Dromore Ams Seconds continue impressive run with second-half revival

The first opportunity fell to the home side. Marcel Beattie’s surging run from midfield culminated in a rather unfortunate handball off the Civil Service centre-half.

However, the resultant penalty from Smyth, drilled straight down the middle, was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Despite this setback, Beattie continued to provide the spark for Dromore.

On the brink of half-time, Dromore’s defence failed to deal with a fizzing free-kick, which fell favourably to the Civil Service forward, whose low drive managed to find its way through the arms of McKinstry. Moments later, Smyth spurned a great chance to level the scores by over-elaborating while the Civil Service defence was outnumbered.

However, Dromore emerged to dominate the second period. Stuart Curran provided the equaliser with an inspired piece of improvisation: his overhead kick from an almost impossible angle found the far corner of the net. Soon after, Beattie was once again felled in the box, only for Smyth to pass up the advantage by failing to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one.

However, Smyth atoned for his earlier misses by directing home a bullet header from Curran’s inch-perfect delivery to take the lead. Turning the screw, Beattie made it 3-1 to cap an impressive display.

Dromore’s assertive second-half performance stands them in good stead for this week’s important fixture away to second-place St. Oliver Plunkett.