A superb comeback saw Dungannon Swifts snatch victory against a battling Strathroy Harps in a thrilling pre-season game at the Athletic Grounds. Two goals down at half-time, the Premiership side seemed to be heading for an embarrassing defeat against an impressive Strathroy side.
But they came storming back, scoring three times in eight second half minutes to claim their second win of the pre-season campaign on Saturday.The winning goal came from JP Gallagher, whose powerful free-kick went in off the crossbar to snatch a morale-boosting victory.
Dungannon first team coach Rodney McAree focused on his side’s second half performance, preferring to forget a very average opening 45 minutes.
“In the first half I was deeply disappointed with a lot of our players,” he said. “The pitch was good, it was set up to be a good afternoon, but in that first half we were very poor.After half-time our efforts were much improved. The players did everything that was asked of them.They attacked in numbers, created plenty of chances, and defended when needed. That was the type of performance I want every week.”
“At this stage of the season it is not about the result, it’s more about the performance and building up the players’ fitness levels,” McAree added.
“We are three weeks away from the start of the new season and from now on we really need to start focusing on getting things right.”
This was Strathroy’s first match of the pre-season campaign, and coach Cathal Gavin was pleased with the players’ efforts.
“We only started back in training last week so it was all about getting a good workout, and for the first hour I thought we matched Dungannon,” he said.It was a good chance to gauge ourselves against a higher standard of football, and I cannot ask any more from the players. We were first class. Towards the end we ran out of energy and Dungannon showed a wee bit of class, but overall we can take a lot of positives.”
Strathroy got off to a dream start when Caolin McCrossan put them in front inside two minutes. Tony Quinn forced Dungannon into losing possession and played McCrossan through. He rounded the goalkeeper before finding the net.
Terry Fitzpatrick then missed a great chance to level, heading over from a Dale Noble cross, before Strathroy doubled their lead in the 37th minute.
Darren Teague delivered a cross and Quinn headed home from close range.
Dungannon made several changes in the second half, with Adam McMinn, Michael McKerr and Stefan Lavery among the players coming on.
And the changes seemed to jolt the Premiership side into life. Lavery dragged a shot wide while Stephen O’Neill headed straight at Dermot Donnelly. But the substitute ‘keeper, playing after an early injury to Tomas Antzcak, was beaten seconds later when O’Neill headed home McKerr’s cross.
Dungannon drew level in the 72nd minute. The two O’Neills, Stephen and Ryan, combined to set up Lavery and his effort went in off the left post. And they completed a superb comeback four minutes later.Gallagher’s thunderous free-kick ricocheted off the crossbar and down, with the assistant referee ruling the ball had landed just behind the line.
STRATHROY HARPS: Antzcak, Damon Teague, McElholme, McCaskie, McGovern, Sloan, Nugent, Cunningham, Darren Teague, McCrossan, Quinn
DGN SWIFTS: Curran, R O’Neill, Brennan, Montgomery, Gallagher, Grieve, Fitzpatrick, Hutchinson, Noble, S O’Neill, S Friars
* On Friday night Dungannon lost 2-0 to a strong Chile under-20 side at Stangmore Park. Their opponents are in Northern Ireland for the Milk Cup competition.
Meanwhile, Dungannon United Youth’ under-11 team beat Hearts 13-12 on penalties to lift the 2012 Foyle Cup following a 2-2 draw.
