Dungannon U-16’s - 4
Ballinamallard U-16’s - 1

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s took on Ballinamallard in a league clash at White City.

Despite going behind to an early goal, the boys rallied well and had the game sewn up by half time.

They did start slowly and a defensive mistake let in the Ballinamallard winger who finished well from close range, giving Goodfellow in goals no chance.

From then on, the performance improved immensely, the defence was rock solid with Crooks giving a faultless display, ably assisted by the hard working Collins.

The equaliser soon came, Collins broke up a rare attack and fed the ball to McCammon on the right. His through ball was latched onto by Wallace who lobbed the on rushing keeper, the ball bouncing into the empty net despite a desperate attempt by the defender to clear.

5 minutes later, the boys went 2-1 up. A free kick from Wallace was dropped by the away keeper and the alert Arnold was on hand to stab the ball home from 8 yards.

The third goal followed quickly, and what a goal it was. A corner from McElroy was headed high in the air by the away defender. As the ball fell out of the sky, Lavery perfected an exquisite overhead kick, his effort sailing over everyone’s head into the back of the net.

It was all Dungannon at this stage. Girvan made a surging run down the left, he produced a perfect cross from which Lavery’s goalbound header was blocked by a Ballinamallard defender.

With 5 minutes left to half time, Dungannon went 4-1 up. An excellent through ball from McElroy left Lavery one on one with the keeper and he coolly slotted home from the edge of the box.

Dungannon again had most of the possession in the second half. However despite not adding to the scoreline, they played some excellent one touch, pass and move football, McKenna and Mayse both pivotal in the centre of midfield.

Several chances were created, notably by McElroy who had 2 efforts narrowly off target when well placed. Ryan Mayse had a ‘Ronaldo like’ free kick parried by the keeper, McCammon unlucky not to score from the rebound.

An overall excellent performance from the boys and a well deserved 4-1 victory.

This week the boys have a league match away to Portadown.

Dungannon U-16’s 2

Cookstown U-16’s 1

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s took on local rivals Cookstown in a top of the table clash at the youth pitch.

Cookstown lead for most of the game and were still ahead with 3 minutes of normal time remaining, but 2 very late goals sealed victory for the home side.

Early on, play was very scrappy, players having little time on the ball with very few clear cut chances created.

Dungannon had most of the pressure, Girvan heading wide and Collins heading over. The clearest chance of the first half for the home side fell to Kelly who shot at the keeper when well placed.

Cookstown relied on their long ball tactic which caused the Dungannon defence some problems. Goodfellow had to make 2 stops from long range efforts and also saved well when the Cookstown forward was through one on one.

The away side took the lead after 25 minutes. Another long ball flicked off a Dungannon head and their number 9 raced clear, rounded the keeper and finished well.

Despite more pressure, the home side failed to find an equaliser before half time.

The second half was more of the same, scrappy with very little creativity from either side.

Indeed Cookstown had the first real chance of the half, Long clearing off the line from a header from a corner.

Dungannon had plenty of possession but created very little. Cookstown also played a frustrating game, time wasting at every opportunity.

However with time running out and a rare defeat looking inevitable, Wallace broke away on the left, he crossed from the byline, Lavery got a flick on at the near post and Fox was at the back post to scramble home.

Everyone had settled for a draw but the ‘never say die’ attitude of this Dungannon team was very much in evidence.

Cookstown’s time wasting came back to haunt them, the referee playing 4 minutes of added time.

In the very last minute of added time, Lavery escaped his marker down the left, crossed a quality ball and Ryan Mayse slotted home from 12 yards.

Total mayhem and elation on and off the pitch from the Dungannon players, coaches and supporters. Total contrast of shock and dismay among the away followers.

Cookstown barely had time to take the kick off before the final whistle blew.

The sign of a good team is not playing well but winning and this indeed was a vital win.

This week the boys have a league match at home against Ballinamallard.

Carryduff U-16’s 0 - 3 Dungannon U-16’s

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s travelled to Comber to play Carryduff in the last 16 of the NI cup.

The boys played against a strong breeze in the first half and dominated the game from the start.

Arnold had a goal disallowed early on for offside, Wallace and Lavery also having chances to put the boys ahead.

The breakthrough came after 8 minutes, Lavery broke away on the right, crossed from the byline where Wallace finished at the second attempt after his first effort was well saved by the Carryduff keeper.

Against the strong breeze, McKenna and Mayse were getting through a lot of good work in midfield. Arnold and Fox on the wings were also enjoying plenty of possession.

Several good chances were created, but a second goal would just not come, the keeper making an excellent double save to deny Arnold.

The backline of McCammon, Crooks, Girvan and Long held firm and limited the Carryduff forwards to very few chances.

Goodfellow in goals commanded the box well, covering any danger from long wind assisted punts up field from the opposition.

At half time the boys held a slender 1-0 lead.

The second half was also a very one-sided affair, Dungannon dominating possession.

However the crucial second goal would not arrive, Girvan and Collins both heading over when well placed.

Halfway through the second half, the vital second goal did arrive. Good work on the left by Arnold, who crossed for Kelly to score from 8 yards.

Soon after the third and decisive goal arrived and it was well worth waiting on.

Lavery picked up the ball just inside the Carryduff half on the left touchline. He took on his man, cut inside and unleashed a rocket into the top right hand corner from the edge of the box.

Other chances were created before the final whistle, Arnold shooting over when put through by Kelly and Lavery having a goal ruled out for offside.

An excellent performance from the boys and a well deserved victory.

This week the boys have a league match at home against local rivals Cookstown.

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s played Ballymoor in the second round of the NI cup. The match has been postponed 3 times due to weather conditions and perhaps this lead to a little rustiness as the team had not played for 4 weeks.

Dungannon began well and went close on 3 occasions early on, Lavery shooting over from 18 yards, Wallace blasting a free kick wide and McIlroy also shooting narrowly past the post after a good run.

Club captain Martin Girvan was making a welcome comeback after 8 months out through injury. He marshalled his defence well, leading to very few threats on the Dungannon goal.

Despite constant pressure, the first half ended goalless.

The second half was similar, lots of Dungannon possession in good areas but no breakthrough.

The pressure lead to several corners from which Girvan twice headed narrowly wide and Lavery heading over.

The Ballymoor keeper also made a brilliant save, fingertipping a shot from Wallace around the post which was destined for the bottom left hand corner.

As the game headed for extra time, the deserved breakthrough came.

McCammon broke up a rare Ballymoor attack, he passed to McKenna in midfield who swept the ball out to Lavery on the right. Lavery cut inside and crossed for Wallace to score from 8 yards.

Cue massive celebrations from players, coaches and supporters.

The boys are away to Carryduff this Saturday in the next round of the NI cup.