Thompson adds cutting edge to Irish Cup triumph

RICHARD Thompson provided the cutting edge to Dollingstown’s weekend win over Amateur League-based Dunmurry YM on Saturday.

Thompson posed an attacking threat across the Irish Cup clash as the Intermediate League players picked up a well-earned 3-2 win.

The on-song striker carved out two early openings thanks to neat close-control.

However, Dunmurry grabbed the tie’s first goal against the run of play following a free-kick strike.

The Dollingstown response featured frustration for Thompson as his effort bounced back off the upright within 10 seconds of the second-half restart.

Dollingstown pushed on and managed to level the match thanks to Thompson’s spot-kick success following a foul on the forward inside the box.

Superb footwork by Brian Quilty then led to Dollingstown moving ahead as the former Irish League striker linked up with Thompson and the latter produced the finishing touch.

Chris Loney’s crisp finish placed Dollingstown clear by 3-1 on the way to a convincing victory, with Dunmurry’s injury-time goal offering little consolation.

“We were excellent to be honest, probably as good as at any point this season,” said Dollingstown’s Gary Duke. “We could have scored early on but then responded well to falling behind and managed to keep up the pressure.

“Although we created quite a few chances, credit must also go to the boys at the back as they had to work hard to close out the Dunmurry threat.”

DOLLINGSTOWN: Chris Fletcher, Michael McClean, Adam Walker, Aaron Moffett, Mark Savage, Gareth King, Andy Hamilton, John Banks, Richard Thompson, Brian Quilty, Chris Loney. Subs: Johnny McAdam, Kenny Camlin, Adam Montgomery.