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.