drinking bourbon, wearing a turban.
Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
drinking bourbon, wearing a turban.
The fox in the box who has 2 massive cox
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Dollingstown vs Cliftonville
5th January 2038
The league leaders came to Planters Park and it was another capacity crowd in Dollingstown. Johnny McGurgan got a start alongside David Kee whilst Jimmy Boyd was serving a match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards so Michael Coyle started next to Sean Sheridan. Marc Kerr played the ball through to Cullen beating Mulholland and he slotted low past Whelan to give Cliftonville an early lead on 12 minutes. David Kee sent the ball into the box from the free-kick and Quinn heqded back across goal, Mulholland struck it but the shot was blocked, he had another go and the rebound fell to Morgan whose shot was turned behind. Kerr broke down the right but Luke Walker dealt with him brilliantly putting in two good tackles, the 17 year old has really come on this season. Kurtis Kane was on to replace Johnny McGurgan for the start of the second half. O'Shea and Young came on but had little impact from the bench and Kerr set up Fitzgerald to knock it at the near post to secure the win for Cliftonville on 91 minutes. The league leaders get their 20th win of the season, nobody expected Dollingstown to get anything against a much better team today but there were some good individual performances especially in defence.
PLAYER RATINGS
Moyola Park vs Dollingstown
Northern Irish Cup Fifth Round
9th January 2038
Dollingstown travelled to Castledawson, County Londonderry to take on Moyola Park playing in the NIFL Premier Intermediate League. Moyola Park FC were the first team to win the Northern Irish Cup back in 1880/81 and are the current holders of the Northern Irish Steel and Sons Cup after pulling off a shock victory over Bluefin Sport Championship side Larne. Dollingstown were without recent new signings for the trip due to them being cup tied. Euan Henderson gave a start to Johnny McGurgan to build his match fitness playing next to Thomas Delaney. O'Shea and Young started on the wings and Luke Kemp and Ryan Reilly started in attack. Delaney won the ball back on 8 minutes and passed forward to Young who moved it to the left for O'Shea, he crossed in on the bounce for Kemp and his header was cleared off the line! Dollingstown won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Young played it close to the keeper at the near post and he palmed it over his line making it 1-0 on 12 minutes! The handful of Dollingstown supporters who made the trip gave a cheer as their captain his 7th of the season! It was a good start for Dollingstown who appeared well organised, McGurgan won the ball back and passed to Kemp, he played it right to Young who pounced forward into the box and tried a shot before it went out of play and got a corner. Simon Young was looking dangerous from set-pieces, this time almost dipping in under the bar but the keeper tipped it over. Young took the corner and Kemp went up to head at the far post! The referee came over and said Kemp used his hand, there's no replays to check at Mill Meadow but it did look like his arm was up. There was no booking for Kemp. Johnny McGurgan got another good run out, last just under 60 minutes. He was replaced by Duncan Herron. Delaney intercepted the ball from the throw-in and played in Young who hit it against the post, that would have sealed the game. Ward played the free-kick for Moyola to the far post, it evaded the heads of everyone, Kavanagh knocked it across goal dangerously and Sproule's outstretched leg caught it to take it over the line, 1-1. Glenn Hughes came on for Ryan Reilly with 20 minutes to go. David Kee was on for the last ten minutes and Dollingstown had a corner, it was played across and Sproule fouled Kemp, the referee pointed to the spot! David Kee to take with his first kick of the game and he beats the keeper with a powerful strike! 2-1! A few minutes remained and it was up to Dollingstown to keep things tight. Best tried a shot from range and Mackle smothered it easily. David Kee was a calm presence on the pitch, calming the younger lads down. It's job done in the cup and Dollingstown move into the last sixteen.
EH: We're getting that winning feeling a bit more and we need to keep getting points in the league. There's six games left before the league splits into two and I think we know for sure we're going to be in that bottom section. If we keep believing in ourselves, we can really put up a fight against relegation.
PLAYER RATINGS
Dungannon Swifts vs Dollingstown
16th January 2038
It's a tough away trip to 2nd place Dungannon with many saying it should be a very much one sided game. Henderson brought his big guns back for this one with Whelan in goal, Kurtis Kane next to McGurgan in the middle, Kyle Morgan and Nicky Quinn on both flanks and Jimmy Boyd up top with Sean Sheridan. New signing Jack Murray made the bench. Jake Whelan saved the team on 14 minutes when Gary McKenna was caught in possession by McDowell and Whelan was quick off his line to close him down at close range. Johnston played a hopeful ball forward for McDowell two minutes before half-time and the chase was on between him and Mulholland, Mulholland was brushed aside and it was smashed past Whelan who got a hand to it. Ten minutes later Doyle played a low ball across the box and both McNally and McKenna were caught daydreaming allowing Lecky to knock it in at the post. Henderson and Feerguson were having a chat and they pushed McGurgan further up the pitch into a more attacking role. The ball was played over the top for Boyd by Kane, he took the shot and smacked the bar, so close. Dungannon were clinical in attack and got their third through Mahashe, his shot seemed to have took a big deflection but it found its way into the net on 63 minutes. Luke Kemp was the first change replacing Johnny McGurgan. Jimmy Boyd got the ball on the edge of the box and managed to get it into the six yard box for Sheridan to tap in making it 3-1! Dollingstown were fighting back and on 72 minutes Boyd was fouled inside the box winning his team a penalty! Nicky Quinn fancied it and he went right down the middle with power to get it to 3-2! There's still time for an equaliser! McNally got the ball wide to Quinn, he looked dangerous in possession, Luke Kemp joined ther attack and showed some skill with a clever pass forward to Boyd but his shot was blocked. Steven Porter took the ball in the left back position and fancied the long ball which Sheridan worked hard to win, he knocked it across the box and Jimmy Boyd was there to make it 3-3 on 83 minutes! What a comeback! Dollingstown have got three goals back! Dungannon had a free-kick on 85 minutes and it was crossed into the box, McNally had hands on Lyness and the referee awarded a penalty which could change the game. Lecky put the ball down and went to the right and Whelan saved! Fantastic save! Dollingstown cleared the corner but Downey lofted it back into the box and McDowell drove it home to get his 20th of the season and the fourth for Dungannon. Quinn tried one last attack with a ball forward for Boyd but he was blocked off and the referee brought a classic match to an end. A great win for Dungannon but what a performance from Dollingstown!
EH: The second half fightback was something, Boyd was about to come off but he set up Sean and we decided to keep him on, the two of them put in a great performance and we were so unlucky not to get something from the game. Whelan was brilliant once again but we've got to do better in defence as we switched off at times which cost us.
PLAYER RATINGS
5th January 2038
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The league leaders came to Planters Park and it was another capacity crowd in Dollingstown. Johnny McGurgan got a start alongside David Kee whilst Jimmy Boyd was serving a match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards so Michael Coyle started next to Sean Sheridan. Marc Kerr played the ball through to Cullen beating Mulholland and he slotted low past Whelan to give Cliftonville an early lead on 12 minutes. David Kee sent the ball into the box from the free-kick and Quinn heqded back across goal, Mulholland struck it but the shot was blocked, he had another go and the rebound fell to Morgan whose shot was turned behind. Kerr broke down the right but Luke Walker dealt with him brilliantly putting in two good tackles, the 17 year old has really come on this season. Kurtis Kane was on to replace Johnny McGurgan for the start of the second half. O'Shea and Young came on but had little impact from the bench and Kerr set up Fitzgerald to knock it at the near post to secure the win for Cliftonville on 91 minutes. The league leaders get their 20th win of the season, nobody expected Dollingstown to get anything against a much better team today but there were some good individual performances especially in defence.
PLAYER RATINGS
Moyola Park vs Dollingstown
Northern Irish Cup Fifth Round
9th January 2038
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Dollingstown travelled to Castledawson, County Londonderry to take on Moyola Park playing in the NIFL Premier Intermediate League. Moyola Park FC were the first team to win the Northern Irish Cup back in 1880/81 and are the current holders of the Northern Irish Steel and Sons Cup after pulling off a shock victory over Bluefin Sport Championship side Larne. Dollingstown were without recent new signings for the trip due to them being cup tied. Euan Henderson gave a start to Johnny McGurgan to build his match fitness playing next to Thomas Delaney. O'Shea and Young started on the wings and Luke Kemp and Ryan Reilly started in attack. Delaney won the ball back on 8 minutes and passed forward to Young who moved it to the left for O'Shea, he crossed in on the bounce for Kemp and his header was cleared off the line! Dollingstown won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Young played it close to the keeper at the near post and he palmed it over his line making it 1-0 on 12 minutes! The handful of Dollingstown supporters who made the trip gave a cheer as their captain his 7th of the season! It was a good start for Dollingstown who appeared well organised, McGurgan won the ball back and passed to Kemp, he played it right to Young who pounced forward into the box and tried a shot before it went out of play and got a corner. Simon Young was looking dangerous from set-pieces, this time almost dipping in under the bar but the keeper tipped it over. Young took the corner and Kemp went up to head at the far post! The referee came over and said Kemp used his hand, there's no replays to check at Mill Meadow but it did look like his arm was up. There was no booking for Kemp. Johnny McGurgan got another good run out, last just under 60 minutes. He was replaced by Duncan Herron. Delaney intercepted the ball from the throw-in and played in Young who hit it against the post, that would have sealed the game. Ward played the free-kick for Moyola to the far post, it evaded the heads of everyone, Kavanagh knocked it across goal dangerously and Sproule's outstretched leg caught it to take it over the line, 1-1. Glenn Hughes came on for Ryan Reilly with 20 minutes to go. David Kee was on for the last ten minutes and Dollingstown had a corner, it was played across and Sproule fouled Kemp, the referee pointed to the spot! David Kee to take with his first kick of the game and he beats the keeper with a powerful strike! 2-1! A few minutes remained and it was up to Dollingstown to keep things tight. Best tried a shot from range and Mackle smothered it easily. David Kee was a calm presence on the pitch, calming the younger lads down. It's job done in the cup and Dollingstown move into the last sixteen.
EH: We're getting that winning feeling a bit more and we need to keep getting points in the league. There's six games left before the league splits into two and I think we know for sure we're going to be in that bottom section. If we keep believing in ourselves, we can really put up a fight against relegation.
PLAYER RATINGS
Dungannon Swifts vs Dollingstown
16th January 2038
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It's a tough away trip to 2nd place Dungannon with many saying it should be a very much one sided game. Henderson brought his big guns back for this one with Whelan in goal, Kurtis Kane next to McGurgan in the middle, Kyle Morgan and Nicky Quinn on both flanks and Jimmy Boyd up top with Sean Sheridan. New signing Jack Murray made the bench. Jake Whelan saved the team on 14 minutes when Gary McKenna was caught in possession by McDowell and Whelan was quick off his line to close him down at close range. Johnston played a hopeful ball forward for McDowell two minutes before half-time and the chase was on between him and Mulholland, Mulholland was brushed aside and it was smashed past Whelan who got a hand to it. Ten minutes later Doyle played a low ball across the box and both McNally and McKenna were caught daydreaming allowing Lecky to knock it in at the post. Henderson and Feerguson were having a chat and they pushed McGurgan further up the pitch into a more attacking role. The ball was played over the top for Boyd by Kane, he took the shot and smacked the bar, so close. Dungannon were clinical in attack and got their third through Mahashe, his shot seemed to have took a big deflection but it found its way into the net on 63 minutes. Luke Kemp was the first change replacing Johnny McGurgan. Jimmy Boyd got the ball on the edge of the box and managed to get it into the six yard box for Sheridan to tap in making it 3-1! Dollingstown were fighting back and on 72 minutes Boyd was fouled inside the box winning his team a penalty! Nicky Quinn fancied it and he went right down the middle with power to get it to 3-2! There's still time for an equaliser! McNally got the ball wide to Quinn, he looked dangerous in possession, Luke Kemp joined ther attack and showed some skill with a clever pass forward to Boyd but his shot was blocked. Steven Porter took the ball in the left back position and fancied the long ball which Sheridan worked hard to win, he knocked it across the box and Jimmy Boyd was there to make it 3-3 on 83 minutes! What a comeback! Dollingstown have got three goals back! Dungannon had a free-kick on 85 minutes and it was crossed into the box, McNally had hands on Lyness and the referee awarded a penalty which could change the game. Lecky put the ball down and went to the right and Whelan saved! Fantastic save! Dollingstown cleared the corner but Downey lofted it back into the box and McDowell drove it home to get his 20th of the season and the fourth for Dungannon. Quinn tried one last attack with a ball forward for Boyd but he was blocked off and the referee brought a classic match to an end. A great win for Dungannon but what a performance from Dollingstown!
EH: The second half fightback was something, Boyd was about to come off but he set up Sean and we decided to keep him on, the two of them put in a great performance and we were so unlucky not to get something from the game. Whelan was brilliant once again but we've got to do better in defence as we switched off at times which cost us.
PLAYER RATINGS
NEW SIGNING - JACK MURRAY!
EH: Jack will provide some depth for us and is a decent defender who is capable of stepping in when required. If he plays well enough there's no reason why he can't make a stake for a regular place. He has signed a six month contract and we will review it in the summer but I wish Jack well and it is a big step up from Moyola Park. He has a desire to do well and he has a good chance to impress.
Dollingstown vs Crusaders
19th January 2038
It's another tough game but made easier in front of home support at Planters Park. 24 year old Jack Murray got his debut next to Mulholland. David Kee started in midfield. Jimmy Boyd played the ball back to Mulholland who knocked it right to Quinn in space on the right, he passed to Boyd who made space 25 yards from goal and he took it down well with his knee and struck it with power hitting the underside of the bar and in! Is that the goal of the season? It's certainly a contender! What a goal! The keeper didn't even move! Dollingstown were caught out by the long ball on 28 minutes and Agyei was there to it before Walker could react, he put it into the box for Owusu and Whelan came to collect, dropped it and Owusu tapped it home. Kyle Morgan gave away a cheap free-kick near the corner flag but it came to nothing and Sheridan took it down the left, he played it right for Quinn and Quinn knocked it inside for the run of Kyle Morgan who only had to beat the keeper and he slotted to make it 2-1! Great counter attacking football! The second half started with Crusaders trying to get back into the game, Gray played a long ball forward and there must have been miscommunication between Whelan and Mulholland as the keeper should have told him to leave it, Mulholland tried the headed clearance but it went as far as Lyttle and he stroked it past Whelan to make it 2-2. Henderson made a change on 64 minutes taking off Jimmy Boyd and bringing on Johnny McGurgan. McGurgan, Kee and Kane formed a midfield three. It was another ball into the box Egunjobi finding Kris Lyttle at the post to knock it to make it 3-2 on 68 minutes. Kurtis Kane was taken off with 20 minutes to go and Luke Kemp came on. There was no stopping Kris Lyttle, he took the ball down from Kelly, turned and hit a rocket of a shot into the top right corner to make it 4-2 on 72 minutes. Luke Kemp got a good ball out to the left for Walker, he lofted it towards the far post and Quinn got a touch on it taking it over the line to make it 4-3 with 2 minutes to go! Another dramatic end to the game for Dollingstown but it was the other way and O'Neill played a through ball for Owusu on 88 minutes to make it 5-3. There was two minutes left of stoppage time and Crusaders were still coming forward, O'Neill passed to O'Connor and he knocked it on to Lyttle who struck a long range shot that swerved past Whelan to make it 6. Dollingstown looked fatigued and were running on empty, begging for the final whistle. It was Crusaders who were dominant this afternoon.
PLAYER RATINGS
19th January 2038
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It's another tough game but made easier in front of home support at Planters Park. 24 year old Jack Murray got his debut next to Mulholland. David Kee started in midfield. Jimmy Boyd played the ball back to Mulholland who knocked it right to Quinn in space on the right, he passed to Boyd who made space 25 yards from goal and he took it down well with his knee and struck it with power hitting the underside of the bar and in! Is that the goal of the season? It's certainly a contender! What a goal! The keeper didn't even move! Dollingstown were caught out by the long ball on 28 minutes and Agyei was there to it before Walker could react, he put it into the box for Owusu and Whelan came to collect, dropped it and Owusu tapped it home. Kyle Morgan gave away a cheap free-kick near the corner flag but it came to nothing and Sheridan took it down the left, he played it right for Quinn and Quinn knocked it inside for the run of Kyle Morgan who only had to beat the keeper and he slotted to make it 2-1! Great counter attacking football! The second half started with Crusaders trying to get back into the game, Gray played a long ball forward and there must have been miscommunication between Whelan and Mulholland as the keeper should have told him to leave it, Mulholland tried the headed clearance but it went as far as Lyttle and he stroked it past Whelan to make it 2-2. Henderson made a change on 64 minutes taking off Jimmy Boyd and bringing on Johnny McGurgan. McGurgan, Kee and Kane formed a midfield three. It was another ball into the box Egunjobi finding Kris Lyttle at the post to knock it to make it 3-2 on 68 minutes. Kurtis Kane was taken off with 20 minutes to go and Luke Kemp came on. There was no stopping Kris Lyttle, he took the ball down from Kelly, turned and hit a rocket of a shot into the top right corner to make it 4-2 on 72 minutes. Luke Kemp got a good ball out to the left for Walker, he lofted it towards the far post and Quinn got a touch on it taking it over the line to make it 4-3 with 2 minutes to go! Another dramatic end to the game for Dollingstown but it was the other way and O'Neill played a through ball for Owusu on 88 minutes to make it 5-3. There was two minutes left of stoppage time and Crusaders were still coming forward, O'Neill passed to O'Connor and he knocked it on to Lyttle who struck a long range shot that swerved past Whelan to make it 6. Dollingstown looked fatigued and were running on empty, begging for the final whistle. It was Crusaders who were dominant this afternoon.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
The Northern Irish Football Informer caught up with Euan Henderson.
NIFI: How do you feel your first season in management is going? It's been a steep learning curve for you.
EH: It could be better, it has been a tough start. We took over a team that needed to be rebuilt from scratch and we've got through giving many young players from the academy a chance and they haven't let themselves down at all. We've made signings where we can to improve the squad and believe we have a better team than we did six months ago.
NIFI: How is working with Duncan Ferguson helping you?
EH: Duncan has been magnificent in everything. He is patient but at the same time will tell me where I'm going wrong and offers advice. He's there next to me in the dugout and will be in my ear about making changes and we seem to have a great working relationship. We tend to agree on a lot of things at the club too and we work well with the players on the pitch to get the best from their development. The players hold him in high regard and he's not afraid to let his feelings known either.
NIFI: How are the new signings settling in and who made the decision on who to bring to the club?
EH: They've had to come in and get involved from the off and they've took to it well. They all came from clubs below us in the league so have already got their match fitness this season, it's a case of climatising to the league and the standard here but they're doing well. Myself, Duncan and our scout Sean Murray get together every week to review different players and we made a decision to bring in the signings we did as a collective. There was a couple of players we looked at but we wasn't too thrilled on them.
NIFI: There's still time to bring someone else in, have you got anyone lined up?
EH: We are still exploring, the squad still needs improving and we are looking into the prospect of bringing someone in who is young and likes to play in attack. That's all I can say for now!
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £70m
lol lol
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £70m
Was ace to shut those pork chop Mayola Park sweat hounds up. Worth it
NIFI: How do you feel your first season in management is going? It's been a steep learning curve for you.
EH: It could be better
lol lol lol
EH: It could be better
lol lol lol
It’s our year for the cup JJ.
You’re just bitter cause he didn’t send you a birthday card.
UTFDB’s
The card would have stunk of failure if he'd handled it the filthy little smack rat.
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Either that or cry.
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
It's like we're a sick joke. Henderson needs to pull his socks up pronto.
He would have sold his socks for smack the filthy junkie. Amazed he still has a job after he was caught raiding the petty cash jar.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Dollingstown vs Portadown
Northern Irish Mid Ulster Cup Quarter Final
23rd January 2038
It was down to the last eight in the cup and Dollingstown were looking to end a 20 year trophy drought when they last won the Northern Irish Mid Ulster Immediate A Trophy. Martin O'Shea and Simon Young both got starts in this one with Sheridan and Boyd up top. The rain was beating down at Planters Park and just after the first minute Tony Marshall crossed from the corner to find Aaron Black with the header to put Portadown in front. Dollingstown kept hold of the ball with Delaney and McGurgan working well together in the middle, McGurgan went close when he tried a lobbing shot that hit the post and seemed to have surprised everybody. Dollingstown had a chance from the free-kick on 36 minutes. Young crossed it into the box and Boyd knocked it down for Delaney but it into orbit. The balls out wide were working and Young took it from Porter, he crossed into the box and Sean Sheridan pulled the trigger to level! It has been much better from Dollingstown since going a goal down. McKenna passed to McGurgan and he played it centrally to Delaney who struck from outside the box and made it 2-1! But the assistant referee was flagging for something! It turned out Sean Sheridan was blocking the goalkeepers line of sight so the goal has been chalked off! It was all Dollingstown and Young took the corner, it came to Mulholland who blasted towards goal and Irwin tipped it over from close range. David Kee replaced Johnny McGurgan with 30 minutes to go. Marshall sent the ball forward for McKinney and Mulholland done well to force him wide, he got the shot away and Whelan palmed it but Black was first to it and made it 2-1. Boyd made way for Kemp with 20 minutes to go. Henderson pushed his players up the pitch, a good ball into the box from McKenna found O'Shea but his shot was pushed wide by Irwin. It's not to be for Dollingstown and their Mid Ulster Cup dream ends here. Portadown have made it into the final four.
EH: We done everything right but just conceded soft goals. The build up play and the way he moved the ball forward was how we worked on it but we just could not finish when we needed to. Irwin was great for them in goal and he got them through this tie.
PLAYER RATINGS
DOLLINGSTOWN PULL OFF SMYTH COUP!
A signing like this is one for all Dollybirds to get excited about! 16 year old Attacking Midfielder Tommy Smyth has signed a 2 year deal with Dollingstown for £6k from Coagh United in the Bluefin Sport Premier Intermediate League. The midfielder has four goals and three assists to his name in his breakout season after tearing it up for Coagh United as a youth player from the age of 11. Smyth featured at u20's level from a 14 year old and made his senior debut at 16 this season. He has already played for Northern Ireland U19's and is being monitored by Northern Ireland Coach Callum Camps. Smyth will excite the Dollingstown supporters with his tricks and skills and he possesses a strong physique for such a young age. He is definitely a player to keep an eye on.
EH: His name kept coming to me, "have you seen this kid at Coagh, he's levels above anyone else in the league". We went to take a look and he scored that day, for someone so young he is very intelligent and knows when to make the right pass or take the shot. Duncan said to me that we must take him on before someone else does. There was talk of clubs over in England keen on him too. I think Brentford in The Championship had scouts over to watch him. I'm delighted he's decided to come here to continue his development and a player like this will lift the rest of the squad.
TOMMY SMYTH
Glenavon vs Dollingstown
30th January 2038
The news many fans were waiting for and new signing Tommy Smyth was named as a substitute for the trip to Glenavon. Kurtis Kane was back from a one game ban and played in midfield with Johnny McGurgan. Morgan and Quinn came back in and 16 year old Luke Kemp played behind Sean Sheridan in attack. Three minutes on the clock and Nicky Quinn fancied his chances from the free-kick, he got it over the wall and the keeper tried to push it out but the ball flew past him to make it 1-0 to Dollingstown! One of Dollingstown weaknesses was defending set-pieces and Glenavon exploited that, O'Hara crossed in the free-kick and Johnny Corry rose above the defence to head into the corner on 18 minutes. O'Hara was allowed to cross into the box again from the left and Corry was too much for McKenna at the far post and he slotted again on 33 minutes. Sean Sheridan took the ball down and turned past his marker, the space opened up for him with defenders backing off, he played in Morgan to his left and he passed to McGurgan on the edge of the box, McGurgan passed it over to Nicky Quinn who tucked it away for his second! 2-2! Mulholland gets in to clear the danger, Sheridan flicked it on and Kemp was away through the middle, he passed right to Quinn and he struck the bar! Dollingstown played out from the back and almost got caught, McKenna booted it long and it allowed Sheridan to get in behind, he beared down on goal and put it past the keeper to make it 3-2! His 15th goal of the season! Dollingstown took the lead just before half-time. Sean McAuley passed forward to Michael Doran on 57 minutes, Quinn's tackle was evaded and he came forward to get the shot off from 25 yards and beat Whelan who could have done better to make it 3-3. The time had come with just under 30 minutes to go, the emergence of new signing Tommy Smyth! He came on for Luke Kemp. David Kee was also on for Kurtis Kane. Brett King picked up an injury and Glenavon had to see the game out with ten men due to using all three subs. David Kee took hold of the ball in stoppage time and played it wide to Quinn, he came forward with it, crossed low for Morgan and he beat the keeper at his near post to make it 4-3! Surely that is the winner? That's it! What a result for Dollingstown!
Henderson is delighted! Three points above Harland and Wolff Welders!
EH: That was sensational! Nicky Quinn was integral to that result but I was concerned about how we were defending. What a way to win in the last few minutes! It's not often we record big away wins like this, it means so much to everyone!
PLAYER RATINGS
Banbridge Town vs Dollingstown
Irish Cup Sixth Round
6th February 2038
The biggest news this week was the unprofessionalism of Striker Glenn Hughes who took to social media to complain of his lack of playing time and questioned the credentials of Euan Henderson. Shortly after, the news broke via the club that Hughes' contract had been terminated with immediate effect. It portrays the message that Henderson and Ferguson will not tolerate this kind of attitude and only want a squad willing to pull in the same direction. After defeat in the Mid Ulster Cup, there was still the prospect of the Irish Cup and an advantage tie against Intermediate side Banbridge Town from County Down. The 1500 capacity at Crystal Park saw a handful of Dollingstown supporters make the trip. Last week's star of the show Nicky Quinn was cup tied along with the other January signings so Mackle was named in goal with Luke Walker at left back. David Kee and Thomas Delaney started in midfield with O'Shea and Young on the wings. Luke Kemp was in behind Jimmy Boyd. Kyle McNally was serving a game suspension so 16 year old Barry Ewart was given his chance. Luke Walker passed the ball to O'Shea on 12 minutes and he found Kemp on the left wing, he played the ball into the box and Young volleyed over his head and into the net to beat the keeper! 1-0! A great finish from Young for his 8th of the season! David Kee played a good ball forward for Young who kept it in and crossed into the box, O'Shea came charging in with the header and it was just over. David Kee was in full control of the midfield, he won the ball back on 68 minutes and played Boyd in, one on one with the keeper and he put it over the bar, Henderson is unhappy with his finish. He should have placed it. Michael Coyle replaced Boyd with just over ten minutes to go. It didn't take long to see his impact when Walker played a great ball down the left into the box and Coyle tucked it away with a left footed strike to make it 2-0! Barry Ewart put in an important block on 90 minutes to stop Banbridge getting a goal back. Dollingstown record a comfortable victory in the cup and progress into the Quarter Finals!
PLAYER RATINGS
Northern Irish Mid Ulster Cup Quarter Final
23rd January 2038
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It was down to the last eight in the cup and Dollingstown were looking to end a 20 year trophy drought when they last won the Northern Irish Mid Ulster Immediate A Trophy. Martin O'Shea and Simon Young both got starts in this one with Sheridan and Boyd up top. The rain was beating down at Planters Park and just after the first minute Tony Marshall crossed from the corner to find Aaron Black with the header to put Portadown in front. Dollingstown kept hold of the ball with Delaney and McGurgan working well together in the middle, McGurgan went close when he tried a lobbing shot that hit the post and seemed to have surprised everybody. Dollingstown had a chance from the free-kick on 36 minutes. Young crossed it into the box and Boyd knocked it down for Delaney but it into orbit. The balls out wide were working and Young took it from Porter, he crossed into the box and Sean Sheridan pulled the trigger to level! It has been much better from Dollingstown since going a goal down. McKenna passed to McGurgan and he played it centrally to Delaney who struck from outside the box and made it 2-1! But the assistant referee was flagging for something! It turned out Sean Sheridan was blocking the goalkeepers line of sight so the goal has been chalked off! It was all Dollingstown and Young took the corner, it came to Mulholland who blasted towards goal and Irwin tipped it over from close range. David Kee replaced Johnny McGurgan with 30 minutes to go. Marshall sent the ball forward for McKinney and Mulholland done well to force him wide, he got the shot away and Whelan palmed it but Black was first to it and made it 2-1. Boyd made way for Kemp with 20 minutes to go. Henderson pushed his players up the pitch, a good ball into the box from McKenna found O'Shea but his shot was pushed wide by Irwin. It's not to be for Dollingstown and their Mid Ulster Cup dream ends here. Portadown have made it into the final four.
EH: We done everything right but just conceded soft goals. The build up play and the way he moved the ball forward was how we worked on it but we just could not finish when we needed to. Irwin was great for them in goal and he got them through this tie.
PLAYER RATINGS
DOLLINGSTOWN PULL OFF SMYTH COUP!
A signing like this is one for all Dollybirds to get excited about! 16 year old Attacking Midfielder Tommy Smyth has signed a 2 year deal with Dollingstown for £6k from Coagh United in the Bluefin Sport Premier Intermediate League. The midfielder has four goals and three assists to his name in his breakout season after tearing it up for Coagh United as a youth player from the age of 11. Smyth featured at u20's level from a 14 year old and made his senior debut at 16 this season. He has already played for Northern Ireland U19's and is being monitored by Northern Ireland Coach Callum Camps. Smyth will excite the Dollingstown supporters with his tricks and skills and he possesses a strong physique for such a young age. He is definitely a player to keep an eye on.
EH: His name kept coming to me, "have you seen this kid at Coagh, he's levels above anyone else in the league". We went to take a look and he scored that day, for someone so young he is very intelligent and knows when to make the right pass or take the shot. Duncan said to me that we must take him on before someone else does. There was talk of clubs over in England keen on him too. I think Brentford in The Championship had scouts over to watch him. I'm delighted he's decided to come here to continue his development and a player like this will lift the rest of the squad.
TOMMY SMYTH
Glenavon vs Dollingstown
30th January 2038
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The news many fans were waiting for and new signing Tommy Smyth was named as a substitute for the trip to Glenavon. Kurtis Kane was back from a one game ban and played in midfield with Johnny McGurgan. Morgan and Quinn came back in and 16 year old Luke Kemp played behind Sean Sheridan in attack. Three minutes on the clock and Nicky Quinn fancied his chances from the free-kick, he got it over the wall and the keeper tried to push it out but the ball flew past him to make it 1-0 to Dollingstown! One of Dollingstown weaknesses was defending set-pieces and Glenavon exploited that, O'Hara crossed in the free-kick and Johnny Corry rose above the defence to head into the corner on 18 minutes. O'Hara was allowed to cross into the box again from the left and Corry was too much for McKenna at the far post and he slotted again on 33 minutes. Sean Sheridan took the ball down and turned past his marker, the space opened up for him with defenders backing off, he played in Morgan to his left and he passed to McGurgan on the edge of the box, McGurgan passed it over to Nicky Quinn who tucked it away for his second! 2-2! Mulholland gets in to clear the danger, Sheridan flicked it on and Kemp was away through the middle, he passed right to Quinn and he struck the bar! Dollingstown played out from the back and almost got caught, McKenna booted it long and it allowed Sheridan to get in behind, he beared down on goal and put it past the keeper to make it 3-2! His 15th goal of the season! Dollingstown took the lead just before half-time. Sean McAuley passed forward to Michael Doran on 57 minutes, Quinn's tackle was evaded and he came forward to get the shot off from 25 yards and beat Whelan who could have done better to make it 3-3. The time had come with just under 30 minutes to go, the emergence of new signing Tommy Smyth! He came on for Luke Kemp. David Kee was also on for Kurtis Kane. Brett King picked up an injury and Glenavon had to see the game out with ten men due to using all three subs. David Kee took hold of the ball in stoppage time and played it wide to Quinn, he came forward with it, crossed low for Morgan and he beat the keeper at his near post to make it 4-3! Surely that is the winner? That's it! What a result for Dollingstown!
Henderson is delighted! Three points above Harland and Wolff Welders!
EH: That was sensational! Nicky Quinn was integral to that result but I was concerned about how we were defending. What a way to win in the last few minutes! It's not often we record big away wins like this, it means so much to everyone!
PLAYER RATINGS
Banbridge Town vs Dollingstown
Irish Cup Sixth Round
6th February 2038
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The biggest news this week was the unprofessionalism of Striker Glenn Hughes who took to social media to complain of his lack of playing time and questioned the credentials of Euan Henderson. Shortly after, the news broke via the club that Hughes' contract had been terminated with immediate effect. It portrays the message that Henderson and Ferguson will not tolerate this kind of attitude and only want a squad willing to pull in the same direction. After defeat in the Mid Ulster Cup, there was still the prospect of the Irish Cup and an advantage tie against Intermediate side Banbridge Town from County Down. The 1500 capacity at Crystal Park saw a handful of Dollingstown supporters make the trip. Last week's star of the show Nicky Quinn was cup tied along with the other January signings so Mackle was named in goal with Luke Walker at left back. David Kee and Thomas Delaney started in midfield with O'Shea and Young on the wings. Luke Kemp was in behind Jimmy Boyd. Kyle McNally was serving a game suspension so 16 year old Barry Ewart was given his chance. Luke Walker passed the ball to O'Shea on 12 minutes and he found Kemp on the left wing, he played the ball into the box and Young volleyed over his head and into the net to beat the keeper! 1-0! A great finish from Young for his 8th of the season! David Kee played a good ball forward for Young who kept it in and crossed into the box, O'Shea came charging in with the header and it was just over. David Kee was in full control of the midfield, he won the ball back on 68 minutes and played Boyd in, one on one with the keeper and he put it over the bar, Henderson is unhappy with his finish. He should have placed it. Michael Coyle replaced Boyd with just over ten minutes to go. It didn't take long to see his impact when Walker played a great ball down the left into the box and Coyle tucked it away with a left footed strike to make it 2-0! Barry Ewart put in an important block on 90 minutes to stop Banbridge getting a goal back. Dollingstown record a comfortable victory in the cup and progress into the Quarter Finals!
PLAYER RATINGS
Portadown vs Dollingstown
13th Februaary 2038
There are three games left before the table splits into two and each team plays each other once to determine the final table. Harland and Wolff Welders sacked Tom Warwick this week in the hope that there is an uptick in form going into the end of the season. Tommy Smyth turned 17 this week and got his first start for Dollingstown behind Striker Sean Sheridan. It was a quiet first half from Shamrock Park with both teams going in at half-time at 0-0. Phil McKinney came closest on 60 minutes when his glancing header had Whelan beat and it just snipped the outside of the post. Porter took the throw from the right for Dollingstown and Quinn took it down inside the area but Metcalfe came from behind and used his body to bring him down, the referee gave the penalty! With David Kee replaced by McGurgan, it was Nicky Quinn to take the kick. Quinn goes to the right and sends the keeper the wrong way! Dollingstown take the lead with 20 minutes to go! Dollingstown grew in confidence, McGurgan played it wide to Morgan who cut it inside to Smyth, he took a touch outside the box then hit a low shot that found the corner! His first goal for Dollingstown! It's 2-0! Portadown were threatening down the left but the aerial balls were dealt with, the Dollingstown defence put in a good performance and have duly deserved the victory! They move six points clear off the bottom of the table!
EH: First half we were a bit out of sorts but getting that first goal we came forward more and got the second to give us that relief. It was an all round good day and I'm pleased with how we played.
PLAYER RATINGS
13th Februaary 2038
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There are three games left before the table splits into two and each team plays each other once to determine the final table. Harland and Wolff Welders sacked Tom Warwick this week in the hope that there is an uptick in form going into the end of the season. Tommy Smyth turned 17 this week and got his first start for Dollingstown behind Striker Sean Sheridan. It was a quiet first half from Shamrock Park with both teams going in at half-time at 0-0. Phil McKinney came closest on 60 minutes when his glancing header had Whelan beat and it just snipped the outside of the post. Porter took the throw from the right for Dollingstown and Quinn took it down inside the area but Metcalfe came from behind and used his body to bring him down, the referee gave the penalty! With David Kee replaced by McGurgan, it was Nicky Quinn to take the kick. Quinn goes to the right and sends the keeper the wrong way! Dollingstown take the lead with 20 minutes to go! Dollingstown grew in confidence, McGurgan played it wide to Morgan who cut it inside to Smyth, he took a touch outside the box then hit a low shot that found the corner! His first goal for Dollingstown! It's 2-0! Portadown were threatening down the left but the aerial balls were dealt with, the Dollingstown defence put in a good performance and have duly deserved the victory! They move six points clear off the bottom of the table!
EH: First half we were a bit out of sorts but getting that first goal we came forward more and got the second to give us that relief. It was an all round good day and I'm pleased with how we played.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
Dollingstown managed to put three wins together and it looks like the January transfer window has been a productive one. Henderson's task is to try to keep Dollingstown in the Premier Division this season and it now looks like results are coming together for the 37 year old. Coleraine and Ballymena United are the next opponents for Dollingstown and results could take them out of the bottom two and put them on the path to safety.
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £70m
Yes yes YES
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £70m
Hope Tommy doesn’t regret his decision to choose a career in football over rocket science
Dumped out of the cup but a resurgence in the league?
I canee take it.
I canee take it.
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