Match Postponed: Dungannon Swifts v Ballymena United
Following a pitch inspection at Stangmore Park, the pitch has been deemed unplayable due to inclement weather.
Cliftonville 2 Dungannon Swifts 0
A miserable end to a turbulent year for Dungannon Swifts, but Cliftonville supporters are now surely looking forward to a very happy 2013.
There was no upset at Solitude as goals from Liam Boyce and George McMullan saw the league leaders consolidate their stranglehold at the top of the table.
It keeps the Reds’ nine-point lead intact at the turn of the year, and they are now clear favourites to bring the Gibson Cup back to North Belfast for the first time in 15 years.
For Dungannon, however, the coming months hold more uncertainty and tension.
A third successive defeat for the Tyrone side leaves them still perilously placed in the table – a mere six points ahead of the relegation places.
This week’s home games against two struggling sides, Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery, offer Swifts a chance to improve their points tally.
There are aspects of this performance which Darren Murphy can take positives from.
His side were always going to struggle against a Cliftonville team seemingly charging towards the title after nine wins from their previous 11 games.
Dungannon showed plenty of effort and commitment but, in a telling statistic, failed to land a single shot of note on target all afternoon.
An early example came via Chris Lavery. The midfielder darted down the left flank, beating McMullan a little too easily, before sending a low effort just wide.
It came minutes after Cliftonville almost broke the deadlock.
Boyce showed good strength to hold off Emmet Friars before threading the ball through to Joe Gormley, but his finish was narrowly off target.
Dungannon threatened again via a cross from Lavery, however, there was no-one on hand to convert.
Otherwise Niall Morgan was by far the busier ‘keeper in the first half, and he reacted well to get a touch to Jody Lynch’s deflected strike.
But there was nothing he could do when, from the resulting corner, Lynch picked out Boyce and the young striker was free to head home his 20th goal of the season.
Dungannon responded in positive fashion, albeit without testing the ‘keeper.
Friars headed just wide from a Ryan O’Neill corner while a Michael McKerr cross caused panic in the Reds’ defence – but again Dungannon had no-one free to take advantage.
Morgan also made an important block with his feet to keep out Stephen Garrett’s strike.
Any hopes Swifts had of a second-half comeback were dealt a heavy blow when they conceded again seven minutes after the restart.
Fra Brennan was penalised for a foul on Garrett and, although some Swifts’ fans felt it was outside the box, the penalty was awarded and converted by McMullan.
Cliftonville had chances to stretch their lead, with Morgan making several other good saves, but the two goals proved more than enough.
CLIFTONVILLE: Devlin, McGovern, Johnston, McMullan, Garrett, Seydak, Smyth, Catney (Donnelly, 71), Gormley (O’Carroll, 69), Lynch, Boyce (Cosgrove, 81)
Subs not used: R Scannell, O’Kane
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Grieve, Montgomery, Friars, Brennan, Topley, Hutchinson (Harpur, 69), S Lavery (S O’Neill, 86), C Lavery, McKerr (PJ Lavery, 46)
Subs not used: Hazley, Fitzpatrick
Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus)
Dungannon Swifts 0 Ballinamallard United 1
Darren Murphy got a card he wouldn’t have wanted this Christmas as Dungannon Swifts were floored by a late, late goal on Boxing Day.
The Dungannon boss was sent off for protesting against a penalty which wasn’t awarded as Ballinamallard ended a run of three straight losses at Stangmore Park.
Craig Hill was the unlikely hero with a 93rd minute strike after a pulsating Tyrone-Fermanagh derby.
But all the post-match focus was on a penalty decision which had gone against Dungannon.
It came when a Ballinamallard defender appeared to handle the ball after tripping in the box – but the home side’s appeals were ignored.
At the final whistle, Murphy was sent from the dugout after an angry exchange with the referee, and headed straight to the officials’ room after the match.
When he emerged, his mood had not improved.
“I’m very disappointed that once again we come away from a football match talking about the referee rather than the game,” he said.
“I don’t know how he didn’t see it. It was a blatant hand-ball. It was impossible not to see it.
“This was a decent game of football between two teams who play the right way, created plenty of chances and provided entertainment for the fans. But everyone will talk about the referee.”
Murphy was also unhappy that his side failed to capitalise on a series of terrific chances.
Ryan O’Neill forced Alvin Rouse to make a terrific save from his free-kick in the first half while Johnny Topley hit the crossbar towards the end.
“I was frustrated we didn’t take our chances,” Murphy added.
“We created enough chances to win the game, didn’t take them and were caught at the end. We’ve caught teams at the end ourselves, it’s disappointing but that is football.
“I can’t fault the players for their effort or work-rate or anything like that, the thing that bitterly disappoints me is that we are talking about the referee.”
Leon Carters twice went close for Ballinamallard, rattling the left post with a first half effort while seeing a header brilliantly tipped over by Niall Morgan after half-time.
But it seemed the match would finish in stalemate until Hill’s late, late goal.
A counter attack from the visitors saw the right-back surge forward before planting a low strike in the bottom left-hand corner.
DGN SWIFTS: Morgan, R O’Neill, Montgomery, Friars, Grieve, S Lavery, Fitzpatrick (Hutchinson, 70), Topley, C Lavery, McKerr, S O’Neill (PJ Lavery, 81)
Subs not used: Brennan, Glackin, Harpur
BALLINAMALLARD: Rouse, Keohane, Charters, Stafford, Kee, Curran, Campbell, Crawford (Sheridan, 78), McCartney (Martin, 71), McKenna, Hill
Subs not used: McGrath, O’Grady, Feeney
Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge)
Boxing Day Entertainment For All The Family
Dungannon Swifts entertain the high flying Ballinamallard United in their first ever Boxing Day game in the Irish Premier League on Wednesday 26th December. Kick Off 3pm.
As a special treat for all of our supporters, players and friends, the club has arranged to have some entertainment in the form of the fantastic local live band ‘Daybreak’ to play after the fixture in the clubhouse. Daybreak will play from 5pm and carry on into the evening.
We will also be providing complimentary food for everyone in the clubhouse. So, why not enjoy some quality time over the festive period with those other people who share the same passion as you.
Everyone including and especially children will be made most welcome through out the day and evening. It is a time for all of the family to get involved and have a great day out over the holidays at Stangmore Park.
Please support your club.