DUNMURRY REC V UUJ – Clarence Cup

 

Team: CHRIS KERR, FENTON, LARMOUR, COLIN KERR, MCMULLAN, WALSH, COLLINS, HEWITT, RUTHERFORD, LEITCH

Subs: MCERLEANE, NAPIER, DICKEY

 

REC DO JUST ENOUGH

 

Dunmurry Rec squeezed into the next round of the Clarence Cup after a tough game with 1A side UUJ.  Tumilty, Larkin, McDonnell, Devine & Camlin were all missing for the Rec but McErleane and Napier returned after 4 weeks out.

 

It was UUJ who started brighter forcing 3 corners in the opening minutes. On 16 mins the first chance of the game sees Fenton block well 16 yards out. On 20 mins the Rec’s first chance sees a Redpath shot from the edge of the box easily saved by UUJ keeper. For the next 10 mins the game was scrappy with both sides struggling to string any passes together with the Rec becoming frustrated.  30 mins - GOAL – Redpaths lob to the back sees Rutherford challenge the keeper and the ball broke to Collins who controlled and fired home into the corner.

 

HT  Rec 1- 0 UUJ

 

The Rec came out strong and almost extended their lead on 48 mins when Rutherford released Walsh down the left and his crisp shot is excellently pushed over by keeper.  On 53 mins a super cross by Leitch is just to high for Rutherford who heads over from 9 yards out.  Then on 56 mins a great move involving Kerr & Leitch sees Redpath tee up from Rutherford but he blasts wide form 16 yards.  Then on 59 mins, Walsh bursts into the box but his shot is charged down. The Rec were well on top but UUJ sent a reminder when a striker saw his curled shot from 20 yards saved by Kerr. On 63 mins, Napier came on wide right for Collins with Redpath moving up front. GOAL - Almost immediately, however UUJ were all square. A UUJ free kick taken from the wrong place and with the ball still rolling caught the Rec players of guard allowing UUJ to break down their left, a deflected of McMullan, Kerr saved well but a striker was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.

On 72 mins Fenton releases Leitch but he blasts wide with only the keeper to beat although the angle was tight.  Then on 75 mins, Kerr produced an excellent save when UUJ broke but the big keeper saved with his legs. On 80 mins, Rutherford fired just wide from the edge of the box.  On 85 mins Redpath jinx into the box past 2 defenders but his shot was well saved by UUJ keeper, then in injury time McMullan’s long ball is headed back across goal by Napier for Rutherford who somehow fired wide from 6 yards.

 

FT 1-1

 

In extra time McErleane replaced the injured Larmour. The Rec created numerous chances with Rutherford firing into the side netting and Redpath shooting straight at the keeper. GOAL - The Rec at last converted a chance when Rutherford nodded down for Walsh to slot home from 7 yards.  Late on Dickey came on for Leitch as Rec saw the time out to progress into the next round.

 

FT Rec 2-1 UUJ

 

MANAGERS COMMENTS

Certainly not a classic performance by us today but the important thing is we dug in and are in the next round. Despite 5 players missing we still had a very strong 14 but the players seemed anxious and struggled to pass the ball with any conviction. In truth UUJ gave us a very good game and at times passed the ball much better than us. However we created more than enough chances to win the game comfortably and therefore have only ourselves to blame for extra time. I thought the back 4 did well, Kerr again solid as a rock in nets with Walsh scoring the vital goal to cap off a man of the match performance.
Credit to the Ref for a good display. Big league game next week against Dromara with 3 points vital.