We travelled to Dungannon on Saturday to play the Quarter Finals of the NIBFA Cup in what turned out to be a very cold and windy morning. Not much was known about Dungannon but it was clear from the start that it was not going to be a walk over. We started strong and after 5 mins Corai whipped in a corner which the defence cleared but only to the feet of Matthew Wallace, he was about 25 yards out and hit the ball sweetly which went straight through all the players and towards the keeper. The shot was that powerful that the keeper could not hold it and the ball eneded up in the back of the net. We then started to dominate the game and pressed for a second, there was a couple of good chances and a couple of goal line clearances but we just could'nt get that all important goal. During the last ten minutes of the first half we started to back off Dungannon and gave them more possesion of the ball and it was them who started to control the game. They were rewarded on the 27th minute when poor penalty box defending gave their man a shot on goal which ended up in the back of the net. It would have been nice to finish the half level and regroup but right on the stroke of half time they got a free kick on the edge of the box and with the wind behind them, fired the ball straight into the back of the net. The second half gave us hope as we had the wind behind us and knew if we could get a couple of clear chances then we could bring it level. One change was made at halftime with Owen came on for Blake. We started the second half strong and once again played some great football but Dungannon held tight and with some good goalkeeping kept the score at 2-1. Another change was made and Curtis Giltrap came on for Donal. We kept at it and eventually got the equaliser when Ruari stuck the ball in the back of the net after a great move by Barry. At 2-2 we knew we had to go for it and another change was made to strengthen the forward line, so Cian was brought on up front and Matty was taken off as we went three at the back. We had good chances and thought we had got a goal when Ruari put the ball in the back of the net only to find that the ref had ruled it offside, the hearts where certainly fluttering. Another change was made to see if fresh legs could up the tempo and Tim came on for Corai. The whistle blew for full time and we headed to extra time again, same as last week. The first period of extra time was all about defending and trying to get the first 10 minutes against the wind over without concedeing a goal....job done, now the second half of extra time. We pressed and after a great through ball from Barry, Ruari got on the ball and headed goalward, the dungannon defense tried to push him wide but he got round them and fired the ball into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance to save it. We ended up having to defend hard for the last 5 minutes as Dungannon really came at us looking for the equaliser. With some good defending and sweeping up from Ewan we managed to hold on and were overjoyed when the final whistle went. It was a great match to watch and at times both teams looked good enough for the win. Congratulations to the whole squad and a special thanks to Sam for travelling to Dungannon and not getting off the bench. His support to the team is great and his words of encouragement were appreciatted. Great battling performance to put us through to the semi finals. MOM Finn.
