Football: Creditable draw for Tobermore at Dollingstown

The home side as expected came out of the blocks at breakneck speed and thought that they had got off to the perfect start when they scored inside the first 2 minutes only for it to be disallowed for offside.

Tobermore’s back four and keeper were kept very busy throughout the first half hour with a well disciplined Dollingstown midfield and forward line but on 35 minutes Dean Stewart had a great chance to upset the home sides plans but the big midfielders effort went strait at the home keeper who saved comfortably.

The start of the second half saw Dollingstown maintain their pressure on Tobermore’s goals and Thompson went very close with a long range effort that came back off Matty McGraw’s crossbar.

Despite the constant barrage from the home side Tobermore boss, Adrian Whiteside, will be well pleased with how his defense and keeper coped, especially as Conor Kearns was missing through suspension, but in the 85th minute it seemed like all of their hard work would be in vain as the referee pointed to the spot for another very controversial penalty, the third against Tobermore in three consecutive games.

Ex Coagh man Jamie Tomelty stepped up to take the penalty that would surely have secured a vital win for DFC but the nippy front man scuffed his kick, struck the post and the ball was hammered away to safety.

For many justice was done as the assistant admitted after the game that it shouldn’t have been a penalty.

All in all a very hard earned point that sees Tobermore remain in third spot but for the hosts the battle goes on to gain the 6 points from the last 4 games they feel they need to survive.

Result; Dollingstown 0 - 0 Tobermore United

Tobermore United; M. McGraw; N. Murray, M, Harkness; R. Marks, P. Keane, D. Stewart, R. Devine, R. Twist, P. Duffin, R. Winton T. Parkhill; Subs- ; M. Curtis. D. Brown, S.Lamont