lavery got on the end of it to slot under the ‘keeper.

Lawson completed the scoring on 83 minutes, hitting a powerful strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner of the net for 5-0.

This was an impressive performance against a team that always battles hard for the points. Best on the day were the ‘Town strikeforce of Jason Lavery and Steven Lawson who took their goals superbly.

Full-time – Seapatrick Reserves 0-5 Dollingstown Reserves

This week Dollingstown Reserves are away to Armagh Celtic Reserves in another league fixture.

Dollingstown Reserves; Wigston, McCallum, Glenn, A. King, Bennett, Allen, Weir, Dunlop, A. Wright, Lawson, Lavery.

Dollingstown Reserves took on Division 1’s Armagh Celtic last Saturday at Gordon Playing Fields, in Round 2 of the Mid Ulster Shield, and progressed after an impressive result against the first team from leagues above!

Dollingstown went 1-0 infront inside the first minute. Matthew Weir played Jason Lavery in through the middle of the Armagh defence, and the pacey striker slotted in past the oncoming ‘keeper.

Dollingstown were pegged back after their strong start on 23 minutes as Armagh equalised. A cross from the right flashed straight across the face of goal and before any Dollingstown player could get it clear, it was knocked in at the back post. Three minutes later Armagh pushed on and took the lead, heading home from a free-kick taken just outside the penalty box.

It was 2-2 on 37 minutes with a similar move to the first goal, again involving Weir and Lavery. Weir showed his passing ability, slipping Lavery in using the outside of his boot, and Dollingstown’s leading goalscorer made no mistake. However Armagh took the lead again almost immediately, their striker got on the end of a long ball over the ‘town defence and hit the back of the net.

With 41 minutes gone, Wez Allen pushed forward on the right, and as he cut inside, set it for Dan Bennett to hit first time, and he levelled the scores at 3-3.

Half-time – Dollingstown Reserves 3-3 Armagh Celtic Firsts

It took 38 minutes of play in the second half before another goal came, and then it went goal crazy. Dollingstown went infront, great work by Lavery on the edge of the box as he wriggled away from three defenders, before passing out left to Bennett who drilled it into the 6 yard box and Alex Wright was able to nip in and beat the defender to score from close range.

Dollingstown then conceded their second penalty of the game on 85 minutes, which this time was converted, making it 4-4.

Lavery scored his third on 87 minutes for 5-4, set up by Alex Wright, he hit the bottom right corner of the net as he burst in from the left. In the third minute of time added on Bennett hit his second, the ball bundled out of the box fell for Andy King to strike, the ‘keeper palmed his effort away, only for Bennett to be on hand to slot in the rebound.

This was an complete all round performance from the full team with Jason Lavery torturing the away sides defence full the full ninety minutes.

Full-time – Dollingstown Reserves 6-4 Armagh Celtic Firsts

Dollingstown Reserves; Wigston, McCallum, Glenn, A. King, Parry, Allen, Weir, Dunlop, A. Wright, Bennett, Lavery. Subs; J. King, P. Heasley, Freeburn, Holmes, Finlay.

Dollingstown Reserves took on last season’s Reserve Division 1 champions Hill Street at Lurgan Park last Saturday, and will be disappointed to have lost the game in the manner in which they did.

Dollingstown had a couple of good chances in the early stages, but it was Hill Street Reserves who took the lead, on 22 minutes almost immediately after a great Dollingstown chance when the Street keeper parried a shot only for the re-bound to come back off the post. The ball was overplayed in defence, and the Hill Street striker nipped through the middle and stotted under ‘keeper Matthew Wigston.

They hit a second goal only one minute later; the ball was bundled in from inside the 6 yard box as the Dollingstown defenders struggled to get a foot on it.

Hill Street were reduced to 10 men as their central midfielder was shown a straight red card on 27 minutes. Dollingstown then took the upper hand for the remainder of the first half.

Half-time – Hill Street Reserves 2-0 Dollingstown Reserves

On the hour mark Dollingstown got a deserved goal to make it 2-1. Matthew Weir tapped in after good work from Steven Lawson, who turned the defender before drilling the ball across goal from the left, to Weir inside the 6 yard box.

Lawson himself then made it 2-2 on 64 minutes, getting on the end of Dan Bennett’s deflected long ball in behind the Hill Street defence, and finishing coolly. However Lawson was ordered off the pitch a few minutes later, after receiving a second yellow card.

This came as a blow to Dollingstown, having looked well on top at this stage of the game, and Hill Street capitalised going in front again on 71 minutes with a good strike from inside the box. They hit a fourth to wrap the game up at 4-2 on 88 minutes, side footing home from a corner kick.

Best on the day was Matthew Weir in the centre of the park for Dollingstown.

Full-time –Hill Street Reserves 4-2 Dollingstown Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Wigston, Allen, Glenn, A. King, Bennett, Mawhinney, Weir, McCallum, A. Wright, Lavery, Lawson. Subs; J. King, Swift, Finlay, Holmes.

This week Dollingstown Reserves play Armagh Celtic Firsts in Round 2 of the Mid Ulster Shield at the Gordon Playing Fields.

Dollingstown Reserves hosted Portadown side Hanover Reserves last Saturday in a Reserve Division 1 fixture.

Dollingstown started slowly, allowing Hanover to push forward and attack in the opening minutes of the game, but they soon found their stride and took the lead on 12 minutes; Luke Parry burst forward on the left into the opposition half and slipped the ball to Town striker Simon Mawhinney. Mawhinney’s shot came off the underside of the ‘keeper’s outstretched arm, and hit the back of the net.

Dollingstown went on to take a firm hold on the game, Jason Lavery doubled the scoring on 25 minutes, Alex Glenn’s long ball down the right touchline was picked up by Lavery, the Hanover ‘keeper rushed out of his box to meet the striker, but Lavery took his chance early and hit a precise, low shot from his wide position into the empty net.

Half-time – Dollingstown Reserves 2-0 Hanover Reserves

It was 3-0 after just four minutes of the second half. Lavery beat the offside trap, and hit a left footed strike, which slipped in between the Hanover goalkeeper and his near post.

The Planters Park side were reduced to 10 men on 69 minutes, with Luke Parry shown a straight red card which he can have no argument with. Manager Graeme Hynds then reshuffled his side; Alex Wright replaced Mawhinney and went on at left midfield, with Lavery playing as a lone striker.

This was an accomplished team performance from front to back, played in difficult conditions. Full credit must go to all the players.

Full-time – Dollingstown Reserves 3-0 Hanover Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Wigston, McCallum, A. King, Glenn, Bennett, Allen, Weir, Dunlop, Parry, Mawhinney, Lavery. Subs; A. Wright (replaced Mawhinney), J King, Swift, Holmes, Freeburn.

Next up for Dollingstown Reserves are last year’s Reserve Division 1 champions, Hill Street Reserves at Lurgan Park.

Dollingstown Reserves were away to Scarva Rangers Reserves on Saturday past in their O’Hara Cup Round 2 tie.

Scarva had the first effort on goal of the game; Glenn Freeburn forced to make a good save from a headed opportunity. However it was Dollingstown who took the lead. On 34 minutes, Wez Allen crossed in from the right, Matthew Weir’s header hit post, but he was quickest to react to this and smashed the rebound in for 1-0.

Half-time – Scarva Rangers Reserves 0-1 Dollingstown Reserves

Dollingstown were reduced to 10 men on 52 minutes, striker Steven Lawson was sent off after his second booking. Scarva then began to pile on the pressure and eventually got their reward as they levelled the scores on 84 minutes. With their midfielder bursting forward into the box, the ball fell for him to slot home, with ‘keeper Freeburn caught out of position.

End of normal time – Scarva Rangers Reserves 1-1 Dollingstown Reserves

As this was a cup fixture, the game had to be settled on the day, therefore 10 minutes of extra time was played each way. Scarva took up their place in the next round of the cup as they scored with only minutes to go before a penalty shoot-out would have been needed. The ball was played in from the right, and a well placed header from inside the 6 yard box left Dollingstown frustrated and disappointed. Best on the day for Dollingstown was Alex Glenn who defended resolutely for the full game.

After Extra-Time – Scarva Rangers Reserves 2-1 Dollingstown Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Freeburn, Allen, McCallum, Glenn, Heasley, A. Wright, Dunlop, Weir, Walker, Mawhinney, Lawson. Subs; Lavery (replaced Mawhinney), Parry (replaced Dunlop), Johnston (replaced McCallum).

Dollingstown Reserves face Hanover Reserves in a Reserve Division 1 fixture this week at Planters Park.

Dollingstown Reserves hosted Tandragee Reserves on Saturday in what turned out to be a comfortable victory for the home side with the match ending 7 – 0.

Dollingstown made a number of changes from their victory over Tullygally the week before with Andy King coming in to the starting eleven after his suspension and goalkeeper Matthew Wigston making his debut.

Dollingstown were on top in the opening exchanges and missed a number of chances but eventually took the lead on 30 minutes when Andy King’s free-kick was taken short to Lawson who hit a superb looping effort from 35 yards in to the top right corner of the Tandragee net giving their keeper no chance.

Captain Wez Allen doubled the lead on 43 minutes, the lively Dan Bennett bursting forward from left-back, getting into the space behind the opposition defence, and drilled the ball in low and hard to the 6 yard box for Allen to nip in and make it 2-0.

Dollingstown then made it 3-0 just before half-time. Matthew Weir’s long ball in to the box fell perfectly for Lawson at the back post who took his touch before hitting home from a tight angle.

Half-time – Dollingstown Reserves 3-0 Tandragee Rovers Reserves

At half-time Dollingstown were encouraged to continue their passing style and not to take their foot off the pedal and added a fourth on 52 minutes. Alex Wright, on the left, played Jason Lavery in on goal who lifted the ball over the Tandragee ‘keeper.

It was 5-0 a couple of minutes later when the industrious Allen played the ball down the right touchline for Lavery, who drove into the box and beat the ‘keeper at his near post.

On 62 minutes, Lawson won possession after some sloppy defending and almost immediately hit another great strike which came off the crossbar. Moments later Lawson completed a well deserved hat trick with a shot which caught the bewildered ‘keeper out as it sailed over him into the net for six.

Dollingstown wrapped up the scoring on 74 minutes. Lawson was taken down inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Lawson passed the penalty-taking responsibility on to his strike partner, substitute Simon Mawhinney who slotted into the bottom right corner, despite the Tandragee goalkeeper guessing the right way.

This was a superb all round performance by Dollingstown who worked hard from the first minute, played at a high tempo throughout and never gave the opposition time on the ball.

Next up for the team is a trip to Scarva Rangers Reserves in the second round of the O’Hara Cup.

Full-time – Dollingstown Reserves 7-0 Tandragee Rovers Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Wigston, McCallum, A. King, Glenn, Bennett, Allen, Weir, Dunlop, A. Wright, Lavery, Lawson. Subs; Mawhinney (replaced Lavery), Parry (replaced Weir), Finlay (replaced A. King).

Dollingstown were without manager Graeme Hynds, called into action for the first team after an injury to goalkeeper Ryan McConville.

The first goal came on 3 minutes, in favour of the home team. Dan Bennett whipped the ball in from the left, first team striker Adam Montgomery took a touch to control, and shot past the opposition ‘keeper. Tullygally equalised almost immediately however, a long range cross from the right touchline, caught Glenn Freeburn out in the Dollingstown goal.

Tullygally took the lead after 14 minutes, their aptly named striker Rooney, ran clear of the defence and slotted into the bottom corner.

On 20 minutes Jason Lavery burst through a gap in the Tullygally defence, chasing down Alex Wright’s through ball. He sidestepped the ‘keeper and slotted in from a tight angle to make it 2-2.

Tullygally took the lead again on 27 minutes. A free-kick swung in from the left was headed back across goal to the striker in space, who shot into the roof of the net.

Half-time – Dollingstown Reserves 2-3 Tullygally Reserves

10 minutes into the second half, Matthew Weir took up possession on the edge of the ‘D’ and slipped the ball out to Wright, coming into the box from the right, and his shot nestled in the bottom left corner of the net to bring the scores level again.

Montgomery hit his second goal on 70 minutes, to give the Town the lead for the second time. Alex Glenn took a quick free-kick, slipping the ball in to Montgomery whose finish made it 4-3. With this goal Tullygally were reduced to 10 men, the protests of their player earning him a red card.

Simon Mawhinney hit a fifth for Dollingstown, after coming on as a substitute for his first league appearance of the season. He followed up on Lavery’s deflected effort on 81 minutes, his strike from the right going in off the inside of the left post.

Keith Johnston also came on and scored in his first league game of the season. In the last minute of normal time, he set himself up after receiving the ball from a right side throw in, and made it 6-3.

Tullygally pulled a goal back in injury time, a long range effort just out of Freeburn’s reach. An impressive attacking display from the Town team with Dunlop and Wright impressive throughout.

Full-time – Dollingstown Reserves 6-4 Tullygally Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Freeburn, Allen, Glenn, McCallum, Bennett, Jones, Dunlop, Weir, A. Wright, Lavery, Montgomery. Subs; Mawhinney (replaced Jones), Johnston (replaced Lavery), Finlay (replaced A. Wright).

Dollingstown Reserves were up against last year’s league runners up, St. Mary’s, on Saturday at Planters Park and were shown the standard they need to reach to challenge for this year’s title, going down 3-0 to the Portadown side.

The first goal came on 5 minutes, a penalty kick slotted into the bottom right corner of the net, gave away by Dale McCalen, but this decision along with others throughout the match surprised both sides, and was heavily questioned by Dollingstown players.

St. Mary’s doubled their lead on 9 minutes. The opposition striker on the by-line, cut the ball back for the oncoming player to strike home from just outside the 6 yard box.

It was 3-0 on 42 minutes, Dollingstown goalkeeper Glenn Freeburn came out of his net in an attempt to close down the striker in possession, who beat him before crossing for his strike partner to slot into the empty goal.

Half-time – Dollingstown Reserves 0-3 St. Mary’s Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves upped their game in the second half, but couldn’t get the goals they needed. Manager Graeme Hynds changed the sides formation, and used his three substitutions, with Stevie Nicholl replacing Adam Burns, Phil Dunlop replacing Alex Glenn and Ryan Finlay replacing Jason Lavery, but still their efforts were not enough.

Steven Lawson was taken down in the box on 73 minutes, only to see his penalty saved by the St. Mary’s ‘keeper. Dollingstown were reduced to 10 men on 79 minutes as defender Andy King was sent off.

Full-time – Dollingstown Reserves 0-3 St. Mary’s Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Freeburn, Burns, A. King, McCalen, Parry, Glenn, Allen, Weir, A. Wright, Lavery, Lawson. Subs; Nicholl (replaced Burns), Dunlop (replaced Glenn), Finlay (replaced Lavery).

Dollingstown Reserves will hope to get back on track this week as they face promoted side Tullygally Reserves at home.

Manchester United and Arsenal aren’t the only teams to take part in an 8-2 goal-fest lately. Dollingstown Reserves took on Lurgan BBOB Reserves in Round 1 of the O’Hara Cup last Saturday at Lurgan Park, and progressed by that same scoreline.

Dollingstown went 1-0 infront after only 3 minutes, Steven Lawson drilled the ball across the 6 yard box, for Alex Wright to nip in and beat the ‘keeper.

Jason Lavery showed his ability as he struck goals two and three. On 10 minutes, he produced a great right foot finish from outside the penalty box after being played in by Matthew Weir. Then on the quarter hour mark, he made it 3-0, taking a short corner to Lawson, who returned the ball to Lavery, and taking one touch to set himself up, he shot left footed into the bottom of the net.

With 32 minutes played Dollingstown goalkeeper Glenn Freeburn gave away a penalty kick as he attempted to close down the oncoming striker. However he made a good save from what was the BBOB’s first real goalscoring opportunity.

The Town hit their fourth goal just before half-time; Luke Parry played the ball into Lawson at the edge of the box, who rounded two defenders and the ‘keeper before tapping in.

Half-time – Dollingstown Reserves 4-0 Lurgan BBOB Reserves

Dollingstown were quick out of the blocks again in the second half, Lawson picking up possession himself and hitting the bottom corner of the net after just 2 minutes. He then got his hat-trick on 63 minutes. A free-kick just outside the box was set left by Andy King for Lawson to shoot. His powerful strike hit the inside of the right post and flew in.

The BBOB then scored to make it 6-1, Phil Moutray’s shot from just inside the box wrong footing Freeburn in the Dollingstown goal. Alex Glenn soon got in on the scoring for Graeme Hynds’ side with their seventh on 72 minutes. Luke Parry’s shot from close range came out off the ‘keeper into the path of Glenn, who made no mistake slotting home.

10 minutes from time Lavery got his third, picking up the ball inside the box, he lobbed the keeper for 8-1. The BBOB got a goal back on 83 minutes, breaking quickly, and slotting over Freeburn as he went down.

Full-time – Dollingstown Reserves 8-2 Lurgan BBOB Reserves

Dollingstown Reserves; Freeburn, Glenn, A. King, Burns, Bennett, A. Wright, Allen, Weir, Parry, Lawson, Lavery. Subs; Nicholl (replaced A. Wright), J. King (replaced Lawson), Dunlop (replaced Lavery).

Dollingstown Reserves are back in league action this week, taking on St. Mary’s Reserves with a 2:15 KO.