Dixie Robinson's Calm Approach as Dungannon Swifts' Unbeaten Streak Ends Against Crusaders
Crucial Goals Secure Home Win for Crues
Goals from Finley Thorndike and Fraser Bryden in either half helped the Crues secure just their second home league win of the season. This victory was a significant moment for the team, showing their resilience and determination on the pitch.
Swifts Maintain Strong Form in December
The Swifts maintained an unbeaten record throughout December, winning four and drawing one of their five Premiership matches during that period. This strong performance solidified their position in the top-half of the league, showcasing their consistency and ability to compete at a high level.
Manager's Thoughts on the Match
After the Seaview setback, the manager shared his insights on the match:
THOUGHTS ON THE MATCH?
"I thought particularly in the first half, I thought we probably had five or six really good chances to score. The big man (Musa Dibaga) in nets pulled off a few good saves. We hit the post and we got punished at the other end.
"We felt at half-time, to be fair to Crusaders, I think they could have got a second one close to the end of the half. We were sort of happy then to get in at 1-0, thinking we can tweak things a bit and hopefully if we continue to play we would get more opportunities.
"But I don't think we reached the same levels in the second half, to be honest.
"We didn’t change much at half-time in terms of tactics, but just maybe hoped we would show a little bit more composure in the opposition box and maybe be a bit more clinical with the chances we had.
"I didn't think we created as much in the second half, but once you concede early in the second half, for it to go 2-0, it's an uphill task.
"To be fair to the lads, over the last five or six weeks they've done the business, they've accumulated 13 out of 15 points over December.
"We have a few tired bodies but so has everyone. We can't be too hard on them, it's a disappointing result but they've done really well in the past while."
Penalty Dispute – Should There Have Been a Penalty?
SHOULD YOU HAVE HAD A PENALTY (FOUL ON BRANDON BERMINGHAM)?
"We felt it was a stonewall penalty to be honest when Brandon gets the other side of the defender.
"If it's anywhere else on the pitch it's a free-kick, so we don't see why it wasn't a penalty.
"At 2-1 with 10 or 15 minutes to go, it probably gives us something to go for and maybe makes life a little bit more difficult for the Crues."
Impact of Missing Key Players
MISSING KEY PLAYERS – RESULT OF BUSY PERIOD?
"Yeah, it is.
"We had Danny Wallace and Tom Maguire suspended as well today, but listen, we're no different than anybody else.
"Everybody's got their injury worries, that's part and parcel of the game.
"A young bench today which is exciting because we've three or four teenagers there. Eoghan Liggett came on towards the end at 17 and I thought for the 15 minutes he played he done really well.
"We're always hoping to bring good young players through at the club and that's what we're about.
"The kids train with the first team once a week. It's been really good for them and it's benefitting them all. We can see improvement and development all the time. Looking forward, we've still got plenty of talent coming through at the club."
