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PREMIER CHAMPIONS

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Philip Pedlow, captain of Tandragee Rovers, lifts the Premier Cup after his side defeated Dollingstown 1-0 in the final at Banbridge Town’s Crystal Park. Tandragee’s victory was sealed with a first half injury time wonder strike from Jamie Rooney.

TANDRAGEE Rovers were crowned Premier Cup champions last week.
And what a final it was against Dollingstown in front of a bumper crowd at Banbridge Town's Crystal Park.
The deciding goal came in first half injury time from defender Jamie Rooney with a strike worthy of winning any final.
“It was a hard-fought cup final and it was always going to take a wonder goal to win it," said Tandragee manager Stephen McBride.
“I'm absolutely delighted to get another trophy, not only for myself and the players, but the supporters and all those who work so hard behind the scenes at the club.
“That's three trophies for us throughout 2011 and winning silverware is a nice habit to get into."
Tandragee captain Philip Pedlow said he was delighted to have lifted the cup and that the win was down to an all-round team effort.
“It was a great day out for everyone associated with the club and all the players thoroughly enjoyed the final.
“It was a tough game and it took everyone in the team to do a job.
“But in the end, I think we deserved it."

A Rooney wonder strike seals cup win
Tandragee Rovers ...1. Dollingstown ...0.

JAMIE Rooney was the hero for Tandragee Rovers in the final of the Premier Cup in Banbridge last Tuesday.
His wonder strike in first half injury time was the only goal in what was an action-packed finale in front of a bumper crowd.
And if that goal had been scored by Wayne Rooney, it would have been screened right across the world.
It was a spectacular goal - one worthy of winning any cup final - and it was more than Tandragee deserved despite a late onslaught from Dollingstown.
But it was Dollingstown who came close to taking the lead in the opening minute when Duncan Stoddard released Adam Walker down the left.
But his cross to the far post was headed over the top by striker Ashley Gregg.
Rovers had a half chance on 12 minutes when Philip Pedlow's long throw found Gerd Magee on the edge of the box, but his shot was blocked.
Four minutes later Rovers went close again when Chris Jeffers crossed the ball in from the right but Dollingstown 'keeper Ryan McConville made a smart save at his near post to deny Mark Bicker.
Two minutes later the action switched back to the other end and Walker tried his luck from 25 yards but his effort was well over Jamie McArdle's goals.
Both teams were well matched in the opening 20 minutes with neither side afraid to attack.
On 23 minutes McConville was called back into action when Rovers used a training ground move from a free kick. Scott Walker's shot was just wide of the far post but Jeffers was able to keep the ball in play, only to see his shot saved.
Three minutes later brought the best move of the half and only an excellent double save from McArdle prevented Dollingstown taking the lead.
Dollingstown did well to work the ball into the box and it took a magnificent save from McArdle to deny Adam Montgomery before regaining his feet to make another stop, this time from Stoddard.
Rovers went close on 35 minutes when Nial Flemming's free kick was only punched marginally clear, some ping-pong resulted in the box before Jeffers' shot from the edge of the box was just over.
Four minutes later Rovers went close again when Flemming made a quick turn on the edge of the box but saw his effort go just wide.
Tandragee's pressure in the final stages of the opening period paid off as the game entered first half injury time - and what a goal it was!
Rooney found himself tight to the side line 30 yards from goal, the young defender spotted McConville slightly off his line and put in a pin-point shot, curling the ball past the reaches of McConville.
Both sides really got stuck into each other in the second half and some of the tackles that were flying in were not for the faint hearted.
And the chances continued to flow, with both goalkeeper's having to make some cracking saves at times.
Tandragee had the first chance of the second half nine minutes after the restart when Paul Greenaway's glancing header from a Walker free kick was just wide.
Four minutes later Bicker had a half chance from the edge of the box but his shot was always going the wrong side of the post.
On the hour mark Bicker's corner was saved against the crossbar and Dollingstown immediately broke upfield, with Gregg's shot well saved by McArdle.
Six minutes later Dollingstown went close again when Gregg's corner was headed back across the mouth of goals.
And moments later McArdle prodcued the save of the game when he somehow managed to claw Andy Hamilton's goal-bound header right off the line.
Eight minutes from time Greenway raced down the left for Rovers but Cecil Corbett was unable to get a clean connection on the cross.
Tandragee were denied a second goal on 85 minutes when Flemming's header from a Rooney cross was well saved by McConville.
But for the last five minutes Tandragee were living on the edge as Dollingstown went for broke.
And they almost had an equaliser in the last minute when substitute Andy Uprichard's free kick was only parried but McArdle recovered to save from Gregg.
And in the fourth minute of injury time it was Tandragee skipper Pedlow who saved the day when he made a block right on the line to secure his side's victory.
Tandragee Rovers: Jamie McArdle, Philip Pedlow, Jamie Rooney, Colin Bingham, Gary Whiteside, Nial Flemming, Chris Jeffers, Scott Walker, Paul Greenaway, Mark Bicker, Gerd Magee.
Subs: Graham Mitchell, Aaron Greenaway, Gary Magee, Cecil Corbett, Stephen Copes.
Booked: Chris Jeffers, Scott Walker, Mark Bicker.
Dollingstown: Ryan McConville, Gareth King, Adam Walker, Mark Savage, Jonny McAdam, Aaron Moffett, John Banks, Andy Hamilton, Adam Montgomery, Ashley Gregg, Duncan Stoddard.
Subs: Richard Thompson, Andy Uprichard, Chris Wing, Michael Denver, Gary Duke.
Booked: Mark Savage, Jonny McAdam, Aaron Moffett, John Banks.

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