Jamie Kenyon came on in the second half and looked lively after his long layoff, he managed to pull a goal back to make it 2-1, only for Shore Villa to net at the other end to make it 3-1. Iggy Mcgraa came on and netted to bring the game to 3-2, but Dock were always struggling to level the score line. On target for Shore Villa were Adam Lea, Tom Kellock and Sam Hunt.

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As early as the 10th minute Reay man forced a save from the keeper as he pushed over a drive from the reigning ‘Golden High Heel’ champion and he was involved in the build up for the first goal as Reay fed Mick Saunders who then danced past a couple of defenders and spotted the arriving Craig Donaghy who slotted left footed past the keeper for 1.0.

On 20 minutes Lee Hammond produced a superb penetrating run from left back, deep into the heart of Towers’ half that was only brought to a halt by a foul on the Wallasian right on the edge of the box. Donno’s resulting free kick was collected safely by the keeper. On the half hour mark Reay man forced another save from the keeper as he blocked with his legs after good link up play from the lively Billy Newman and current Ballon d’Or recipient Ivan Drago.

In the 33rd minute Hammond whipped in a magnificent cross to the far post for Mick Saunders to finish with aplomb and 2.0 it was. A great ball and smart finish…High Sixes all round. Saunders again was prominent as he slipped Reay man in only for the keeper to thwart him again with his legs. Half time and 2.0 it was and a fine half, full of running and excellent link up play.

The second half mirrored the first as Craig Johno struck the bar with the keeper routed to the spot but he made amends two minutes later as he curled one in with his left foot with fine approach play from Saunders and Reay, 3.0 with 52 minutes gone.

Just past the hour mark Billy Newman struck the post after a surging run down the right and two minutes later hit the bar with a scooped effort that deserved better. On the 70th minute Billy was involved in good interplay along with Dono and Johno which resulted in Newman pulling the ball back for Reay man who scuffed his shot past the keeper for 4.0. This sparked jubilant scenes as Reay scored on his return to his homeland for his 3rd goal of the season. I’m sure I spotted a tear in the master marksmans eye as he returned to his mark for the resulting kick off.

In the 75th minute The Goose entered the fray replacing Donno who was off for another 9 minutes on the sunbed at ‘Tantastic’. Goose played up front and showed some deft touches but turned like a double decker bus. The last of the action saw Brunty put the ball into the back of the net and wheel away with a finger raised in celebration only for the ref, the excellent ‘Rocket’ Ronny to disallow presumably for offside.

A word about debutant goalkeeper, Martin Stevenson, who showed good hands, kicked well and commanded his area with authority also Ian Irvine has settled nicely showing a calm neat and tidy approach to his football and are both welcome additions to the squad.

Man of the Match
Ian Brunt, closely followed by the excellent Billy Newman who caused havoc on both flanks.

Report: Mike Stephens
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That said, If anyone thinks that they had a decent game please make themselves known and if anyone wants to point the finger (management excluded) please point because you would get fingers pointed back at you.

As stated, we seemed on top for large periods but conceded goals at the wrong times. Off the top of my head I think they scored early ( first 10 mins ), then added another on the stroke of half-time and it’s looking like ‘ White Cliffs’ at the break. We’ve missed chances….Reay Man….Saunders….Reay Man again. They missed a peno and that seemed to gee us up a bit and Hammond nets one himself near the end and we’re in with half a chance. Lack of discipline crept in towards the end or should I say frustration crept in and we concede a late penalty to end our hopes for another year.

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In an all Houlihan’s Birkenhead Sunday League encounter in Round 2 of the Wirral Premier Cup, Shore Villa put in an excellent display to knock out Dock FC. Carl Clampitt broke the deadlock with a header in the 20th minute and two minutes into the 2nd half Tom Kellock doubled Villa’s advantage. It looked all over when Jon-Paul Wheadon struck from outside the box to make it three, but Dock hit back immediately through Shaun Turner; however their joy was short-lived when Adam Lea pounced on a goalkeeping error to score and despite Lee Hammond scoring a penalty with 18 minutes to go, Shore Villa held firm to claim a 4-2 victory and a place in the last 16.

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The visitors opened on the front foot and dominated most of the first half hour but as the half progressed The Dock got a foot hold and started to play as a team that should have ambition to go a long way in this competition.

Thank God for Brunty ! I Thank our lucky stars that this Gladiator is still with us. Believe you me….offer’s were coming in thick and fast for this world renowned superstar…..Ale Madrid…..Lionel Blairs Showbiz XI…..Brighton and Hove Albion…but No ! Brunty stood firm and gave The Dock another year!

You can have your Hammonds…and you can have your J.K’s and to a certain extent…you can have your Bernaaaaaaaaard’s but in all my years of reporting, I have never come across a phenomenon that is called Ian Brunt.

Granted… all those named scored at crucial times but it was the main man that made sure that The Dock are in the hat for the next round.

Special mention must go to the number 5 who played as though it was yesterday and who knows…. might yet have his day in the sun. Young Billy done well when he came on and it was good to see Craig Donaghy with a Dock shirt on as opposed to a tight fitting vest and leather hot pants such as the clobber that he has been wearing to frequent Garlands recently.

Ross Carragher played well after he auditioned for X factor. He got rejected from ‘Jedward’ after Simon Cowell decided he wanted a duo not a trio. Gary Reay came back with a bang…nodding in from 3 yards…"All’s Gary Reay does is scores goals’’ Whoever made that statement wants knighting ! I’ve spoke to him personally and believe me…. he is finished with the Gay Scene and is fully concentrating on getting back his title of ‘Number 1 Sausage Jockey’ and I am sure he will retain it with ease.

I admit I missed the first couple of goals as Hon Tres. took me away for a half time cuppa….this has to stop as it has an adverse affect on the match report.

In summary we are second in the league after the opening weeks and have a developing squad. The new kit is….. as quoted …’The Dogs’… well done to all concerned and we look forward to more items of kit to come our way.

You may of heard rumours that Brunty and I may get it on at Christmas in the ring at the Vicky Lodge for our Xmas night out? I am currently in training and stand at 52-0. (52 by way of K.0) If we get 50 lads at £20 each to go to Dock coffers…I will make it 53-0. (53 by definite K.0).

Man of the Match…..Ian Brunt.

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It was Mark Head (pictured left)who opened the score for Dock early doors rapidly followed by a Gary Reay brace which gave Dock a 3-0 half time lead. Dock continued to dominate in the second half and it wasn’t long before Craig Donaghy (pictured below)got his first of the season with a well taken effort. Gary Reay got his hat-trick to make it 5-0 before The Tower pulled one back after a mistake by Dock’s keeper Paul Davis.

With other results today going Dock’s way, they now find themselves in the driving seat as far as the league is concerned; they have 4 games remaining which they really need to win if they have any aspirations of retaining the BSFL Premier Division Title.

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The warning signs were evident as early as the 30 second mark when a Bidston forward really should of scored when he shot past the post unopposed. Jamie Kenyon was nearly through just after this but the defender got back to clear and just on 10 minutes, a long ball from the Dock defence was flicked on, firstly by Josh Dures and then Gary Reay to the on running Mark Head who was, for a brief second, in on goal but he delayed his shot and was tackled and the ball ran for a corner.

Undeterred, Bidston put a good move together and as the ball was pulled back, Gully saw his shot crash off the underside of the Dock bar. Seconds later, the Bidston keeper had to be alert to save at Kenyon’s feet and after 20 mins Mick Saunders found the head of Kenyon who’s looping header hit the top of the bar, another cross found Brunty’s Heed (not hard) but his knock down into the six yard box was not capitalised on.

Bidston had a goal disallowed on the 25 minute mark for offside and at this stage of the game the ball was a bouncing bomb on the firm pitch with half chances at both ends and towards half time a Bidston corner was half cleared by Dock to a Bidston player who’s resulting shot was superbly tipped onto the bar and away to safety by ‘The Goose’. A great save at a crucial time. At the break nil – nil it was.

Shaun Byrne invited me for a cup of tea at half time and as we passed Tim ‘nice but dim’ the thought crossed our mind to ‘get him on a form’ such was the lack of energy and desire from the Dock particularly as it was a semi-final and against opponents that you knew what you would get .

As I returned to the game (50/55mins) Brunty had already been hauled off and replaced by Craig Donaghy. This was closely followed by skipper, Gary Reay. He was replaced by Iggy McGraa and he was called into action as Kenyon was brought down on the edge of the area to earn a free kick. Iggy took the free kick and the less said the better.

Goose was in the action on 70 minutes as he got a hand on a shot from 10 yards out that wrong footed him but he reacted sharply to save. 10 minutes later he was at it again as a flicked on header was heading towards the corner of the net until he got down smartly to turn round the post.

10 minutes remained as Bidston attacked down our right and as the ball was crossed, it ended up coming right through to be put in at the far post by Gully. The same player could of made it 2.0 a minute later but he shot wide.

Dock finally had a go in the last 5 minutes as a Head shot was destined for the top corner but took a deflection on the way to take it for a corner kick. From that corner the Bidston keeper punched the ball right of Josh Dures’s head just as he was set to equalise. As the game fizzled out Gully was set free from a through ball and he settled the match when he slotted past the Goose to make the final score 2.0.

A disappointing day at the office for the Dock when to many players did not perform to anything like their potential. The only consolation on the day was that results in the league went our way and we reconvene on Thursday, in the park, against The Brow for a massive league game. Forget this defeat, it’s gone and we cannot do anymore about it. League action Thursday and another semi-final on Sunday. It’s all to play for.

M.o.M. It has to be Paul Davis for a couple of good saves particularly the one just before the break.

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