Dollybirds recover from early blow to see off bottom of the table Wakehurst

Dollingstown fell behind after just five minutes. The goal came from a mistake in the defence when the Dollingstown keeper raced out and was beaten to the ball by the Wakeshurst striker who put a low cross into his partner McCaughern who scored into an empty net.

This was against the run of play as Jordan Gibson had two clear chances in the opening minutes. Dollingstown stayed on top and were awarded a penalty when Glen Hand was taken down in the box after good build up play, Glen picked himself up and tucked the penalty away to level the scores.

Dollingstown kept pressing and should have gone in front when after good football Gibson had a free header well saved by the Wakehurst keeper.

The second half started where the first half finished with Dollingstown pressing hard.

Jordan Gibson hit a good shot that was brilliantly saved and two minutes later Adam Walker made a break down the left and crossed for Richie Thompson to score with a header.

The visitors were playing good football at this stage with Andy King and Jason Rodgers controlling the midfield and putting some good passes through for the forwards.

Shane McPartland hit a long ball that put Thompson through one on one with the keeper but he could not finish. Gibson was also put through but hit a weak shot which was easily cleared .The same player brought another terrific save from the Wakehurst keeper as the Dollybirds pushed for a third goal. Glen Hand limped off and was replaced with Jake Redpath and at the same time Niall Lavery replaced Jordan Gibson. Dollingstown changed formation and also brought on Daryl Magee for Adam Walker, this left Richie Thompson up front on his own and invited Wakehurst to push forward. The centre half Karl Steele pushed forward but Dollingstown held out even though Walker hit the post for Wakehurst with a shot from outside the box.

Dollingstown travel to Armagh City in semi-final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup on Saturday with a 3.00pm kick-off.

Dollingstown: McPartland Coleman, McConnell, Rodgers,N King, Moffett, Walker, A King, Hand, Gibson, Thompson. Subs: Magee, Lavery, Redpath.