Dungannon Swifts vs Dollingstown

The Irish cup dream for DFC that started back in September last year finally came to an end against Premier league side Dungannon Swifts on Saturday by 4-1.

Manager Uprichard changed the shape of the team to try and retain the ball as much as possible against a very strong opposition who all throughout the 90 minutes played very bright one touch football.

In the opening quarter Dungannon attacked mainly down the left and as early as the 6 th minute they hit the inside of the post only for Moffett to clear the danger . However they went behind on 17 minutes when from a move down the right side the ball was touched in at the near post.

DFC responded very well and almost equalised on the half hour mark when a superb volley by former Dungannon Swifts player Doc Hughes was equally superbly pushed over the bar by Andy Coleman.

However DFC against all odds did get the equaliser a few minutes later when a cross from the left was headed back across goal by Moffett and Thompson headed into the empty net.

The stalemate only lasted a minute before Dungannon broke up field and scored a sublime shot into the top corner of the nett . If only DFC had been able to hold it all square to half time who knows what might have happened.

The game was then wrapped up on 52 minutes when a simple cross from the left was not dealt with by the Dfc defence and it simply drifted into the net . Thompson almost got a goal back again a few minutes later when he drove a free kick goal wards that was once again well tipped over by Coleman in the Dungannon goals.

Keegan and Rodgers were then replaced by Harrison and Gray as DFC reverted to there normal formation in search of goals but Dungannon retained the ball very well and no surprise when they scored there fourth goal from distance on 75 minutes.

Final change for DFC saw Luke Adams replace a tiring Scott Adams as the game drifted into the final quarter.

Overall a great day for DFC as a club which earned many plaudits from Dungannon Swifts and we in turn wish Dungannon all the very best in there quarter final against Warrenpoint next month.

DFC would also like to thank CMB International Ltd in England for sponsoring the players bus to the match and also a special mention to all our young mascots who really enjoyed there day out on the bus etc.

Next up for DFC is a very tough league fixture on Wednesday night at 8 pm away to Crewe Utd.

Dungannon Swifts vs Dollingstown

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

Dungannon Swifts Reserves vs Dollingstown

DFC made the short journey to Stangmore Park on Saturday and got back to a morale winning way with a
relatively easy cup win over a very youthful Dungannon team.

As early as the 14th minute DFC almost went in front following a good run down the right by Jake Redpath
who found Any King free in the box but his shot was headed off the line. They didn’t have to wait long however
as Jordan Gibson intercepted a poor clearance before playing in Ritchie Thompson who calmly rounded the keeper to score.

Then on 22 minutes Dungannon almost equalised when a deflected header hit the crossbar and then followed this up with the lively center forward hitting the post with the keeper beaten.

Marty Hughes on his return to Stangmore where he played for many years put DFC two up with a wonderful opportunist goal from fully 25 yards where he lopped the keeper into the top corner.

Once again great credit to the young Dungannon side who didn’t give up and the hard working center forward pulled a
goal back right on half time with a very cool finish following a long cross field pass.

DFC started the second half on fire with Thompson and Moffett and Hand all missing glorious chances in the opening minutes. However they did score the crucial 3rd goal on 53 minutes when Thompson stroked home his second of the game following good work by full back Redpath.

Manager Gary Duke then introduced two new signings namely J Rodgers for A King in midfield and D Magee for A Walker at left back to give them there debut for the club . Also the returning C Coleman replaced Redpath at right back .

DFC continued to dominate the game at this stage and Gibson who had a good game up front wrapped things up on
70 minutes with a well executed calm finish and Lavery almost made it 5 in the final minutes when his effort rebounded
off the post.