Dollingstown continue fine start with win at Queens

Ritchie Thompson started the brightly with three good chances in the first 15 minutes,all made by his pace but he failed to convert any of them.

He did however play a key role in the opening goal of the game on 22 minutes when he won a crucial header to set up his striking partner Neil Clydesdale to round the keeper and slide the ball into the empty net.

Queens then upped there game and a strong run down the right by full back Daniel Culbert was headed over the bar by Ryan Murphy.

Young Jamsie Wright making his first start of the season following his move from Portadown then burst down the right wing and rounded the full back who duly brought him down inside the area for a penalty which was calmly converted by captain Aaron Moffett to put DFC 2-0 up on 40 minutes.

During the remaining five minutes of the first half DFC were really dominant with Thompson having a superb goal disallowed for offside and Adam Walker fired over the top after a superb free flowing move.

Queens made two substitutions at half time with Sean Walsh and Eoghan Byrne replacing Jamie Mairs and James Turley. This seemed to revitalise Queens who fired an excellent shot against the post in the first minute of the second half.

However, Dollingstown rallied but failed again to convert three wonderful chances after some neat inter play.

Credit however to the Queens keeper who saved two of these with his feet as the strikers bore down on him.

Queens should have got a goal on 55 minutes when goalkeeper Kris Fletcher dropped a shot and Queens missed from all of three yards out.

DFC responded with Andy Hamilton replacing Marty Hughes in midfield where substitute Eoghan Byrne was pulling all the strings for Queens.

Then on the hour mark Queens were offered a lifeline when Neil King was adjudged to have handled a cross in the box and although keeper Kris Fletcher saved the penalty Queens were more alert and followed up to put the rebound into the net which set up a fascinating final 30 minutes.

Winger Michael Allison from Queens was having an excellent second half putting in a number of very dangerous

crosses that were in general well dealt with by the DFC defence. He also fired a superb 25 yard shot that keeper Fletcher

did well to turn round the post. Andy King replaced the tiring Jamsie Wright as DFC tried hard to contain a rampant Queens who were searching for an equaliser.

However DFC stood up to everything that was thrown at them and held out for a very valuable three points.

Ashley Gregg then came on for final 5 minutes for the hard working Ritchie Thompson.

With manager Gary Duke being away in Scotland watching his son Aaron it was left to his very able assistant Mark Savage to co-ordinate this win which keeps DFC on target of trying to get an average of one point a game to retain there place next season in senior football.

This Saturday Dollingstown are away to Portstewart with the bus leaving from the Planters, Waringstown at 11.15am.

Team: Kris Fletcher, Jake Redpath, Dwayne Kerr, Martin Hughes, Aaron Moffett, Neil King, Neil Clydesdale, Jordan Gibson, James Wright, Ritchie Thompson, Adam Walker.

Subs: Andy Hamilton, Andy King. Ashley Gregg, Kyle Robinson, Gavin O Neill.