Central League: Division 1

  St Anthony's 4 - 3 Dunipace  

Dunipace's second league game of the season was an away tie at McKenna Park, Govan, against a St Anthony's side who had started their league campaign well with 2 wins from 2.

The playing surface was perfect, but conditions were made difficult by a strong wind blowing from corner to corner that meant in the opening 20 minutes of the game the ball was probably only in play for around 5!

With neither team really getting the ball down and playing it was always going to be a mistake that brought about the first goal and it was to come for the visitors, Tweedie intercepting an attempted backpass and side stepping the keeper to slot coolly into the net for his third goal in two league games.

In truth, playing against the wind this was one of the few occassions Dunipace managed to get out of their own half in the opening half an hour, but they took full advantage to take the lead.

It was a lead they were only to hold though for 5 minutes. A long wind assisted throw in found it's way into the midfielders run into the left channel and his cross found the Ants right wing back who headed beyond Hutton, who had no chance.

And that was how the scores remained into half time.

Dunipace came out at the start of the second half looking to take advantage of the wind that was now with them, but found themselves 2-1 down after only 5 minutes. Another ball into the right channel found the striker who was held up by Graeme MacMillan. Having no route to goal he turned and played the ball back to the edge of the area where the Ants central midfielder walked onto the ball un-matched to slot into the bottom corner, again leaving Hutton with no chance.

And it was to get worse for Dunipace when Cullen's short free kick was intercepted and the ball slid into the path of another run from midfield. With Graeme and Gary MacMilan left 3 on 2 at the back and the midfielder approaching the box unchallenged, Graeme MacMillan moved to block the shot. The midfielder slid the ball outside him to the free striker who rounded Hutton and tapped in for 3-1.

With Dunipace not really threatening the home goal they needed something to get them back into the game and it was the official who obliged giving what can only be described as a soft penalty when McIllduff caught a hand in the face from a jumping defender.

And despite being asked to take the kick twice following encroachment on his first successful attempt, Ryan McCafferty converted to give Dunipace a lifeline.

And 3 minutes later the referee awarded another very soft penalty to the visitors, much to the annoyance of the home side, when Tweedie was challenged in the area. Both penalties Dunipace would have been very unhappy to conceed had they been against them, so the home side's frustrations were understandable.

Nevertheless, Ryan McCafferty again stepped up to convert and bring the game level at 3-3.

And with that Dunipace would have hoped to push on and take all three points but they struggled to put any pressure on the home keeper and it was St Anthony's who were to grab a winner. Another ball into the right channel was picked up by the striker. This time it was Gary MacMillan blocking his route to goal so he rolled a pass into the run of the midfielder. And from his cross his midfield partner got above Wright to steer his header beyond Hutton from 6 yards.

Tweedie picked up a booking for dissent before Ryan McCafferty struck the bar from a loose ball following a corner from one of teh few chances Duniace created and the game played out 4-3 to the hosts.

And to complete what was a miserable day for Dunipace, McCafferty was booked for dissent following the final whistle.