Swifts leave it late but win
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
DD4739.
By SIMON CUNNINGHAM at Stangmore Park.
Dungannon Swifts 2. Ballymena United 1.
DUNGANNON Swifts manager John Cunningham tasted his first league win on Saturday as his team left it late to kill off basement club Ballymena United. Cunningham's only other victory during his Swifts career was the 3-0 away victory over Linfield.
James Slater got the vital goal which puts some daylight between Dungannon and Roy Walker's Ballymena United. On a day when nothing but a win would do, the veteran striker got on the end of an Adam McMinn header in second half injury time to grab all three points. It was Slater's first goal since his return to the Club during the summer and could be one of the most important of the season. In danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight, Dungannon now find themselves five points ahead of the bottom spot.
Up until that point, the game had been memorable for all the wrong reasons with the game held up for 17 minutes in the first half as Ballymena's highly rated Albert Watson came out of a tackle with Timmy Adamson worse off.
Although at first, fears were that he had sustained broken leg, the diagnosis is that Watson suffered a bad gash and will be out of action until well into the new year. Swifts player Michael Hegarty, himself a physiotherapist was among those who tended to Watson on the ground before the ambulance arrived. Gavin McDonnell came on in place of the injured player.
That was one of the few talking points of a dire opening 45 minutes. Cunningham had made two changes to the side which had lost to Linfield earlier in the week. Darragh Peden reclaimed his place at the heart of defence in place of Johnny Montgomery who was named among the substitutes while Jamie Tomelty came in for Darren Murphy.
With the long delay in play, it wasn't until first half stoppage time that either side came even close to scoring. Melaugh first missed a great opportunity for the visiting team in the second minute of added time, failing to convert from less than six yards from Kevin Kelbie's cross.
Three minutes later and Mark McAllister came close for the Swifts. but Alan Blayney got down well to block his shot from Jamie Tomelty's pin point cross.
Ballymena's Stuart King meanwhile pounced on a loose ball in the Dungannon box in the 11th minute of injury time but his shot struck Dwayne Nelson's chest.
After a first in which neither team had been dominant, the Swifts task in the second period was perhaps made that little bit easier when they were reduced to ten men when Aidan Watson received his marching orders just four minutes into the half.
He received a second yellow card for a foul on Jamie Tomelty having earlier received his first booking for a foul on the same player in the final minute of first half stoppage time.
Dungannon then took the initiative and went ahead on 57 minutes with Ryan Mullan claiming his third goal of the season. He picked up a loose ball from Marc McCann's corner, and took it forward to shot from 25 yards, the strike swerving past a flat-footed Ballymena goalkeeper.
The Swifts were starting to create chances and came close to adding to their advantage on a number of occasions. With 69 minutes played, Jamie Tomelty tried his luck from the edge of the box but his shot along the ground was straight at the Ballymena 'keeper.
A minute later, Dungannon squandered a golden opportunity to score a second. A terrific long ball from Ryan Mullan unleashed Marc McCann who was free of the Ballymena defence. With only the goalkeeper between himself and the goal, McCann perhaps had too long to consider the chance and his shot was directed at the 'keeper's legs.
The chances were starting to come thick and fast for Dungannon but no breakthrough. A McCann corner came out to Shea McGerrigan in the 71st minute. His low shot beat the goalkeeper but went wide of the post. Marc McCann had a further chance of the Swifts on 81 minutes but his shot was also saved.
And it looked like Dungannon were going to be made to pay when Ballymena struck just a minute later. Kevin Kelbie tried to lob Dwayne Nelson - he saved but the ball fell to Teggart who made no mistake.
As the match approached full-time, it appeared all over for Swifts until their goal at the death. Jamie Tomelty almost scored on 89 minutes but Ballymena 'keeper Blayney produced a terrific save.
And then came the goal. Dwayne McManus, who had only joined the game in 88th minute crossed into the danger area and although McMinn got his head to it was the other late substitute James Slater that got the final touch to send Stangmore Park into raptures.
Dungannon Swifts: Nelson, Mullan, Peden, McMinn, Gallagher, Hegarty (McManus, 88), Fitzpatrick, Tomelty, McCann (Slater, 88), Adamson (McGerrigan, 61), McAllister.
Subs not used: Murphy, Montgomery.
Booked: Mullan (29), McMinn (84).
Ballymena United: Blayney, Wray, Haveron, Al Watson (McDonnell, 23), Picking (Ward, 65), Melaugh, Teggart, Kelbie, King (Deans, 65), Ai Watson, Colligan.
Subs not used: Mullan, Stewart.
Booked: Kelbie (46), Watson (63, 49)
Sent off: Ai Watson (49).
