DUY U12 National team played an away match last Saturday against Maiden City. A win was essential to put them back in contention for a top five place in the National League. The boys got off to a good start and put the home team under a lot of pressure. They pushed forward with some good play only to be denied in the penalty area by some excellent saves from the Maiden City Keeper. Against the run of play, the home team took the lead with a well placed shot which beat DUY goalie Tom McDermott, but it has to be said that the ball should have been cleared by the defence long before the striker had a chance to put it in the net. The Dungannon team continued to push forward in hope of an equaliser but by doing so, they were leaving themselves stretched in defence. It was  during this period of play that Dungannon got caught on the hop when an error at the back left the Maiden City striker clean through with a one on one against the DUY keeper. The travelling Dungannon supporters held their breath as they watched the striker take his shot only to be parried away by Tom McDermott into the path of an oncoming Maiden City player. A goal was certainly on the cards as the attacker struck the ball only to see it cleared off the line in spectacular fashion by centre back Naoise Martin. This seemed to be a turning point in the game as the DUY players raised their performances after this near escape. Unfortunately half time came too soon and the Dungannon boys went off 1 – 0 down.

Changes were made at half time when Manager Joe McAree replaced Paul Donnelly, Jordan Hazelton and Deane Kane with Connor Murtagh, Cian Murtagh and Samuel Haugh. The DUY team came out with the bit between their teeth and put an insurmountable amount of pressure on the Maiden City defence in hope of the much needed equaliser.

With ten minutes into the second half, it looked as if the DUY lads had drawn level after a long range shot from Naoise Martin was helped into the back of the net by Cian Murtagh, only to see it disallowed to the disbelief of the Dungannon supporters. Shortly after this the U12s got their just rewards when Gavin Corr beat the keeper with a well placed shot to bring the score level to 1 – 1.

Shortly after this Connor Murtagh found himself clear on goal with only the keeper to beat. Connor kept his cool and placed his shot superbly into the bottom right hand corner to give the Dungannon boys a deserved 2 – 1 lead. It was at this time Joe McAree replaced an injured Tomas Carney with his new signing Paul Newell who made an excellent contribution on his debut with some well placed passes into the danger zone. With being a goal up, the U12s did not sit back and kept pushing forward and with ten minutes of the match remaining a free kick was awarded to the Dungannon side just outside the oppositions penalty area. There was only one player to take this shot and with what is now becoming his trademark, Daniel Kerr scored an absolutely fantastic free kick into the top of the Maiden City net leaving their keeper rooted to the spot.

Even though Maiden City are below Dungannon in the league table, it was with a sigh of relief when the final whistle blew and an away victory was achieved. This match saw the Dungannon boys play with the determination and will to win that was so evident last year. Hopefully this will be a turning point in their season and with fire in their belly, the boys will go on to improve on this performance.

After the match Manager Joe McAree said “The players took a while to settle and several failed attempts to clear the ball on the edge of our own area gave Maiden City the opportunity to take the lead. However the boys showed good character and plenty of determination and deservedly won the game.” Joe also said that he was impressed with the performance of Paul Newell on his debut for the U12 team.

Assistant Manager, Tony Courtney added “I thought Gavin Corr when switched to centre forward played well today and worked hard for his goal. Connor Murtagh took his goal well, keeping a cool head to slot home the winner. Daniel Kerr, once again, had a great game and controlled the mid field from start to finish.”

Man of the Match was awarded to Daniel Kerr for his outstanding performance. Well done Daniel!

DUY U12s next match is away to Limavady.