Dundela 3 Fivemiletown Utd 4

Fivemiletown withstood a second half comeback from Premier Intermediate League side Dundela to secure their place in Round Five of the Tennent’s Irish Challenge Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday.
A storming first half display saw Scott Robinson’s in form side go in at the break with a 4-1 advantage after goals from Ricki Carroll, Matty Callaghan and two Davy Little free kicks. 
The home side though responded with two goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half but Fivemiletown displayed great resolve as they dug in to hold on to their slender advantage and secure their spot in the draw for the next round.
Manager Robinson was in no doubt that this result is all down the work that has been put in by all concerned.
“It’s as simple as this, hard work pays off,” said Robinson. “I’m extremely proud of everyone involved, but it’s been like this all season. I’ve to pay particular tribute to the support. They were unreal.”
“We prepared properly for the game, we had a gameplan set out and I have to say that the boys were absolutely outstanding.
“Even when Dundela got it back to 4-3, we raised our game and we were the more threatening over the last half an hour,” added Robinson.
Next up in the cup for Fivemiletown is a meeting with Loughgall and Robinson stresses that his side won’t fear anyone.
“Certainly, if you do not get one of the big guns, then you want a side that you have a chance of beating and getting through to the next round and although Loughgall are a good side, we won’t be afraid of them.”
Fivemiletown made four changes from the side that had beaten Newington in the previous round but the early exchanges saw Dundela try to build from the back with their ‘keeper feeding full backs and centre backs at every opportunity. 
However, this played into Fivemiletown’s hands as United pressed high from the first minute and with ten minutes on the clock the visitors went on to grab the lead.
Possession was won high up the pitch and the excellent Glen Clarke fired in a low effort which the keeper parred into the path of Ricki Carroll who rolled the ball home left footed to give Fivemiletown a dream start.
They say that you are at your most vulnerable though right after you score and this proved to be the case as Dundela responded within 60 seconds to level proceedings. A left footed corner was met six yards out and a shot bounced into the floor and looped agonisingly over Matty Quinn and into the net.
Robinson’s side though were soon back on the front foot and what followed was the goal of the game. A good build up down the left resulted in Chrissy McDowell firing in a superb left footed cross and Matty Callaghan stormed in bravely at the back post to power home his header having outjumped the keeper.
Chances were coming thick and fast at this stage and Dundela simply couldn’t get out of their own half for long periods. Town won a free kick 35 yards out on 30 minutes, and former Lisbellaw man Little stepped up to drive a ferocious effort over the wall and high into the next for 3-1.
And it was to get even better for Fivemiletown 60 seconds later as they bagged a fourth goal of a brilliant first half. ‘Town won another free kick in a central area, this time 40 yards out. Little stepped up, and deliver a dipping free kick which skipped off the wet surface and into the corner and it was 4-1.
Dundela’s only remaining chance of the half came when a free kick was headed wide on 43 minutes.
Robinson warned his players at the interval that Dundela would throw everything they had at Fivemiletown in an effort to get back into the game and that’s exactly what happened.
They bombarded the Fivemiletown rearguard with long balls, and initially it worked as two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half saw Dundela right back in the game at 3-4. 
However, for the next 15 minutes the Valley men dug in. Dundela missed a couple of headers before a spectacular overhead kick flew wide on the hour. Two minutes later and Paul Baron forced a save from the home keeper when well placed.
As the last half hour kicked in, affairs got feisty. Carson came on for the retiring Clarke, and his ability to run with the ball took some pressure off the Fivemiletown back four who were superbly marshalled by Barry Anderson. 
Chances were at a premium in the second half but with six minutes to go Baron used his strength to retain possession in the box and he fed the onrushing Carroll who strike was tipped over. Baron then went close when he met a Little cross but the home keeper made a terrific reaction save.
The five minutes of added on time signalled by the official seemed like a lifetime for the away side but they saw it out and the final whistle was greeted with scenes of celebration as Fivemiletown join the big boys in the hat for the next round of the competition.
It is back to the league though this week and Robinson is keen that his charges put the excitement of last week quickly behind them as they get ready to take on Windmill Stars.
“We have to put this to bed and move on. We have two big home games in the league coming up and we need to now concentrate on them as we want to push on in the league. 
“We have Windmill Stars on Saturday and they are a good side so we are going to have to be at our best,” he commented.