THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT, THE FUTURE’S ORANGE

Confidence was high in the camp after last weeks vital Away win in Cookstown as they welcomed Stephen Magennis’ team to Dromore Leisure Centre.

Dromore kicked off and settled the quicker of the two dictating the play from the start. Dromore were finding great joy down the flanks with R.Taylor and A.Ball in particular lively in the opening exchanges.

The home side were very much on top but they were finding Gilford’s impressive goalkeeper in no mood to surrender the lead.

It was going to take something special and midway through the first half they found that deserved breakthrough goal with a magnificant left footed effort from outside the area. Good build up play from L.Luke ended with the C.Palmer’s curling shot that swung away from the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper and nestling in the bottom corner.

There was great delight amongst the large support who had gathered and this seemed to spur the young Dromore team on even more.

A second goal soon followed. Some neat passing football stretched the away side and a ball wide found an unmarked A.Ball whose driving run and cross from the right was turned into the net by M.Greenfield.

D.Branker almost scored a wonder goal after picking up a quick N.Forysthe free kick on the left. His 25 yard effort though fizzed past the upright by a matter of inches with the goalkeeper beaten.

A.Ball was again causing problems down the right and his cross gave E.Taylor a chance but the Dromore midfielder was unlucky not to further Dromores lead as his acrobatic volley destined for the far corner of the goal was clawed away by the Gilford goalkeeper.

R.Taylor was also threatening down the left wing with his link up play with D.Branker and mazy run almost forcing a third goal but the Gilford goalkeeper again came to his side’s rescue with a save at his near post.

Gilford did threaten on the counter attack during the first half but M.Weeks, M.Doyle and D.Branker were solid at the back throughout limiting the chances for the away side meaning J.Collins in the Dromore goal had little to do.

The home side sent out some reinforcements for the second half including J.Malcolmson retruning from injury, current leading goalscorer M.Gallagher, D.Thompson and D.Ringland.

J.Malcolmson and D.Thompson continued to threaten down the flanks and ten minutes into the half Dromore were celebrating a third goal. J.Malcolmson released M.Greenfield in the area before the Dromore striker skipped past a last ditch challenge before firing past a helpless goalkeeper at the near post.

Dromore continued to dominate and chances continued to arrive. M.Gallagher raced clear only to see the Gilford goalkeeper block bravely at his feet. The loose ball though ran kindly for D.Thompson who lobbed the ball over the covering defenders and into an unguarded goal.

N.Forsythe and D.Ringland both had efforts from distance that went close before the latter rattled the crossbar with a neat turn and shot in the area. E.Taylor also hit the post but Dromore wrapped the game up in style with a fifth goal close to the end. M.Greenfield turned provider with a deep cross that was turned in by J.Malcolmson at the back post.

At the final whistle there were joyeus celebrations as Dromores win leapfrogged them above Dungannon Youth into first place and a first league title.

The club would like to say a big thank you to the Seniors and the Committee for putting on food and refreshments after the game in the DAFC Clubrooms. And a special mention too as well to all the parents who have stuck by us through thick and thin.