U14s DUY 2 Linfield 1

After 5 weeks since their last outing DUY played host to defending champions Linfield on Saturday last. Played in almost perfect conditions this was going to be a big test to see how far the boys have come this season. The opening 10 minutes was hard fought as both teams tried to get on top. The first chance of the game fell to DUY player Ross Lavery but lost his footing inside the box. Then it was Linfields turn when Christian Stewart picked up the ball in midfield and ran at the Dungannon defence, he beat 3 players but his shot was poor and straight at Mark Brown. Linfield had the best chance of the half to go 1 up when awarded a penalty but failed to make the most of it as Stewarts effort come back of the post. Dungannons best chance of this period fell to Joesph McVeigh as he tried his luck from 22 yards only to see it bounce of the crossbar.

Half time DUY 0 Linfield 0.

The second half began as the first ended with both teams defending well and little chances being created. This game really exploded into life in the 47^th minute when the Linfield keeper made a long trow to his left winger who played in his center forward and his first time strike with the left boot went in underneath Brown, this was the first goal DUY conceded in 4 games. Dungannon now had to make a few positional switches in order to try salvage something from the game and within 10 minutes of this happening the sides where level, in one sweeping move Donnellys kickout fell to Marc McConnell, he sent Lavery down the line beating two defenders in the process and picked out Matty Young in the box, with little options available Young seen Eoin Teague in space and from the very edge of the 18 yard line his strike nestled into the top corner of Linfields goal for his 7th of the current campaign. DUY was not going to settle for one point, instead they lifted themselves by putting more pressure on the blues back four and where awarded a penalty with just 7 minutes left on the clock when Ryan Leech was fouled by the giant center half, it was time for a cool head and alot of people where amazed to see Jamie Smith step up with the ball, he sent the keeper the wrong way and celebrated with his first goal for the club since joining at the start of last season. As the clocked ticked down Linfield trew everything at DUY, if they managed to get past the defense they found Brown having the game of his life in goal. This was 3 hard fought points by each player involved and as Gary Boyd said after he was pleased with the result but not so much the performance, this does keep his team top of the league and now its 14 straight wins on the bounce.

Full time DUY 2 Linfield 1

Team Mark Brown, Aidan Obrien, Jamie Smith, Liam Donnelly, Joesph McVeigh, Marc McConnell, Kris Lowe, Eoin Teague, Ryan Leech, Matty Young, Ross Lavery. Subs McIlvenna for Obrien, Mullan for Leech, Watson for McIlvenna, Leech for Teague, Teague for Mullan. Man of the match this week goes to DUY keeper Mark Brown. 

DUY would like to thank this weeks sponsor Dominic Lyons of “the garden corner” for his kind generousity so soon after the xmas break.

In the pic is Dominic Lyons with DUY players Liam Donnelly and Matty Young.

On saturday last the U14s made the long journey to Carrickfergus in what can be said was a total mis-match as the hosts where no match for Garys Boyds table toppers. During the first 7mins the referee made a few off side calls that even the home team look embarressed. DUY took the lead on 8 minutes as Mark McConnell played a through ball to Dungannons striker Joshua Watson who remained calm and totaly wrong footed the keeper. A few minutes later the game was held up for several minutes as a Carrick defender took the full force of the ball straight in the face eventuly having to be replaced. As the game restarted Ryan Leech was having a field day down the left flank whipping in ball after ball, Matthew McIlvenna was picked out on 16 minutes who decieded to shoot first time when put through, this proved to be the wrong choice as there wasnt a defender in sight. Chris Lowe made it 0-2 and collected his first goal of the season and what a goal it was from all off 25 yards with a delightfull lob spotting the goal keeper well off his line. DUY where 3 up with still 10 minutes of the first half remaining, a nice sweeping move from the defence seen Aidan Obrien play in Mark who feed Ryan who picked out Joshua with a precise pull back for his 2nd of the day. Just before the break DUY center half Jamie Smith found himself in the book and a yellow card for decent. Half time Carrick Rangers 0 DUY 3….
At the start of the second period Ross lavery come off the bench to replace Jamie to slot into center midfield as Matty Young dropped into his old center half position. Matthew McIlvenna should have scored when 1 on 1 with the keeper on 44 minutes after Liam Donnelly planted a long ball from defence. Dungannons top goal scorer Conor Mullan come into the game for the injured McIlvenna with 20 minutes remaining trying to add to the 9 goals he has chalked up so far this campaign, his pressence around the box was instant, within 60 seconds his strike partner Joshua feed Conor before beating a defender to set Mark up for a sweet cross to pick out the well timed run of Ross who headed DUY into a 0-4 lead and make it 2 goals in as many games. As the game progressed with the 3 points firmly in the bag Ross had two long distance strikes with both going close but failed to test the keeper. In the final 10 minutes DUY made their 3rd sub as Scott McMullan who was in goal this week and never had 1 single save to make was replaced by Mark Brown. 3 minutes remained when it was 0-5, Matty Young won possession at the back, passed to Liam and with a defence splitting pass picked out the run of Mark McConnell who cooley slid home into the bottom corner of the net. There was still time however with the last move of the game for another goal, Obrien sent Mullan clear whos shot struck the keeper but only palmed kindly into the path of Joshua who headed in to complete his hatrick and Dungannons 6th of the day. Full time Carrick Rangers 0 DUY 6..
This was a game Dungannon where never going to lose but none the less the guys that took to the field did what they had to, scoring 6 goals and yet another clean sheet, as injuries mount up Gary Boyd will no doubt welcome the break, giving some of his players in Joe, Stefan, Eoin and now Matthew a chance to get back in the new year. Team Scott McMullan, Aidan Obrien, Jamie Smith, Liam Donnelly, Cainan Fox, Mark McConnell, Chris Lowe, Matty Young, Ryan Leech, Joshua Watson, Matthew McIlvenna. Subs Lavery for Smith, Mullan for McIlvenna, Brown for McMullan, man of the match this week goes to Joshua Watson.
DUY would like to thank this weeks sponsor Lawerence Dooey of Coalisland Clothing Co for his kind generousity.

NORTHERN IRELAND BOYS F.A CUP COMPETITION 2009/2010