Ardglass FC Enjoy Decisive Win Over Dundrum Utd

Magee Four Goal Special Puts Ardglass into the final of the UFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell Cup

The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League

UFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell Cup semi-final.

Dundrum Utd 1 Ardglass FC 4

Ardglass did enough to see off rivals Dundrum in the semi-final shoot out at the Ballyhornan 3G pitch on Friday night (19th November) in a convincing performance writes Jim Masson.

This was a match that could have gone either way as both teams gave their all from the whistle, with Dundrum creating chances albeit less than Ardglass. However, it was Ardglass striker Michael Magee who turned the tables with a four goal performance, two goals in the first half and another two in the second.

The match started with Ardglass forward Stephen Deegan making a run for the Dundrum goal, with Dundrum answering by winning a corner.

As the match see-sawed up and down the pitch with both teams looking for an early goal, Matthew Rooney almost netted for Ardglass, but yet again Dundrum showed their metal and a good sharp attack by Aaron McKibben putting the ball through to Jamie Carroll almost paid off in the early minutes.

Dundrum were determined not to be intimidated by Ardglass and a McKibben launched a 30-yard volley but Ardglass goalkeeper got the shot under control.

Gradually Michael Magee positioned himself for an attack on Dundrum and it paid off on ten minutes when the ball came to his feet from a scramble in the goalmouth which he duly netted to put Ardglass a goal up.

Smelling blood, Ardglass increased the pressure and again Magee delivered shooting from the back of the box past keeper David Fitzpatrick into the middle of the net on 14 minutes.

Sean-Paul Halpin was unlucky in one goal bid as his calls for the ball having crossed the goal line were ignored.

The pace of the game certainly increased after this and it became a more physical affair with more fouls being blown by referee Antony Russell against both sides.

Magee positioned himself near the Dundrum goal and was looking for his third. He was a clear threat in a number of attacks to the Dundrum goal. Ardglass had a spell when Dundrum was under considerable pressure and won two corners.

Then Deegan make a useful run into the Dundrum half crossing to Aidan Watson but keeper Fitzpatrick read the move and closed down the attack.

Dundrum eventually managed a charge at the Ardglass goal when Jamie Carrol launched a volley but it was well held by Mark Armstrong.

But after a short period of more sustained pressure from Dundrum as Ardglass had taken their foot off the pedal, Aaron McKibben pulled a goal back at 35 minutes for Dundrum with a crisp shot from inside the box beating Armstrong.

Ardglass looked slightly stunned and Dundrum got their tails up and were quickly attacking the Ardglass goal again and won a corner, then they tended to fizzle out.

But the growing connection of Magee and Deegan proved effective and they almost scored approaching the half-time whistle. Deegan, well fired up, put an excellent ball through to Sean-Paul Halpin who found plenty of space to volley in the box but bit the crossbar.

Immediately Dundrum responded with two shots at the Ardglass goal and Ardglass gave away a corner. Ardglass created a few opportunities to score and one pass through to Deegan on the right saw him chase the ball onside towards the Dundrum goal but it had too much pace and ran in front of him.

Dundrum altough at times receiving a drubbing from Ardglass were still giving their best and knew an equaliser could turn the match, so they plodded on hoping for that break. But on 75 minutes the Deegans-Magee combination paid off when Deegans crossed to Magee who placed a low flying header into the right corner of the net and beat keeper Fitzpatrick to make his hat-rick to the delight of the Ardglass supporters.

Once again the gritty Dundrum players fought back and a free taken by Mark Grant to sub Christopher Holland almost produced results.

But it was the final goal by Michael Magee who popped the ball into the Dundrum net that was the proverbial icing on the cake for Ardglass putting them in an unbeatable position as the game was coming to a close. An outstanding effort by Magee!

Striker Michael Magee was definitely on form and despite Dundrum sub coming on early in the second half to mark Magee, the Ardglass forward still managed to score four goals putting his side in the driving seat.

Dundrum had a half chance to pull a goal back when Patrick Cunningham passed to Mulholland but Ardglass defender Neil Teggart who had a sold game intervened and broke the attack.

Overall, Ardglass had the edge, although they had lapses on concentration when Dundrum, despite having put up a gritty performance, could have punished them but just lacked that finishing touch at the goal end to make a difference.

Ardglass now will face Celtic Bhoys in the final at Christmas and on current form this should certainly be a game worth watching to shake off the Christmas cobwebs. Both teams defend well and score goals.

Who will win, the immovable stone or the irresistible force ?

Dundrum Utd: David Fitzpatrick, Jordan Kelly, Gavin Grant, Ciaran Fitzpatrick, Mark Grant, Patrick Cunningham, Andrew Smyth, Aaron McKibben, Chris Hogg, Scott McKibbin, Jamie Carrol. Subs: Christopher Mulholland, Daryl Russell, Kyle Glavin, Shane Todd, Sancton Byrne.

Ardglass FC:  Mark Armstrong, Shane Teggart, Lee McEvoy, Neil Teggart, Malachy Crangle, Matthew Rooney (C), Stephen Deegan, Aidan Watson, Michael Magee, Sean-Paul Halpin, Christian O’Connor. Suns: John Beattie, Stephen Moore, Shea Dorrian, Ryan McEvoy, Conor Kearney.