Sep 26 2016
Duke At The Treble To See Dollybirds Into Semi Final

For the second match running DFC played Dungannon Swifts but this time it was there very young U20 team in the quarter-final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup on a wet and windy Planters Park.

Indeed it was the visitors who caused a shock on 7 minutes when they went in front after a quick break down the left and Tommy Roscoe found himself unmarked in the box to slide the ball home.

DFC seemed to have their club party on their mind as they simply were second to every ball allowing Dungannon to play the ball out all the time from the back but they got back on level terms on 18 minutes when Duke headed home from a good right-wing cross by Harrison and both teams went in at the interval level with manager Gary Duke giving his side a stern warning as to their application after the break.

Harrison thought he had put DFC in front on 55 minutes when the keeper spilled a shot from Duke and Harrison followed up to put the ball in the net but ruled out for offside.

Harrison did get on the score sheet on 63 minutes when a fine move involving Redpath and Adams resulted in the keeper saving well from Duke but this time Harrison was on side to tap in from close range.

Shortly after this Doc was replaced by Jack Clark and this was then followed by Hand being replaced by Jake Keegan and Coleman by MC Connell.

Keegan was promptly involved in the third goal when his delightful cross was superbly headed home by Duke.

A minute later Roscoe nearly pulled a goal back for Dungannon but Croft pulled off a great save.

Then to put the icing on the cake and put DFC into the semi final Duke completed his hat trick with a sublime finish when he chipped the keeper from the edge of the area.

Not a great performance from DFC but they did enough to overcome a very youthful Dungannon side.

DFC would like to thank Lurgan Tyre Center for sponsoring the match.

Match Pictures

Sep 23 2016
Intermediate Cup: Dollybirds To Visit Ballynahinch Olympic

Dollingstown will travel in the 1st round of the Intermediate Cup after the draw was made this evening. Ballynahinch Olympic will be the opponents.

The Full Draw (ties to be played on October 22nd, 2016 (kick-off 1:30pm)

18th Newtownabbey OB v. Immaculata
Albert Foundry v. Islandmagee
Ardglass v. Sirocco Works
Ards II v. Bangor Swifts
Ards Rangers v. UUJ
Ardstraw v. Valley Rangers
Ballymoney United v. Ballinamallard United Reserves
Ballynahinch Olympic v. Dollingstown
Ballynahinch United v. Glentoran II
Banbridge Town v. Bangor
Bangor Amateurs v. Dromore Amateurs
Barn United v. Oxford United Stars
Bloomfield v. Tullyvallen
Brantwood v. Sport & Leisure Swifts
Broomhedge Maghaberry v. Strabane Athletic
Chimney Corner v. Downshire YM
Coleraine Reserves v. Newcastle
Crewe United v. Rosario YC
Crumlin Star v. Seagoe
Crumlin United v. Saintfield United
Derriaghy CC v. Tobermore United
Donard Hospital v. Shankill United
Donegal Celtic v. Ballymacash Rangers
Dundela v. Wakehurst
Dungannon Rovers v. Dromara Village
Dungiven v. Dunloy
East Belfast v. Crusaders Reserves
Fivemiletown United v. Newry City AFC
Glebe Rangers v. Abbey Villa
Grove United v. Wellington Rec.
Killyleagh YC v. Comber Rec.
Laurelvale v. Mossley
Limavady United v. Iveagh United
Linfield Swifts v. Ballywalter Rec.
Lisburn Distillery v. Camlough Rovers
Lisburn Rangers v. Drumaness Mills
Lower Maze v. Dundonald
Magherafelt Sky Blues v. Holywood
Maiden City v. AFC Silverwood
Portaferry Rovers v. Malachians
Queen’s University v. Coagh United
Rathfern Rangers v. Moyola Park
Rathfriland Rangers v. Newbuildings United
Richhill AFC v. Lurgan Town
Seapatrick v. Markethill Swifts
Shorts v. Windmill Stars
Sofia Farmer v. Newtowne
St. Luke’s v. Ballynure OB
Trojans v. Ballymena United Reserves

Byes: Banbridge Rangers, Bourneview Mill, Carrick Rangers Reserves, Cliftonville Olympic, Craigavon City, Desertmartin, Hanover, Larne Tech. OB, Moneyslane, Newington, Nortel, Oxford Sunnyside, Portstewart, St. Mary’s YC, St. Patrick’s YM

Sep 23 2016
Swifts Comeback Knocks Dollingstown Out Of The Mid Ulster Cup

DFC made the short journey to Stangmore park which was in its usual pristine condition for the Mid Ulster Cup clash and gave a very credible performance against their Premier league rivals that had around 6-7 members of their first team squad on display.

The first half seen little goal mouth action although a Glackin shot from the left caused concern for Croft in the DFC goals and Taggart on the other wing was also very lively for dungannon.

However DFC did play controlled football with Redpath on the right being the source of most attacking width.

DFC shocked their opponents on 50 minutes when a great ball from Rodgers dissected the Dungannon back line and Norton ran through the middle from distance and superbly beat Addis low to his left to open the score.

Then within two minutes DFC further increased their lead when a cross from Glenn Hand found Clark inside the box but he was pulled down as he went to shoot and Duke calmly converted from the spot.

However this spurred Dungannon into life on 63 minutes after a great block by Moffett the ball broke in the area for Sammy Haugh to steer home.

With DFC tiring as the game entered the final 15 minutes manager Duke replaced Rodgers and Norton with Keegan and Harrison plus Scott Adams replaced Clark.

However within a minute of these changes Dungannon equalised when Davy Wilson converted from almost on the right touch-line deceiving keeper Croft at his near post and then with 5 minutes to go Haugh scored the winner after DFC were opened up down the middle.

However a very encouraging performance overall.

Sep 23 2016
Seventh Heaven For The Dollybirds

DFC made the trip to Mill field on sat to take on Armagh Rovers in the Marshall cup and came away with a deserved win despite some sloppy play at various times.

Indeed Armagh took the lead on 4 minutes with a deflected free kick but ten minutes later it was all square when recent new signing Jack fired first time low into the corner and same player scored the goal of the game on 25 minutes when he scored from fully 30 yards with his shot rebounding from the cross bar and Norton further increased this on the half hour after good work down the left by Duke but then before the interval Armagh got one back when they easily lobbed keeper Croft.

DFC opened brightly at the start of the second half when a great cross from Redpath was superbly converted by defender Matt Walker.

Manager Duke then replaced Norton and Gray with Harrison and Keegan and soon went 5-2 up through the other central defender Andy Martin.

Armagh never gave up and there left winger scored a very well taken third goal for them but DFC responded with Duke tapping in after good work down the right again by Redpath.

Duke was then replaced in the final minutes by Scott Adams and it was the other sub Harrison who notched goal number 7 with a beautiful lob over the keeper.

Next up for DFC on Tuesday night is the Mid Ulster cup game away to Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

Sep 11 2016
Reserves Just Lose Out In High Scoring Junior Cup Game

Another spirited performance from a very young Dollingstown team who yet again prove that I you are good enough then you are old enough. The team today consisted of three 16 year olds an three 17 year olds starting with another on the bench. A debut came from Josiah Burgess in the middle of the park and the 16 year old showed composure and awareness beyond his years.

The first half started off with Connor on the front foot and they got their just rewards after 6 minutes when a lapse in concentration from a throwin saw the big striker hammer the ball from 12 yards out into the top corner. After that Dollingstown seemed to start to click into gear and a very good spell of 20 minutes saw Dollingstown on top, Matthew Russell made some excellent movement down the left that saw him one on one only for his effort to be scuffed straight at the keeper. Josh Millar, Colin Lavery and Carl Diven also had half chances that were either blocked or well saved.

With Dollingstown on top they were pegged back again on 38 minutes when a cross was flicked on at the near post and a goal mouth scramble saw Connor extend their lead. As with what happened last week immediately after conceding we managed to pull one back after Carl managed to isolate the left back and force him into a foul in the box, the resulting penalty was neatly converted by Carl.

HT 1-2

Second half started the same way as the first with Connor on top and again getting their rewards when a short corner was well worked and finished off in the bottom left corner.

Again Dollingstown rallied and showed good fight and determination all over the pitch which with excellent work the the midfield trio if Josiah, Josh and Connor a trough ball was played to Colin Lavery who finished superbly from 18 yards out making it two goals in two games, 3-2 game on, 67 minutes gone.

A host of chances and missed opportunities over the next 15 minutes was what cost us the game, Connor FC once again were clinical in front of goal when an attempted clearance fell fortunately to their striker who again finished with a lob making it 4-2 with 83 minutes played.

Again Dollingstown rallied and an excellent header from Colin Lavery made it 4-3 with six minutes to play sadly we could not break them down one final time.

FT 4-3. Another determined and spirited display from a very young team with and average age of 19 today.

MATCH PICTURES – Thanks to Eamonn at EDS Photography

Manager’s Comments

It was a tough game for our young lads against a very physical team. We showed great character to get back into the game 3 times after going 2 goals behind. Chances were created to take the game to extra time but things just didnt go our way. We have progressed well over the last two competitive matches and we look forward to the next challenge

Sep 11 2016
Norton Nicks It To See The Dollybirds In The Next Round

Both teams faced each other for the third time in a month with each team having a victory each and indeed Banbridge have been the only team do far go beat DFC.

Norton started up front on Saturday and set the tempo of the game on 12 minutes when he pulled the ball back for Doc but his tame effort was easily saved.

Then Banbridge were reduced to 10 men on 27 minutes when there number 10 was sent off for persistent fouling and two yellow cards.

Right on half time DFC should have went in front when the hard working Norton bullied his way past defenders and Duke should have scored after the keeper dropped the ball.

The second half seen Banbridge create more chances with 10 men and only a good save down low to his left by Croft kept the scores blank.

Scott Adams was then replaced by Harrison on the hour mark and two minutes later Norton put DFC in front after the keeper dropped a cross from Redpath.

Doc was then replaced by Rodgers and Duke by Glen Hand as DFC held out for the win that sees them into the next found of the Bob Radcliffe cup.

Further good news after the game was the signing of experienced central defender Neil King who has been out injured for 9 months but now back in training again.

Sep 4 2016
MATCH REPORT: St. Mary’s 1 – 2 Dollingstown

DFC made the short trip on sat to Portadown to play St Mary’s and came away with maximum points despite having as many as 6 players missing through either injury, holiday or work.

Indeed the two new signings on transfer day namely Jack Clark in midfield and Jake Keegan on the wing had to make there debut to give the side the necessary balance.

Playing on a slippery 3G surface was never easy for either team and on 17 minutes Sam Marshall fired St Mary’s into the lead with a wonderful strike from distance that flew into the top corner of the net giving Croft no chance at all in goals.

Then DFC levelled on the half hour mark when a long clearance from Redpath caught out player manager Hagan and the home keeper and Duke gladly headed home into an empty net.

St Mary’s lost captain Lawless to injury five minutes before the interval but almost regained the lead right in half time when an exquisite reverse pass opened up the DFC defence but Croft in goals pulled off a wonder save to make it all square at the break.

DFC went in front on 53 minutes with what proved the winner when new signing Jake Keegan put in a delighted cross from the right wing that was superbly finished low down to the keepers side by Aaron Duke again.

On the hour mark Josh Norton came on for Harrison who was having an off day and he set about with pace to keep the St Mary’s back line busy and indeed on 70 minutes he should have wrapped up the game when one on one with the home keeper but his effort fell wide of the far post.

St Mary’s then threw everything at DFC in search of an equaliser with Hagan hitting the bar on 86 minutes and young Ryan Creaney causing a lot of pressure on the left wing but skipper Moffett put his body on the line a few times to endure maximum points again.

Next sat DFC are away to Banbridge Rangers in the Bob Radcliffe cup at 2 pm who have already inflicted a cup defeat this season to DFC.