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#390833 Susie On Tour - #4 Spanish Revival
DNZY
#390831 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
FINAL
87 years of hurt, will Dungannon finally win their first major honour?
DUNGANNON CREATE HISTORY! First ever major trophy for the Co. Tyrone club with Peter McSweeney stealing the spotlight in a narrow win at Solitude! Not a brilliant game, but we looked more likely to get the winner, it was only a matter of when. Ballymena fired aimlessly all game in hope for something miraculous to occur. The flicked header from McSweeney looped over the advancing keeper to seal the deal and have Swift fans dancing in the streets tonight! My first piece of silverware in Northern Ireland since FM14. Hurrah!
#390823 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 26
Convincing win over Newry prepped us nicely for Tuesday’s big encounter in the League Cup final. Not that we had any trouble motivating ourselves anyways with Sean Dempsey adding two more to his goalscoring season, one on either side of half time plus a penalty from David Donnelly and wrapped up neatly by Liam Watt. Of course Newry had to steal a memento to their defeat to avoid us keeping a clean sheet, but pedantic overall. Bring on Ballymena!
Brady and Dempsey made it into team of the week based on that.
#390815 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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FIFTH ROUND
Deary me! Second half masterclass from the Swifts, romping past the cup holders with ease. A whirlwind five or six minutes blew Cliftonville out of the water with two goals from Donnelly and two from McFarland to send the twenty travelling fans beserk. It’s not as if they were bad, they had a good first half to push us back but it’s a game of two halves after all.
SIXTH ROUND DRAW
Ballinamallard are the reward, hopefully it'll be an easy run in from here on in.
#390457 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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FIRST ROUND
Took a bit of physical exertion to topple inferior Lurgan Celtic with our second side fielded. We effectively swamped the possession but just no end product to match as young teenage striker Sean Clarke failed to make the difference in the normal 90. One change for extra time; Sean Dempsey on for Clarke – 30 seconds later? Goal. Made it look comfortable in providing the clinical touch to break the Celts’ resistance to book our place in the next round. Knackering ourselves before the Irish Cup.
Unfortunate for Brownlee, handy backup to have but surely out for the season.
QUARTER FINAL DRAW
Handy enough, facing non league opposition in Tandragee.
#390454 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
Reggie Morgan - D(L)/D(C) - free transfer from Glentoran
I wasn't joking about Fitzgerald's position in hot water, as this guy is certainly eyeing it up. Quite the mixed bag of attributes but is a defensive team player and leader who'll no doubt orchestrate the back four. Tall, stocky and may solidify our team even further on an already superb season. We've the league to challenge for after all.
#390452 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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MATCHDAY 25
It was almost a red flag day on top of a red card day at Stangmore, escaping embarrassment to push past doomed Institute. Fitzgerald got into more hot water with his second red card of the season after only eight minutes, leading to the inevitable consequence just three minutes later to hand ‘tute the lead. McDermott kept the game ticking over at 1-0 while we battled against the odds to force an equaliser through top scorer Sean Dempsey with help of a deflection. Somehow we turned it around before the first half elapsed through a low Liam Watt shot that rolled in off the bubbly, torn up pitch to deceive Casey keeping it out. The worm moved to the other foot as Institute found themselves down to ten, allowing us to control the game a lot easier with a third goal provided by Aaron Kane to cruise until the end. Lucky escape!
#390076 Susie On Tour - #3 Heading Down Under
DNZY
TRANSFERS IN
With the restrictive nature of A-League transfer policy and registration, some 0% loans were required to add a bit of quality into the squad. Walker-Peters has a solid choice for left back and worked the wings in search of the overlap many times. His Spurs team mate Thomas Glover, of course is an Australian native so no problems registering him, also drafted but with Thomas Sorensen being a stalwart in goal, he was left warming the bench during his entire loan spell. Calvert-Lewin was a risky one, had to drop Brandán to make room for him but with his versatility he looked sharp and injected a lot more pace.
A-LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON
As you can see this is quite possibly one of the most boring leagues imaginable. Couldn't score more than two goals in a game it's that bad. Made a poor start to life with two defeats at the beginning, but our fortunes completely turned around with nine wins in our next ten, somehow losing to Wellington Phoenix in between in a match we dominated. It was until about February where bad form hit us hard, losing a few key players to injury - notably Cahill and Franjic. Started drawing matches galore, plus a crucial win over Sydney in injury time to put us in a great position of closing in on top spot. Sadly, we blew it in our final two games against Adelaide and Perth Glory.
Melbourne Victory stole top spot, Sydney coming a close second and it got so bad that Brisbane Roar managed to overtake us into third and therefore ended up in a mediocre fourth.
A-LEAGUE FINALS SERIES
Disastrous, eliminated in the Elimination match to Adelaide United. Completely burnt out.
FFA CUP
F*cking Melbourne Victory. Horrible little team of swines who robbed us in the 89th minute to take the cup away from us in front of nearly 100,000 fans(?!). That said we had a good run in defeating A-League sides Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar on the way and easily dismantling Adelaide Comets in the semi-finals. Still yet to win any form of cup in these challenges, that may be the closest we get.
There was a silver lining though, claiming the Manager of the Year award and taking my first honour in these challenges.
Goodbye, Oz. I won't miss you.
Hyundai A-League Finals Series - Elimination Final = 0 points
FFA Cup - Finalists = 20 points
Beat Melbourne Victory - (x1) = 5 points
Manager of the Year - Yes = 5 points
____________________________________________
Total Points = 40 points
#389935 The Lower League Thread
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#389559 2017/18 Champions League
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#389555 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
___________________________________________
DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP
MATCHDAY 24
2036 greeted us with a late win at Windsor Park to make it ten games unbeaten in all competitions. Safe to say it wasn't a classic with neither team willing to concede. David Donnelly lit the fuse with a stunner from range, arrowing right into the top corner for the lead. The lead lasted mere moments as Andrew Brown used his head to guide in a cross by Craig Mudd on the right channel. The replacement of Simon McFarland on for Sean Dempsey turned out to be right on the money to convert a free kick from the edge of the area. This form shows no sign of stopping right now.
#389445 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 23
It was all about two stunning free kicks from Sean Dempsey but a costly draw away to Ballymena to finish off 2035. Ballymena's opener also originated from a free kick, however it took a sharp deflection off the head of David Donnelly. Dempsey stepped up to the mark with two belters - one from the D and the other went even further out pushing 30 yards. Nakamura would have been proud of those. Despite having the upper hand, we completely shot ourselves in the foot as Liam Watt took too long in possession to grant Ballymena bombing forward and Jim Black couldn't miss to draw level. We thought we won it through Aaron Kane but strayed offside to have it ruled out. Not the worst way to end the year but this was there for the taking.
Two for Dempsey, placing him into the final team of the week of the calendar year.
RESULTS OVERVIEW
Eight games in twenty nine days is tough going but didn't lose a single one. Four wins and four draws with three clean sheets, we're definitely making a statement. Dempsey got back to scoring form, with McFarland rotating shifts and gaining a few goals too. All bleedin' coming together.
LEAGUE TABLE
The Ballymena draw was a setback, allowing Cliftonville to put a two point safeguard ahead of us in second. Glenavon stay in the hunt as well in what will be a very interesting title race. Let's hope we continue this into 2036.
#389437 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 22
Boxing day didn't offer much seasonal cheer, just twenty two semi pros in shorts running off the turkey from the night before. Very quiet game overall at Ferney Park only for one deciding moment of the game; McSweeney had his shirt almost torn off in the area to give David Donnelly the winning spot kick in the 67th minute. Ballinamallard weren't quite out of the game and threatened late on with Michael McCord, strumming a chord with the clink of the crossbar to miss out on a point.
#389434 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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MATCHDAY 21
Expected this on the back of the exhilarating midweek semi-final, but thankfully rescued a point. Counted on McDermott having a strong game between the sticks, saving six efforts before the seventh shot got the better of him as questionable defending allowed Stuart Donnelly to poke home at the near post. With seconds ticking it was a former Coleraine member who undid the Derry side, Liam Watt popping up to connect the dots with Dempsey's cross for a rather undeserved point. We'll pocket it.
McDermott credited in team of the week.
#389427 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
SEMI-FINAL
IN-F*CKING-CREDIBLE! WE'RE INTO A CUP FINAL! Ecstatic doesn't even cut it as we pour our heart and soul into this performance and reap the rewards. Sure, we may have blown a 2-0 advantage through Dempsey and Kane only to fall 3-2 behind but our body language did not accept to be defeated. McParland fuelled with ambition after his new deal to head in the equaliser and if that weren't enough Peter Beggs shunted home through a rally of deflections to restore an incredible comeback. Cliftonville wouldn't allow it and the odious wasp of Pat Molloy...a suspiciously offside Pat Molloy bagged a hat-trick to take it to another half hour. Huffing and puffing, Dempsey tucked home Simon McFarland's cross to nudge us back into the lead but again it wasn't good enough for the travelling Shamrocks who added the tenth goal of the game through sub Simon Whitten. Pulsating game at 5-5, surely it was heading for spot kicks. Not on Dempsey's watch, McFarland the architect again with his third assist of the game to roll the ball to his path and the sheer drive of the hit had the stadium bouncing to seal an incredible win and book us into a famous first ever League Cup final in the club's history. I need a glass of water.
The fans certainly got their money's worth.
"I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again." - Martin Tyler
FINAL DRAW
The other semi had to be separated by extra time as Ballymena surprised Glenavon to set up a real underdog final.
#389425 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 20
Trojan defending secured us a big win over Glentoran to maintain our overachieving league form. Aaron Kane had a wonderful game on the left, applying the two assists for McSweeney and a headed Dempsey goal putting us two up well against the run of play. From that point on, Glens terrorised us but who stepped up? Conor McParland yet again. 25 interceptions, mopping up any attacks that came our way - apart from an 88th minute spine-tingler due to lack of concentration in defending a corner and ensuring late apprehension. Held firm with three more points in the bag.
No surprises to see the centre back partnership plus Kane on the left making the best XI of the week.
It had to be done. Three year deal for McParland.
In other news, Connah's Quay are begging for me to return to save their sinking ship. Boy, that took a whole split second to make my decision on that.
TENNENT'S IRISH CUP
FIFTH ROUND DRAW
LOL. Of course we do!
#389421 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 19
A crazy first half where we overturned an early deficit to defeat struggling Crusaders. Jonathan Mallon may have given a stupid 4th minute penalty away but that was erased 90 seconds later with a close range McFarland goal, replacing Dempsey who dropped out of the starting XI. The tables quickly turned as we were awarded our own spot kick converted smoothly by David Donnelly. Crusaders were passengers thereafter, unable to remove the difference on the scoreline and McParland made it 3-1 to finish them off before a stale second half. Beautiful karma for last season.
#389408 Susie On Tour - #3 Heading Down Under
DNZY
#389178 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 18
Same story as the Glenavon game, but with a little more to offer. Portadown missed two gilt-edged chances that any modern footballer would tuck away, including Port striker Anthony King who missed an open goal from five yards to strike the crossbar. We didn't deliver much quality either in a game Sean Dempsey would love to forget, put clear in on goal with just the keeper to beat but disappointingly sidefooted straight at him. Draw is a fair result, but it does mean we slip to third.
#389177 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP
MATCHDAY 17
Top of the table clash was mis-sold hype in the slurry pit of Stangmore Park. Virtually nothing happened apart from an important save from Dean McDermott in the dying embers to keep our integrity. Neither side deserved the win, allowing a good point for the swifts.
#389117 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
QUARTER FINAL
Scraping through to the semis after a subdued game of chess against the tireless swans of Newington from the NI Championship. It was apparent both sides didn't fancy going all in with neither side capable of delivering anything precise. Took quite a bit of probing to open the scoring, Aaron Kane squeezing one into the bottom left corner to surely send us through. Five minutes later it was back to the drawing board with weak defending and marking to allow McClintock to level the tie once more. Inseparable after the ninety, 16 year old striker Sean Clarke was brought on up top to be the X factor to the game and it was so. Converting in Lee Carlin's cross, Sean Clarke drilled a low shot in to acquire the semi final spot!
A proud moment for the youngster, taking over from Dempsey as Dungannon's youngest ever goalscorer by 132 days.
SEMI FINAL DRAW
*sigh* Of course.
MID-ULSTER CUP
FIRST ROUND DRAW
In other news, Lurgan Celtic are the first step in the Mid Ulster Cup draw. Will we secure a piece of silverware this season?
RESULTS OVERVIEW
Three wins from four is a stellar month from our perspective, given that Cliftonville was always going to be a tricky game. Nice abundance of different scorers this month with Aaron Kane really making a mark to shoehorn his way into the team ahead of Brady. We now relax for two and a half weeks before a whole host of games in a blockbuster December.
LEAGUE TABLE
Exceeding expectations massively, topping the leaderboard despite heavily losing to Cliftonville plus a chunk of our goal difference. Something tells me this'll be the start of a potential downfall. Let's hope not and ride our luck until the end.
#389112 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 16
Goodness, this was a catalogue of disasters as champions Cliftonville degraded us with a 5-0 stomping. Two behind after 32 minutes we still stood a chance, yet Tom Fitzgerald decides to go two footed and leaving us without a leg to stand on with over a half remaining. Denver McCabe provided the collateral damage in the second half, sealing an unanswered hat-trick to well and truly send us back to Earth. Few half chances here and there but we were no match. Not angry, just slightly disappointed.
Haha, talk about timing. Spurs chasing Sean Dempsey - hopefully seeing his 6.2 rating may reduce their avid interest in him.
#389108 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 15
First half demolition job coasted us to victory at the Newry Showgrounds, putting us top and heading the "title contenders" category. Newry's defence were about as sturdy as a cardboard bomb shelter on a rainy day, collapsing in a heap with a five goal deficit at the break - Dempsey with two. Yet again we failed to see the game out to allow Newry a goal back, Montgomery spilling a corner in the build up to Mark Hall scoring to chip some gloss on the win. Why am I complaining though? Easy win.
#389107 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP
MATCHDAY 14
Standard win of our game in hand against Ballymena to keep the chase on. Eventless first half was woken up by a 20 yard stinger by Peter Beggs to nudge us in front at the break. Ballymena woke up after the break and equalised...or so they thought as their celebrations were marred by the linesman flagging for offside against Steven Millar. Second half was all about Stephen McSweeney on right wing, creator and provider to McFarland and then goalscorer to round off a comfortable win. Luke Kerr got a fortunate goal to take away McDermott's clean sheet.
Kane on the left along with McSweeney on the right selected for team of the week.
#389106 The Other Swansea - A Wales Road to Glory
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#388708 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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MATCHDAY 13
At least we end October with a win over lead balloon Institute. Their manager took shots at me pre-game saying that we won't be able to stay up, think they need to look closer to home as they were trash. Dempsey dropped for McFarland and the risk paid off with his replacement netting the opener, Watt with the assist. McSweeney reassured us of victory with a second before half time. Although a freak goal by Worthington briefly unsettled us, the momentum was always with us and Andrew Brady plus a second from McSweeney got the job done. My concerns are conceding cheap goals and an injury time consolation from Doherty were as cheap as they came. May have to look at new keepers in the next transfer window.
A centre back too, Turner ruled out for a couple of weeks.
RESULTS OVERVIEW
Not our finest month, but two narrow defeats to two top sides I can live with. McFarland is picking up where Dempsey left off after recent shoddy performances. Finally back to scoring ways after three dry league games.
LEAGUE TABLE
Glenavon opening up a gap at the top but with a game in hand we'll try to mend that. Now fading down to third but still well in contention for the top half finish we so desperately need.
#388705 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
MATCHDAY 12
Three games without scoring as we slummed to a cheap defeat at the hands of Linfield. Made a dog's dinner of clearing a hoisted ball in, allowing McDowell the pleasure of powering one in before ten minutes elapsed. More shots, more possession and it all meant diddly squat with Dempsey having another shocker. Conjured up only a half chance the entire game and it was unplanned with Kane hitting the bar from a floating cross, i.e. the most generic FM highlight since '14. Hope the wheels aren't coming off our promising season.
#388702 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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MATCHDAY 11
A gusty Monday night game under the floodlights produced an unsurprising stalemate. Ballinamallard will be really disappointed not to come away with more than the solitary point as we were muck going forward. Not even a shot on target for us with Dempsey failing to deliver. Colin Mullan had the only report worthy effort, firing inches wide when he really should have hit the target. Summarises the match down to a tee.
#388701 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
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THIRD ROUND
A nine goal bonanza helped us pump our local rivals Loughgall to reach the quarter finals. Rotation led to Simon McFarland to showcase his poacher instincts, bagging a well deserved second half hat-trick in the process. Turner, Carlin and Brady put the game in a chokehold at the break but did lead to second half complacency. At 4-0, Loughgall smashed and grabbed two back before McFarland's domination. Academy player Sean Clarke assisted the sixth goal from the bench for his strike partner McFarland to confirm the hat-trick but Loughgall fired back late with a screamer from Adam Gibson. Safely through.
QUARTER FINAL DRAW
Championship side Newington YC come up in the last eight.
#388696 [FM17] Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Part Deux)
DNZY
DANSKE BANK PREMIERSHIP
MATCHDAY 10
We take our first L at the Oval with Glentoran outmuscling us with the odd goal and ending our nine league game run without defeat. 18 year old starlet Alan Maguire sunk us with the cliché "sweaty FIFA goal", but mark my words he'll be jetting off to the Premier League soon enough with his ridiculous stats. Huffed and puffed to find an equaliser; McSweeney coming closest with the post to deny him just after the hour. Better side won and can't have many arguments.