DUNMURRY REC V BARN UTD - REC THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND
Team: WILTON, McERLEAN, McDONNEL, FENTON, LARKIN, TUMILTY, NAPIER, HEWITT, RUTHERFORD, CORR, REDPATH, Subs: MCLARNON, MCCOY, T BURNS, CARLIN, MCMULLAN
Dunmurry Rec entertained Barn Utd at a blustery Ashley Park. Anto Walsh missed the game due to a bruised toe, while McClarnon and McMullan both carrying knocks were on the bench while due to Junior Shield rules both Liam Burns and John Ansley were with the Reserves. Captain Gary Hewitt returned from suspension and Steve McDonnell returned after missing last week due to work. Also making his first appearance of the year was goalkeeper Mark Wilton. It was Barn that created the first chance on when Larkin blocked from 5 yards, then on the barn No10 flicked the ball over the bar as the Rec struggled to get a grip of the game. On 23 mins the Rec took the lead when Tumilty placed a 24 yard free kick into the bottom right hand corner. Then on 24 mins it was almost 2 when Redpath did really well down the left but his cross was placed just the wrong side of the post by Napier. On 33 mins Fenton released Redpath on the right and his great cross was met by Rutherford but the keeper saved. On 36 mins Barn broke with numbers and the move ended with No 8 firing a fierce drive straight at Wilton. On 39 mins pressure from Corr saw him pick up a lose ball and sprint into the right channel before crossing for Rutherford to side foot home. Barn got a life line before the half time whistle a soft free kick was conceded by Napier and the kick was hammered home with a little wind assistance.
HT Rec 2-1
Right at the start Wilton produced a superb save, diverting a pile driver from round the post but the Ref had just blown for a Rec free kick. Then on 48 mins Wilton again saves smartly after a scramble in the box. For the next 20 mins the game was pretty even. Then on 70 mins Tumilty again plays a great ball for Rutherford to go 1-1 with the keeper but the big striker took too long and the keeper smothered the ball. Then 0n 74 mins Barn punished the Rec for the missed chances when a cross field ball found the right back overlapping and although Redpath did well to track the run the No 3 just managed to hold him off to make the score 2-2. Johnstone made a double sub bringing on T Burns and McCory for Napier and Corr. It looked the Rec were back in the lead on 82 when Tumilty burst through 1-1, promptly rounded the keeper and somehow found the side netting. But a moment later Tumilty slipped the ball through to Rutherford who although seemingly offside gratefully blasted the ball home. Redpath then broke through after beating 3 men but the last defender just got back to make a challenge. Finally the Rec put the game beyond doubt when on 88 mins Rutherford went through 1-1, rounded the keeper and although it looked like he had taken too long again he turned the onrushing defender and poked the ball home to complete his hat trick.
Dunmurry Rec 4-2 Barn Utd.
MANAGERS COMMENTS
We did not play as well as we have in recent weeks but we are in the next round and if we had taken our chances it would have been more comfortable. Barn certainly gave us a game today but I always felt we had another gear. I think it was a laboured performance; we passed the ball very poorly for most of the game but the conditions and a whistle happy Ref probably didn’t help the players. At 2-2 with 15 mins to go I thought.. ‘oops … here we go’… but to be fair to the players they dominated the last part of the game, created 5 really good scoring chances and took 2 that mattered. I thought Larkin did well at centre back, Fenton was solid, while Tumilty again was influential … but just how good is big Rutherford at present, scoring 13 in his last 8 games and with a hatrick today again picked up man of the match. Credit to, to Mark Wilton who, after the late withdrawal of No 1 keeper Kerr during the week, came in between the sticks for his first game in 4 months and gave a solid performance. That’s 4 wins on the bounce for the team, scoring 14 and conceding 5 so I cannot but be pleased with the effort of the players. It is vital to keep this run going. Next week sees us travel to Wellington in the Intermediate Cup and I know the players are busting for this one.
