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.