REPORTS-UNDER 15'S SPONSORED BY GTI RESPONSE
3rd Apr 2005
SYCA League Div 1
Motherwell 7 Dunoon 2
Dunoon travelled to Wishaw with a much depleted squad due to injuries. Despite this they matched last years Lanarkshire champions for most of the game. Motherwell scored first against the run of play but within minutes J.J. scored a deserved equaliser when he fired into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Dunoon then had numerous chances to take the lead but failed to take them. Then a controversial refereeing decision gave Motherwell the lead just before halftime. A cross from the left was caught by keeper Higgins only for the ball to be kicked out of his hands and into the net. The ref made judged that the keeper was not in full control of the ball and awarded the goal.
The second half was only minutes old when Motherwell scored a third this time from a suspiciously offside position. Dunoon didn't give up though and again created chances which should have been converted although J.J. was unlucky when he chipped the ball onto the underside of the bar. Eventually he got his reward when he pulled a goal back half way through the half. Dunoon then switched Blair from defence to midfield in an effort to win the match but this back fired as Motherwell broke away to score their fourth. With time running out the Dunoon boys appeared to give up and Motherwell scored three goals in the last five minutes to make the score more comprehensive.
Team: Higgins, Drysdale, Downie, Kossuth, Wilson (D), Booth, Cardwell, McCutcheon, Johnstone, Ferguson, MacKay.
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19th and 20th Mar 2005
Blackpool Tournament.
The U15's, sponsored by G.T.I. Response, returned victorious from Blackpool at the weekend. Playing in a mini league of eight teams their first opponents were Livingston Hearts. Dunoon cruised through this game with four second half goals to get off to a great start but sadly lost their second game to Beith by a narrow 1-0 score line.
They then had to play Bonnybridge and knowing a victory was vital set about the task and were two up by half-time. Bonnybridge pulled one back in the second half and then the game got a bit nasty when LeHane was injured by a Bonnybridge player's very rash tackle. With the unlucky LeHane requiring the attention of the local Ambulance service one or two of the Dunoon boys sought revenge and good football went by the wayside, with no more goals scored. So the first day saw Dunoon in an excellent position with six points from nine and it was off to the Pleasure Beach for some fun and excitement.
The next day the Dunoon boys were back in football mode and knew that a victory in their first game of the day would see them into the semi-final with four from eight qualifying. Their opponents were Castle Boys and Dunoon took an early lead only for Castle to equalise soon after. Dunoon then simply moved up a gear and cracked home three more goals to ensure a semi-final place.
Next up were Salvesen Colts from Edinburgh and with both these teams through the match was low-key with Salvesen taking the points with a 1- 0 win.
Salvesen and Dunoon then were re-matched in the semi-final, which was a bit more competitive and this time, just before half-time it was Jackson who was injured in a strong fifty-fifty challenge resulting in the Dunoon mid-fielder being taken to hospital to await not only treatment but the result of the match. The match ended goalless and penalties were to decide the result. Dunoon showed the greater composure in this nerve-wracking situation and won by 4-2 to set up a final showdown with Beith who were unbeaten in the competition so far, against Kirriemuir, Oxgangs, Bonnybridge, Dunoon and Livingston Hearts in the qualifier and Bonnybridge again in the semi-final.
The Beith team were thus full of confidence and unwisely threw a few taunts in Dunoon's direction. Dunoon on the other hand had their thoughts on winning colleague Jackson a trophy and ripped right into the Beith lads, playing brilliant free flowing football which saw them take a two goal lead before half-time, both from MacKay and which in truth could have been many more.
Beith recovered a bit from their shell-shock and pulled one back in the second half but Dunoon again came back strongly and could have increased their lead but in the end were delighted with a worthy 2-1 victory and the trophy.
A quick presentation and photo shoot followed by a return to the Scala B.B. to show excellent hosts Arty and Sandra the trophy and then off to the hospital to wait for young Gary and give him his award finished the Blackpool adventure for the Dunoon boys.
Yes, a great weekend with brilliant sunshine and superb organisation by the Dunoon Coaches. The G.T.I sponsored U15's did us all proud, with MacKay scoring more goals on his own than all the other teams put together, a total of seven. Blair, Ferguson, Johnstone and Jackson scored the rest. Third in Holland last year, first in Blackpool this year. Where to next? Watch this space.
Squad: Higgins, Wilson (S), Blair, Downie, Wilson (D), Jackson, Johnstone, Drysdale, Ferguson, LeHane, McCutcheon, McIntyre and MacKay.
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6th Feb 2005
12th Mar 2005
SYCA League Div 1
Dunoon 3 Motherwell Utd. 2
Dunoon returned to winning ways with a hard won victory at home to Motherwell.
Motherwell proved to be a well organised and strong outfit and looked impressive in the early exchanges. So it was a surprise that Dunoon took the lead.
The first goal came when MacKay charged onto a great through pass and tried to lob home, only for the keeper to handle outside the box and earn himself a booking. Blair took the free kick and his firm strike was parried by the Motherwell goalie but only as far as McIntyre who scored.
Motherwell came back strongly though and equalised within minutes when the unfortunate Higgins failed to get down to a low corner and then soon after he lost a second soft goal allowing a less than well hit shot through his legs, which may be said is a very rare occurrence.
Dunoon tried hard to get level but time and again were thwarted by the Motherwell off-side trap, never troubling the away keeper and so trailed at half-time.
The second half was a different story though as Dunoon increased their work rate, dominated the midfield and began to be a little more astute up front. McIntyre should have equalised but shot over from inside the box but you could tell a goal was coming and soon after J.J. beat the off-side trap to shoot home.
Dunoon continued to press forward and their efforts were rewarded when a free-kick, taken by Blair, was flighted perfectly to the far post for MacKay to run onto and restore Dunoon's lead.
Both teams battled hard thereafter and the tackling was robust but never dirty in this enthralling match. Dunoon held on to win, though and if they play like this until the end of the season might yet finish in the top three.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S), Blair, Downie, Wilson (D), Booth, Jackson, Johnstone, Ferguson, McIntyre and MacKay.
Subs: Kossuth, Drysdale McCutcheon.
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6th Mar 2005
SYCA League Div 1
Stenhousemuir 5 Dunoon 3
The Dunoon lads never really got a grip of this match, played at Blairdardie. Although they opened brightly and could have taken an early lead when MacKay chipped the Stennie keeper, his effort went wide of the post.
Thereafter the Stennie team took control of the mid-field and looked the more likely to get the first goal. So it was no surprise when a cross from the left was tucked away by the Stennie centre and a few minutes later they scored a second, again created by their troublesome left winger.
The Dunoon lads were encouraged to put in more effort, especially in the middle of the park where Stennie were dominating, but sadly couldn't raise their game enough to threaten too seriously.
A few firm words at half-time from the Dunoon manager, did see some improvement and quickly after the restart Mackay met a Ferguson cross perfectly to head Dunoon's first. Straight away Stennie restored their two goal lead and then only some great goalkeeping from Higgins kept Dunoon in the game.
Dunoon then began to look more like a match for Stennie and there was great hope for a good result when MacKay knocked home a second goal after their goalie spilled his first attempt. However, just like after their first goal, Stennie hit back from the kick-off. Dunoon plugged away though and should have had a penalty, but this was denied. Then the home team killed off Dunoon's hopes with a fifth goal.
Dunoon weren't entirely finished and MacKay was determined to get his hat-trick which he duly did with a firm shot from inside the box.
So two defeats in a row for Dunoon who now only have slim hopes of a top two finish.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S), Blair, Downie, Wilson (D), Booth, Jackson, Johnstone, Ferguson, McIntyre and MacKay.
Subs: Drysdale.
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12th Feb 2005
SYCA League Div 1
AFC Celtic 6 Dunoon 1
Dunoon travelled to Yoker in good spirits for this fixture against second bottom AFC Celtic. Surely they only had to turn up claim three points and maintain their hopes of the league title. Aye! That'll be right.
Celtic gave our boys a roasting. They showed more determination and desire. They did the simple things well and thoroughly deserved to win.
Dunoon looked promising at the start and drove forward consistently to get the opening goal. The passing wasn't quite accurate enough though and they seemed to forget that punting the ball forward is not the way to break down stuffy defences. So with twenty minutes on the clock and Dunoon failing to trouble the AFC keeper, AFC took advantage when they broke away to score. Within a couple of minutes it was two nil as the stunned Dunoon management looked on in horror as their hopes crumpled.
AFC, delighted with the turn of events, then made it 3-0 before half-time as Dunoon could not find any answers to the problems they were creating for themselves.
A team talk at half-time would surely get the boys back on the ball, back to the passing play of old. Surely they would turn it round in the second-half and start marking tighter the back. Yes, the boys at last started passing and within five minutes had scored a delightful goal when MacKay as usual drove home. The joy was short lived though as AFC scored again to kill the match and disappointingly the Dunoon boys threw in the towel and AFC went on to score two more to make the final score 6-1.
It was a blaze pitch, it was cold, it was windy, their were no nets, the ref had bandy legs, it was a Saturday. No. No excuses, the better team won.
Team: Higgins, Kossuth, Blair, Downie, Wilson (D), Booth, Jackson, Johnstone, Ferguson , McIntyre and MacKay.
Subs: Wilson (S), Drysdale.
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6th Feb 2005
SYCA League Div 1
Livingston 1 Dunoon 2
The Dunoon U15's were under pressure from the start in this away league fixture as Livingston got off to a whirlwind start. The home team dominated the early exchanges and it was no surprise they opened the scoring after five minutes. Dunoon didn't panic though and began to compose themselves and play football.
Gradually the Dunoon lads got a grip of the midfield and started creating chances. They were rewarded with an equaliser as Kenny MacKay scored with a well placed shot after twenty minutes. With their confidence boosted Dunoon continued to press forward and a fine cross from Dominic Ferguson was bundled into the net, again by MacKay. A third goal was on the agenda but never materialised due bad luck, with a J.J shot rattling the post and a few other efforts just going narrowly past the post. So the second period began with Dunoon in front.
Livingston did their best to redress the balance in the second half but found the Dunoon defence hard to break down, with Kossuth having the game of his life at full-back, and resorted to long range efforts which keeper Higgins coped with admirably.
Dunoon should have increased their lead, when MacKay, with space in the box, hit his shot straight at the keeper and J.J. also had chances to score. Still this was an important victory as Dunoon continue to dream of winning the league title.
Team: Higgins, Kossuth, Blair, Downie, Wilson (D), Booth, Jackson, Johnstone, Ferguson , McIntyre and MacKay.
Subs: LeHane.
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29th Jan.. 2005
Wishart Cup
Dunoon 2 Hamilton Accies 1
After a long winter break, due to holidays and bad weather, the Under 15's resumed with a Wishart cup first round match against Hamilton Accies at the Stadium.
The match turned out to be a good contest with both teams hopeful of winning and the game ebbed and flowed throughout. Dunoon created the better chances though and it was no surprise when J.J. hit the first goal for Dunoon mid-way through the first half, when he calmly slid the ball home passed the advancing Accies keeper.
Accies themselves found the Dunoon defence in good form and never really troubled keeper Higgins in the first half.
After the restart Dunoon again had most of the play but missed the finishing touch of the absent MacKay, Dunoon's top scorer. They did finally get a second when J.J. scored again latching onto a fine pass from Wilson and flicking the ball into the net after 10 minutes.
At this point the Dunoon lads, as per usual, assumed the tie was won and relaxed too much allowing Accies to take control of the midfield and within minutes a strong run from an Accies forward resulted in a last minute tackle in the box, which was correctly adjudged a penalty. Higgins in goal produced a fine save however and Blair was first to the rebound and knocked the ball past for a corner. From the corner Accies scrambled the ball home to pull back to one down and the contest was back on.
Again it was Dunoon who looked the likelier team to score but poor finishing kept Accies in the game and they almost snatched a late equaliser. Dunoon however deserved their win and resume league duties away to Livingston this week.
Team: Higgins, Kossuth, Blair, Wilson (S) , Downie, Jackson, Wilson (D), Booth, Johnstone, Ferguson and McIntyre.
Subs: LeHane and McCutcheon.
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12th Dec. 2004
SYCA League Div 1
Dunoon 4 Rossvale 1
Dunoon gained revenge for their recent defeat to Rossvale with a superb second half display which saw them score four goals without reply .
The first half was a close fought affair with neither team dominating. Dunoon struggled to get fluidity into their play and scoring opportunities were rare. Rossvale broke the deadlock, though, with a terrific volley from an in-swinging corner almost bursting the net on the half-hour mark. Dunoon then had a strong penalty claim turned down when Ferguson was sent tumbling in the box but the half-time whistle saw them trailing.
Dunoon started the second half with increased confidence and began passing the ball about more. This improved their scoring chances and five minutes into the half Dominic Ferguson equalised, following a good interchange with Kenny MacKay, by knocking the ball past the Rossvale keeper and in off the post. Within ten minutes MacKay gave Dunoon the lead when he bundled the ball home at the third attempt. Ferguson was then denied a second penalty claim, which might have finished the contest, but with Dunoon continuing to press forward the next goal was not far away and top scorer MacKay was on hand to shoot home from eight yards. In the closing minutes Graeme Blair completed the goal tally, cracking home a free-kick from the corner of the box.
All the boys did well but Kossuth, especially, played a blinder at right back, Downie and Blair were solid and composed at the heart of the Dunoon defence and MacKay continued his usual scoring form.
Team: Higgins, Kossuth, Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Booth, Cardwell, Jackson, Wilson (S), Ferguson, MacKay.
Sub: McCutcheon.
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6th Dec. 2004
SYCA League Div 1
Dunoon 0 Milngavie 5
Dunoon suffered their second defeat in a row as injuries to first team regulars continue to take their toll on the small squad.
Milngavie dominated the first half as Dunoon struggled to get a grip of the midfield and it was no real surprise when they scored after 15 minutes when a superb diagonal pass let in their right winger to strike home.
Dunoon's defence were working hard to keep the home side in the match and so there was no further scoring in the first half.
A switch of tactics after the break seemed to pay dividends as Dunoon began to be more adventurous and had some decent scoring chances but the Milngavie keeper was in sparkling form, especially when he parried a powerful shot from J.J. round the post, but just as it seemed Dunoon would get an equaliser Milngavie scored against the run of play.
This appeared to knock the stuffing out of the Dunoon team and Milngavie scored a further three goals to secure the match.
It was a hard fought game and tempers flared near the end with both sides being reduced to 10 men after an altercation involving Alan Booth of Dunoon. Milngavie were lucky to not lose another player after a punch was thrown at Stephen Wilson of Strachur which somehow the ref. failed to spot, all and all not a good day.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S) , Downie, Jackson, Wilson (D), Booth, Cardwell, McCutcheon, Johnstone, Ferguson, MacKay.
Sub: Kossuth.
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28th Nov. 2004
SYCA League Div 1
Rossvale 6 Dunoon 2
This was a bad day for the U15's as their unbeaten league run crashed spectacularly in Bishopbriggs. Admittedly they were without a full squad through injuries and some dodgy refereeing hampered their play but at the end they were well beaten.
The first period was fairly even with no real scoring chances created until Rossvale scored after 25 minutes but this was soon cancelled out by a superb Blair goal when he beat 3 players on the edge of the box and rifled home. Dunoon's joy was short lived though as Rossvale soon regained the lead and then extended this further after the Ref gave an extremely dodgy penalty just before half-time.
This upset the Dunoon lads so much that they never managed to produce any flowing football in the second half and lost a further three goals before MacKay nodded home in the dying minutes. A bad day all round but special mention to Steven Wilson of Strachur for a great performance on the day that sadly his team mates, with the exception of Downie, failed to emulate.
Team: Higgins, Ferguson, Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Booth, Cardwell , Wilson (S), Jackson, MacKay, Kossuth.
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14th Nov. 2004
SYCA League Div 1
Dunoon 5 Stenhousemuir 4
This was the third time this season that these two teams had met and Dunoon were determined to get a win having lost and then drawn in the previous encounters.
This determination was demonstrated in the very first minute as Dunoon scored twice, with Kenneth MacKay and then John Johnstone shooting home to give Dunoon an amazing start to the game. Stenhousemuir are an excellent side and fought back from this early setback, coming close with a shot cannoning off the post and then another smacking off the bar and applying continual pressure on the Dunoon defence. Just when it looked that Dunoon would concede a goal it was they who scored again when J.J. took the ball down the right and hit a magnificent shot across goal and into the top corner in the twentieth minute.
Stennie don't know when to quit though and eventually got a reward for their efforts to make it 3 -1 but soon after MacKay scored again to give Dunoon an amazing 4-1 half-time lead.
Dunoon knew that Stenhousemuir would hit them hard from the re-start and scrapped furiously for every ball with Downie in particular having a great game and Higgins making a great double save to deny Stennie but eventually the goal came and was soon followed by another as Stennie clawed back the deficit to one.
Then MacKay took on the away defence single handed to score his hat-trick and gave Dunoon a two goal cushion which they certainly needed as Stennie battled back again and with fifteen minutes left they scored a fourth. Dunoon then brought on Kossuth to help the tiring Dunoon defence with Booth getting a well earned rest and they held out for a magnificent victory to give them maximum points in the league so far.
Team: Higgins, Ferguson, Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Booth, Cardwell , Wilson (S), Jackson, MacKay, Johnstone.
Subs: Kossuth.
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7th Nov. 2004
Scottish Cup: Rnd. 3.
Dunoon 1 Cumbernauld Colts 2
Dunoon played their their Scottish Cup tie on the Black Park on Sunday. Incredibly this was their first match at the stadium this season and it turned out to be a very entertaining game. Cumbernauld were worthy opponents, being last season's Central Area champions and undefeated thus far this season, so Dunoon new they were in for a tough match.
Still, Dunoon were in confident mood, as they themselves had not lost for five games and attacked from the first whistle and really should have scored an early goal but the Colts keeper blocked MacKay's effort. The home side maintained the pressure and MacKay brought out another good save from the Colt's number one. The goal was not long in coming though and a long throw from Wilson near the corner flag was nodded home by Jackson to give the home team the lead after 6 minutes.
Cumbernauld were no easy opponents, however, and gradually began to get control of the mid-field from where they began to mount their own attacks. With ten minutes left of the first half Cumbernauld won a corner on the left which was delivered across the six yard line and the unfortunate Cardwell inadvertently headed in for an own goal.
With the teams level at half-time it was time for a few words of encouragement from the home manager to press forward for a winner but at the restart it was Colts who caught Dunoon on the hop and scored straight from the kick-off.
Dunoon were not too disheartened by this and set out to pull level. Cumbernauld were well organised and strong at the back though and denied the Dunoon boys any clear scoring chances and although Dunoon dominated they could not breakthrough and with time running out resorted to a few long range shots, one of which they almost scored from when a Booth effort was palmed on to the face of the bar and then cleared.
With minutes to go the Colts had their one chance of the second half thwarted by a good tackle from Downie on the edge of the six yard box but this missed chance was not to prove costly as the Colts held out to claim victory.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S), Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Johnstone, Cardwell , Jackson, Booth, Ferguson, and MacKay.
Subs: McCutcheon and Kossuth
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17th Oct 2004
Scottish Cup: Rnd. 2.
Coatbridge Accies 0 Dunoon 2
The DYFL 15s were away to Coatbridge Accies in the second round of Scottish Cup on Sunday. Playing on a pitch that would have made a great dry ski slope the Dunoon lads were literately facing an uphill struggle from the start. However they quickly adjusted to the unusual conditions and set about their work in a very professional manner.
The Dunoon boys were taking the game to their opponents at every opportunity, but found it hard work traipsing up the hill to the goal area. They did create the first scoring chances however and it was no surprise when they scored the opener after Wilsy collected the ball inside the box and struck home. His shot was partially blocked by the defence but carried enough power to squirm in at the post.
Coatbridge then came close when they broke away but Dunoon breathed a sigh when their centre's shot cannoned off the bar, and soon after Dunoon increased their lead when MacKay slammed home a loose ball from 12 yards. Next McIntyre was unlucky when he also hit the bar from 20yards and the ball bounced out for a bye, but Dunoon were delighted to get to half-time with a two goal cushion.
The second half was a more pedantic affair, Dunoon looking tired after their first half climbing expedition, and the Coatbridge lads not quite good enough to take advantage. Thus the game became bogged down in the middle of the park and the Dunoon defence were never really under pressure. Indeed Dunoon could have had more goals when they were denied a penalty for a push in the box, Wilsy hit the bar again and MacKay drove a shot straight at the keeper from six yards.
Considering the conditions and the fact Dunoon were missing some regulars due to holidays and thus had no subs, this was a magnificent result for the boys, who are hoping that they might get a home game in the next round for a change.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S), Downie, Blair, Kossuth, Booth, Wilson (D), Cardwell , Ferguson, MacKay, and McIntyre.
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26th Sept 2004
SYCA League Div 1
St Andies 0 Dunoon 2
Dunoon opened their Division 1 campaign with a local derby against rivals St. Andrew's from Greenock. These teams were both involved in the old Greenock League since they were 10yrs old and it was good to renew old acquaintances with them now that St. Andies have joined the SYCA league also.
The game itself was a hard fought affair with a typical derby atmosphere. St. Andies were first to threaten when a firm shot rattled Dunoon's crossbar, but Dunoon soon gained the upperhand and Johnstone opened the scoring in the first half to continue his run of goals this season.
Dunoon were always in control of the game and after their early flourish St. Andies never really threatened the Dunoon goal and it was no surprise when MacKay scored a second in the second half to give Dunoon a well deserved victory.
The game boiled over at this point and the ref had to take firm action to cool tempers, resulting in a St. Andies player being sent off for two bookable offences near the end of the game.
So a good start to Dunoon's league campaign in what was forecast as a tricky fixture for them and the lad's now look forward confidently to the rest of the season.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S), Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Jackson, Cardwell , Booth, Johnstone, MacKay, and McIntyre.
Subs: Kossuth and McCutcheon.
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19/09/04
Scottish Cup Round 1
Blue Star 2 Dunoon 4
Dunoon U15's travelled to Shettleston to face Blue Star in the Scottish Cup on Sunday and put in a terrific performance to secure a place in the next round.
The boys were in good heart and took the game to their opponents from the start. They managed to get an early lead to relieve any nerves, when a firm shot was spilled by the Blue Star keeper and MacKay pounced to score the first. Ten minutes later Kenny scored again in similar circumstances and then J.J made it three within twenty minutes to put the Dunoon lads in a very comfortable position.
At this point they began to get over-confident and a little careless at times and Blue Star took advantage and scored after an error in the Dunoon Defence. This in turn gave them fresh impetus and they began to make a game of it at last.
The second half saw Dunoon regain the initiative and they soon scored again, when McIntyre shot home from a good pass across the six yard line. Dunoon were rampant by this time and only some slack finishing and bad luck, especially from Cardwell, whose well struck twenty yarder hit the post, stopped them from extending their lead.
It was Blue Star who then scored the goal of the game when their winger whipped a vicious corner straight into Dunoon's net.
Dunoon then decided to calm things down and settle for containment, comfortably playing out the remaining twenty minutes to earn a great away victory.
The whole team played very well as a unit with no failures but congratulations to Dom Ferguson who received a trophy for man of the match from Blue Star officials
Team: Higgins,
Wilson (S), Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Jackson, Cardwell , Ferguson, Johnstone,
MacKay, and McIntyre.
Sub: Booth .
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12th Sept 2004
SYCA League Cup
Stirling Albion 1 Dunoon 3
Dunoon secured their Division 1 status with a good away win against Stirling Albion. After a poor opening to the season, the boys have finally gelled and with match fitness restored are back to last season's form at last. They did not get it all their own way in this game, having to come back from losing a goal in the first half, but a penalty from Graeme Blair cancelled out the Stirling lead before the break.
The second half was more like it, with Dominic Ferguson and Kenneth MacKay hitting a goal apiece to give Dunoon a comfortable win. Special mention to the defence for a much improved performance of late and especially to Gary Jackson, who adapted very well to his new roll in the heart of it.
Team: Higgins, Wilson (S), Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Jackson, Cardwell , Ferguson, Johnstone, MacKay, and McIntyre.
Subs: Booth, .
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5th Sept 2004
SYCA League Cup
Dunoon 2 Stenhousemuir 2
The return leg against Stennie proved a much closer affair than the previous six-nil drubbing in the opening fixture. Dunoon knowing what to expect set out their game plan and hit hard from the start, putting their opponents under pressure and man marking the Stenhousemuir centre whose pace, power and skill had been devastating in the earlier game. However the centre was still hard to cope with and he managed to elude the home defence and scored to give the visitors the lead.
Yet Dunoon were not disheartened and were otherwise matching their opponents and got a deserved equaliser when McIntyre shot home in a crowded box, only for the elusive Stennie centre to set up a tap in for his team to restore their lead.
Dunoon were soon pressing again, however, and gradually gained control, although Higgins in goal was called on to make a couple of great saves. Then everyone, including the Stennie players, thought Dunoon had equalised when a Wilson free-kick ended up in the net but with the teams organising for a centre, the Ref was seen to have chalked off the goal indicating the kick was indirect and nobody had touched it on the way in.
Dunoon dominated the second half, but were lucky to escape losing a second when Downie again saved on the line, but this was to be the only real scare and J.J finally equalised. Dunoon then tried their best to get a winner but in the end were content with a well earned draw. No mean feat considering the previous encounter.
Team: Higgins, McCutcheon, Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Jackson, Cardwell , Ferguson, Johnstone, MacKay, and McIntyre.
Subs: Booth, Wilson (S).
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31st Aug 2004
SYCA League Cup
Dunoon 3 Stirling Albion 4
Relegated to the blaze pitch at the school due to the Cowal Highland Gathering, Dunoon found it hard to cope with the conditions and lost a soft goal when the bounce beat Downie and the Stirling centre slotted home. The boys then got a deserved equaliser when J.J. fired home. Stirling were proving tough opponents and only an amazing goal line clearance from Downie kept them from restoring their lead. This was only delayed by minutes, however, as Stirling edged in front prior to half-time.
Dunoon started the second half aggressively and soon equalised again through J.J. and with Cameron Cardwell, newly restored to the midfield, helping match Stirling for power. Stirling then went in front again but Dunoon were pressing hard for an equaliser and J.J. squandered two good chances, but Stirling inevitably scored on the break to extend their lead to two.
The home team unlike before were showing a fair bit of determination and Blair gave them a chance with a great shot into the top left hand corner.
The boys then battled hard for the equaliser but the final whistle cut short their efforts. Nevertheless a much more spirited display from Dunoon, and if kept up their rewards will surely follow.
Team: Higgins, McCutcheon, Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Trialist, Cardwell , Ferguson, Jackson, MacKay, McIntyre.
Subs: Booth.
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29th Aug 2004
SYCA League Cup
Stenhousemuir 6 Dunoon 0
Dunoon suffered from the absence of match practice in this opening game of the season. A calamitous first half saw the boys well beaten.
Team: Higgins, Kossuth, Downie, Blair, Wilson (D), Wilson (S), Booth, Ferguson, Jackson, MacKay, and Johnstone.
Subs: McIntyre and McCutcheon