Glentoran 2 Dungannon Swifts 1 – Full Match Report.
A lack of attacking firepower again proved costly for Dungannon Swifts as they crashed to their first defeat of the new campaign at the Oval.
An unfortunate own-goal by Adam McMinn and a classy strike from Darren Boyce secured victory as Glentoran’s 100% start to the season continued.
But this was far from the comprehensive defeat some had feared – or the polished performance which was expected by Glens fans.
Indeed while Dungannon left East Belfast empty handed, there were many positives for Dixie Robinson to draw from a spirited display.
Little separated the sides, apart from the slice of luck which handed Glentoran the first goal and the careless error which gifted them their second.
The crucial difference was in the final third, where the home side displayed a greater clinical edge than Dungannon.
Michael Ward and Stefan Lavery worked tirelessly throughout the 90 minutes, but neither possess the power and physical presence missing since Timmy Adamson departed.
Perhaps that will come from Shane Coney, who could soon be available, while the imminent return of Shea Campbell is another boost.
Robinson though will be encouraged by his team’s fearless performance.
This had been their first big test of the campaign against a Glentoran side aiming to wrestle the Gibson Cup back across the city.
Last season the Glens had twice slipped up in this fixture, but they have started strongly this time and seized control of the game in the first half.
There was a huge element of luck to the strike that broke the deadlock after 17 minutes, however.
Johnny Taylor’s cross was touched off for Jim O’Hanlon, and his right-foot effort was going well wide until it ricocheted off McMinn’s chest and past the helpless goalkeeper.
But if Dungannon were unfortunate to concede the first, then the second goal – which came at a time when they were pressing for an equaliser – was down to sheer carelessness.
Johnny Topley played a lazy pass which was seized by Stephen Carson, he slipped a clever ball through to Boyce who controlled, turned and slotted home.
It was harsh on Dungannon, who for long periods had taken the game to their opponents.
They had the first chance inside two minutes. A corner from Stefan Lavery came out to McMinn whose half-volley cleared the crossbar.
It was a positive sign which typified large parts of Swifts’ performance in the first half.
They almost levelled within seven minutes of going behind, with Michael Funston’s effort being cleared off the line by Richard Clarke.
Soon afterwards a pass from Topley released Darren Murphy down the left. He took aim with a powerful, low drive which was diverted into the side netting by Elliott Morris.
Yet Glentoran also looked capable of adding to their lead, and Niall Morgan pulled off a terrific block to deny Andrew Waterworth after he had outpaced McMinn.
Two minutes later a harmless shot from Clarke was spilled by Morgan, fortunately the goalkeeper collected at the second attempt before Boyce could capitalise.
And when a Carson corner reached David Howland, his firmly struck effort through a crowded box was deflected just past the far post.
The second Glentoran goal just before half-time could have crushed Swifts’ morale, but they continued to search for a route back into the match after the break.
PJ Lavery and Shea McGerrigan were drafted off the bench in a sign of their positive approach.
They had one superb chance carved out by McGerrigan. He pulled the ball back but Murphy, eight yards out, dragged his shot wide.
Complacency had slipped into Glentoran’s game and they were losing the midfield battle, however, Dungannon lacked the firepower to take full advantage.
They did ensure a nervous finish by pulling a goal back seven minutes from the end.
A free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box and Dermot McCaffrey knocked the ball to Ryan O’Neill. His shot was low and firm, but should not have beaten the ‘keeper so easily.
GLENTORAN: Morris, Nixon, Hill, Clarke (McGuigan, 64), Taylor, O’Hanlon (Murray, 81), Ward, Howland, Waterworth (Gibson, 60), Boyce, Carson
Subs not used: McGovern, Hogg
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, McMinn (Montgomery, 73), McCaffrey, McClean, Ward (McGerrigan, 64), Funston (PJ Lavery, 59), Fitzpatrick, Topley, Murphy, S Lavery
Subs not used: Donnelly, Forker
Referee: Colin Burns (Newtownabbey)
Dungannon Swifts Res 1-2 Glentoran Res
Team news for res. team v Glentoran.
James Haughey Scored the only goal for the Swifts team.
Dungannon Swifts Reserve team:
Johnny Curran, Stein Montgomery, Daniel Jackson,Joe Collins, Dean McMahon, Kane Connor, Dermy Thornton, Daryl Magee, Ronan McBearty, James Haughey, Dale noble.
Subs used: Niall Kelly for Kane Connor , Fintan Kelly for Ronan McBearty.
Unused sub: Matthew Walsh
Glentoran 2-1 Dungannon Swifts
Glentoran 2-1 Dungannon Swifts
OG, Boyce R. O’Neill
Today’s team at the Oval:
Morgan, O’Neill, McMinn,McCaffrey,McClean,Funston, Topley,Fitzpatrick, Murphy,S Lavery, Ward
Used Subs: PJ Lavery, McGerrigan and J Montgomery.
Match photos are now online in our gallery section.
Dungannon Swifts Reserves lost 2-1 to Glentoran Reserves today at Stangmore Park. James Haughey got the one and only goal for the reserve side. More team news to follow.
For anyone interested the swifts are running a fantasy football league this year. Basically they are having a private sub league so that fans can pick their team (english premiership) and pip their football knowledge agaisnt the management team of the swifts and the players. The premiership starts on sat so obviously its important to get your team picked asap! if interested go to barclays premier league website and pick your fantasy team.
Once this is done contact someone at the swifts (MSG DUNGANNON SWIFTS FC ON FACEBOOK or FILL IN A CONTACT FORM ON THIS SITE) and you will be given a code to enter a private league on the website (this will be the swifts league) the fee is £5 per month and there will be a manager of the month prize and end of season prizes for 1-5th. (manager of month is the person with top points obtained in that month!)
Swifts 0-0 Coleraine – Full Match report now available
Dungannon Swifts 0 Coleraine 0
It may have been the weekend which football fans look forward to more than most, but surely few will remember this drab game for long.
The new Irish League season got off to an uninspiring start at Stangmore Park as Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine drew a blank in a desperately disappointing curtain-raiser.
After all the waiting and expectation, this was quite a let-down.
Both sides have lost some of their top creative talent this summer and that undoubtedly contributed to a game which was low on chances and lacking in attacking quality.
Indeed the main talking points came in stoppage time – first Howard Beverland was sent off for a professional foul and then a Coleraine penalty appeal for handball was rejected.
Already this is shaping up to be Dungannon’s toughest season in the top division.
While there was effort and commitment aplenty, they lacked a penetrative edge in the final third, hitting the target just once over the 90 minutes.
That will be a concern for manager Dixie Robinson, who must somehow find a way to compensate for the loss of striker Timmy Adamson in the coming weeks.
There were positives for Dungannon too, however.
Goalkeeper Niall Morgan kept a clean sheet to cap an impressive display, while Stefan Lavery also showed glimpses of his potential with a hugely encouraging performance.
Their back line also impressed, with Adam McMinn and Dermot McCaffrey forming a solid partnership in central defence, while Terry Fitzpatrick bossed the midfield.
It was also a positive start against a Coleraine side who have invested heavily to offset the loss of influential midfielders Darren Boyce and Stephen Carson.
Among their recruits is ex-Linfield striker Curtis Allen, who had the best chance of the opening half.
It came in the 25th minute when the ball dropped perfectly for the striker, but Morgan saved with his legs before McMinn cleared the danger.
Earlier the ‘keeper had comfortably collected a 30-yard effort from Darren McCauley, while he watched as David Scullion almost converted a Stephen Lowry corner.
Coleraine ‘keeper Michael Doherty wasn’t tested in the opening half, with Dungannon’s best effort coming from Terry Fitzpatrick whose long-range drive was deflected wide.
Early in the second half a defensive mix-up between Doherty and Damien McNulty almost gifted Michael Ward a goal but he was quickly closed down by David Ogilby.
Then Morgan came to Swifts’ rescue again, shutting out Stephen Parkhouse’s effort at the back post following a penetrating cross from former Swifts midfielder Ryan McIlmoyle.
With an hour gone Coleraine attempted to improve their attacking options by introducing Shane Jennings and former QPR striker Leon Knight.
Dungannon also brought on PJ Lavery, which gave them fresh impetus.
After namesake Stefan’s angled drive had been blocked by the ‘keeper, PJ Lavery tried to convert with a header but was thwarted by Beverland on the line.
Minutes later Shea McGerrigan picked out Craig McClean on the overlap, but the left back shot into the side-netting.
Both sides pushed for the points as the clock ticked down.
Jennings headed a cross from Knight against the upright, while a rasping 25-yard strike from PJ Lavery was deflected just wide.
The main talking points came right at the end.
First Stefan Lavery was fouled on the edge of the box by Beverland, resulting in the young Coleraine defender being shown a straight red card. McCaffrey fired over from the resulting free-kick.
Then in the final seconds Knight was convinced he should have had a penalty when his shot struck McCaffrey’s arm. Crucially, though, the referee disagreed.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, O’Neill, McClean, McMinn, Fitzpatrick, Funston (PJ Lavery, 62), McCaffrey, S Lavery, Topley, Ward, Murphy (McGerrigan, 73)
Subs not used: Donnelly, Montgomery, A Forker
COLERAINE: Doherty, Beverland, McNulty, Ogilby, Scullion, Lowry, Allen, Parkhouse (Knight, 59), McIlmoyle (Jennings, 59), Canning, McCauley
Subs not used: Tommons, Spratt, Clarke
Referee: Raymond Crangle (Belfast)