Central League: Division 1

  St. Anthony's 1 - 2 Dunipace  

St. Anthony's: Mansare (78)
Dunipace: Wright (44), McIllduff (88)

Having gotten their league campaign off to a winning start with a last minute Wright winner against Shettleston at Westfield on opening day, Dunipace made the trip to McKenna Park to face St. Anthony's on a day tailor made for football. No wind, the park in fantastic condition and blue skies overhead would hopefully contribute to what is usually an event filled spectacle when these sides have met over the last few seasons.

In truth though this one got off to quite a slow start, with both teams unable to create anything in the final third despite some nice inter-passing, with both defences standing firm to snuff out anything that even remotely resembled a threat on goal.

The first real effort on either goal came from distance as St Ants full back Miller strode forward to strike a fantastic effort from 30 yards low towards the corner. McCurlay though, from nowhere, pulled off an excellent save to turn the strike around the post for a corner.

And the keeper had to be sharp minutes later as he turned another strike around the post high to his right. Despite these 2 shots from distance from the home side McCurlay in goal was largely a spectator as Dunipace made the better of their possession, looking the more likely to make the breakthrough than their hosts.

Indeed Moodie had a half chance blocked just inside the area, before McIllduff couldn't stretch enough to get a header on a fine cross from Henderson as he found himself unmarked in the area. Oates also went close as he rose to head a free kick wide before Cairney passed up the opportunity to shoot from 18 yards on his left side after good play on the wing from Mullen, beating three men before centering.

For all their good play though, it was to be a mistake in the Ants defence that opened the door for Dunipace to go ahead. Moodie capitalised on a slip from the centre half before playing a wonderful through ball for the ever willing runner Wright. As has become the norm for the midfielder he showed great composure to slot the ball beyond Connolly in the home goal to give Dunipace the half time lead.

The second half started in much the same way as the first had ended with Dunipace making the better of the play. Defensively Oates and Ried were solid again with Henderson at left back also very impressive as he continues his superb start to life at Dunipace. On the right hand side the Energy of Brown in both defence and attack was proving to be difficult for the home side to deal with as time and again he and Wright linked to create opportunities down the Dunipace right.

And it was from one of these attacks the Pace should have extended their lead. Following good play from Brown, Wright and Moodie McIllduff found himself free 18 yards out in the centre of goal. The striker, making his first appearance of the season after a 4 match ban, took a good first touch but drilled his strike straight at Connolly in goal.

Moments later Dunipace had another fantastic chance to extend their lead as Wright headed wide from a superb Cairney corner as he found himself un-marked in the area. And seconds later Dunipace, for all the good chances created, nearly took the lead in bizarre fashion as Connolly in goal turned a McIllduff cross onto his own bar as Mullen waited to head home at the back post.

And the keeper was to be involved again soon after as he tried to beat McIllduff inside his own box. The striker saw it coming and the keeper ended up running the ball out for a throw. Wright threw it early to McIllduff who squared to Mullen and with the keeper in the wide area and nowhere near goal he was thankful to see Mullens effort turned around the post by his full back who had gotten back to cover.

Given the number of good chances to finish the game it was something of a sucker for Dunipace as McCurlay, who had been a spectator most of the second half, was the keeper picking the ball out of the net. To say it was fortunate is an understatement. Having seen his first cross blocked on the right flank Mansare threw another into the area. Fortunately for him it was mis-hit and his cross floated over everyone and in at the back post.

Credit to them though, Dunipace never looked like they would accept a draw from a game that they should have been winning comfortably and almost immediately regained the lead as McIllduff played Cairney through on goal. Cairney though took one touch too many and his eventual effort was snuffed out by the home keeper.

Dunipace were not to be denied and following more excellent work between Brown and Wright, the wide midfielder whipped in a wonderful ball between the goalkeeper and defence and McIllduff got himself on the end of it to poke home for 2 - 1 Dunipace.

Another fine performance by the Pace as their impressive start to the season continues. The only slight concern being that the game should have been sewn up long before a the late goal was required to grab all 3 points. On the flip side of that however, for the second week running Dunipace showed that they are not willing to accept anything less than a victory and put their opposition under pressure right to the end in order to get the deserved win.

St. Anthony's: Connolly, Haruey (McCuish 60), Miller, Mansare, Ritchie, R McDonnald, McGrath, Rea, Ogilvie, White (Brodie 58), Cummings
Not Used: Brown, McGowan, Fiitzpatrick, McLanughlin, R McDonnald

Dunipace: McCurley, Brown, Henderson, Reid, Oates, Cullen, Wright, Cairney, McIllduff, Moodie (Pincombe 80), Mullen
Not Used: Kane, Sibbald, Buchanan, Hunter
Yellow: Henderson

Official: D. Crothers