McColgan's men fight back for draw

DUNGIVEN Celtic and Churchill United played out an entertaining draw on Saturday with the Waterside men staging a late comeback to share the points.

The entire game was played at a frantic pace and within minutes Gary Simpson was allowed to travel with the ball and he struck a shot with his left foot which went just wide.

Dungiven then took the lead with a quick counter attack down the right which led to a cross which was poked home after the initial cross was headed onto the bar.

Seconds later Dungiven wasted a glorious chance to double their lead; a pinpoint cross into the box was headed over from six yards out under no pressure.

With both sides trying to pass the ball about it was Churchill's midfield that started to boss the game and they created several chances before eventually pulling level. Colin McGarrigle had a good header wide from a Kevin McLaughlin cross on the right. Peter Doherty then cut in from the left and struck a shot straight at the keeper.

The Dungiven defence was having difficulty dealing with the pace and movement of Robbie Godfrey and Kevin McLaughlin, they combined when Godfrey played a give and go with McLaughlin before picking out Simon Morrow at the back post but his header was saved.

Minutes later they combined again when McLaughlin slid Godfrey in behind the defender before cutting back inside and slotting past the goalkeeper. Morrow then had the next Churchill chance when he came in from the right but hit the side netting with his shot.

With Paul McColgan's side looking dangerous going forward they still had to be wary of Dungiven on the counter attack.

United then wasted a great opportunity to take the lead, Brian Devine played in Godfrey who ran to the goal line and cut the ball back for McLaughlin who tried to place his shot but it hit the defender and bounced straight into the keeper's hands.

Just before half time Simpson combined with Godfrey who played in Morrow who travelled to the penalty area before cutting back for Godfrey who shot straight at the keeper.

In the second half Churchill gave possession away very cheaply and allowed Dungiven to get back into the game. They had a couple of early chances but couldn't make the most of them. As with the first half the home team looked most dangerous on the break and they took the lead from a Churchill corner.

McLaughlin swung the corner in and it made its way into the keeper's hands via a deflection. He kicked the ball over the top of the two covering defenders and the bounce took out the last man before the Dungiven centre forward lobbed the ball over the onrushing Brown.

Shortly after Churchill levelled again when a corner was cleared to Doherty on the edge of the area: he beat his man before threading a ball through for McGarrigle who cut inside and finished coolly.

Dungiven then went into the lead again, this time a poor goal kick was picked up by the Dungiven's left winger who skipped past his man before turning inside another defender and firing home a great drive to complete a great solo goal.

With just over fifteen minutes to go Dungiven thought they put the game to bed as they made it four two after some neat play down their right.

Churchill kept playing and did create a few chances but failed to convert any of them.

With only three minutes left on the referees watch Churchill pulled a goal back through Godfrey after good build up play.

Churchill then sealed a draw with a minute left on the clock, McGarrigle slid past the goalkeeper to complete a dramatic comeback.

Dungiven will feel like it was two points dropped after being two in front with minutes to go but Churchill will feel like a point is the least they deserved especially with the chances they created in the first half.