DUNMURRY REC V WELLINGTON – Intermediate Cup - REC FALL AT FIRST HURDLE
Team: KERR, MCERLEANE, MCDONNELL, FENTON, MCMULLAN, TUMILTY, NAPIER, HEWITT, RUTHERFORD, CORR, MCCLARNON Subs: REDPATH, ANSLEY, FAULKNER
Dunmurry Rec travelled to Wellington Rec in Round 1 of the Intermediate Cup with a point to prove after 2 league defeats to the opponents. As well as the long term absentees Anto Walsh (injured), Kenny Camlin (illness) & Paddy Larkin ( Illness) were all out.
It was a decent day for football and the opening exchanges set the tone for the rest of the match with plenty of endeavour but few chances. It was the home team that created the 1st chance of the game when Simon Fenton slid in to clear a near post cross. Then on 13 mins a cross by Dee McClarnon was met by Ricky Rutherford but the header was straight at the keeper. On 20 mins a great chance for the Rec when good passing between Napier and Rutherford sees the former get to the bye line and his cut back was cleared just as Rutherford looked certain to score. On 25 mins Welly no 10 met a corner and headed just wide of the post. On 32 mins an in swinging free kick found Rutherford but he headed wide.
0-0
On 47 mins Rutherford turned 25 yards out and fired a shot low just past the post. Then on 54 mins a superb ball by Tumilty put McClarnon through on goal but his shot was straight at keeper. Then on 59 mins another chance goes begging when Rutherford beat the offside trap and squared for Neil Corr who took the shot early but it was a comfortable save for the keeper. Then on 62 mins a sucker punch when Sean Napier went down injured on the half way line and as some of the Rec players seem to hesitate thinking the game would be stopped Wellington played on and a ball over the top was picked up by the striker and he rounded Chris Kerr and scored from a tight angle. Sub Sean Napier for John Ansley. On 70 mins the Rec thought they had equalised when Neil Corr turned just inside the box and thumped a shot only for the keeper to produce a cracking save low to his left. On 76 mins Gary Hewitt hit a screamer from 25 yards that was just over. Wellington then had a great chance but Chris Kerr came off his line well to save with his feet. On 36 mins Paul Redpath and Donal Faulkner came on for Neil Corr and Dee McClarnon as the Rec went for broke. In the last 10 mins a series of corners saw Tumilty, McMullan and even goalkeeper Kerr go close. In injury time there were claims for a penalty when Simon Fenton was hauled to the ground but the Ref waived play on.
FT Dun Rec 0-1 Wellington Rec
MANAGERS COMMENTS
I’m very disappointed not to be in the next round after that performance. I thought it was a good competitive game, very little between the teams but without doubt we created more and better chances during the game. I have to be pleased with the player’s efforts and work rate and to be honest with a little bit of luck and the right bounce of the ball it could have been so different. Wellington are a good side and look a solid unit under Jim Hagan and they have only lost 2 times this season in about 16 games so to match them and at times outplay them on their own ground shows we are not far away. We had 1 lapse in concentration at the back and it costs us the game. They progress and we don’t so the players must learn from this experience. I thought it was a very strong team performance today. Michael McMullan who did not train all due to illness came in for Paddy Larkin who was sick this morning and I thought was outstanding. Simon Fenton again was solid and Barry Tumilty and Gary Hewitt strong. It was a game when we needed a bit of magic but Paul Redpath, who so often provides it for us, arrived feeling ill and l only brought him on the last 10 mins. Disappointing to be out but it will let us concentrate on the league so maybe a blessing in disguise.
