The Dock Association Football Club

Dock AFC would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of one of our founder members, Billy Tait, who sadly passed away this morning.

Dock were drawn away for the second successive Cheshire Cup tie-this time to local and divisional rivals Rock Ferry. The game lived up to all its pre-match promise, with both sides contributing to an enthralling ‘blood and thunder’ cup tie, which was aided by the sticky pitch condition at Levers.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, when Michael McGraa failed to convert a sharp chance created from good work by Dean Thomas and Mark Head on 5 minutes. Kynan Mason was then pulled up for offside when clear and Dean Thomas shot narrowly over as Dock took the game to the hosts.

Rock Ferry then countered on 10 minutes and Atkinson forced a good save from Martyn Stevenson in the Dock goal. Five minutes later, Atkinson again had a chance, only to shoot over the bar when well positioned.

The first yellow card was produced by the referee, when a heavy challenge on Carl Clampitt on the half way line resulted in Dysart being cautioned for Rock Ferry. Dock continued to probe for an opening goal and McGraa again went close after a fine passing move involving Irvine, Head and Mason.

Atkinson, who looked like Rock Ferry’s best bet for a goal then looped a header goalwards, only for Stevenson to comfortably gather. A minute later on 35 minutes, Dock swept upfield to take the lead through McGraa, when Duckers and Mason combined on the left to set up the Dock centre forward for a crisp finish.

Mark Head then had a shot saved by Rock Ferry ‘keeper Blackburn and McGraa then had another effort saved just before the break, as Dock looked to force home their superiority.

HT: Rock Ferry Social 0-1 Dock.

As has happened in previous matches, Dock were caught cold early in the second half, when Rock Ferry equalized within two minutes of the re-start. Dock captain, Paul Byrne was penalized for a foul on Rock midfielder Paul Jones and after Stevenson failed to deal with the free kick, Craig Cairns scored for the home side. Mark Head, who was struggling with a leg injury then came off to be replaced by Gareth Craven.

The game was now ebbing and flowing from end to end and Stevenson made a fine double save from Paul Jones and then ex-Docker, Luke Hughes. Kynan Mason then took full advantage for Dock on 55 minutes, when Michael McGraa did brilliantly to control a throw in won by Craven to the by-line to pull back a pass for Mason to hit home via a deflection.

Dock’s joy was short lived however, when on the hour mark, Craig Cairns scored his and Rock Ferry’s second when although looking a mile offside, was allowed to go on, round Stevenson and slot home for 2-2. Dean Thomas then had a shot for Dock cleared off the line as both teams tried to win the tie in normal time. Paul Byrne was then shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Cairns as tired legs and minds took over. Rock Ferry substitute Charles was also yellow carded for a foul on Steve Owen.

Mike McGraa then hit the outside of the post on 80 minutes after Mason set him up after getting the beating of Rock left back, Belpin, who up until then had enjoyed a fine game. It was no surprise that a winner was to come and the hero turned out to be Gareth Craven on 84 minutes for the Dock. He turned home from a Mason cross, after a fine move started by Ian Irvine at right back.

There was still some heart in the mouth moments for the away fans as Rock Ferry piled on the pressure for an equalizer. Paul Jones again went close but the Dock defence held out with Ian Brunt a stand out performer, making good interceptions and last ditch blocks when needed.

Dock will now meet Stockport side Straw FC in the quarter final, the tie will be played at The Memorial Ground on Sunday 4th January 2015 (full quarter final draw).

FT: Rock Ferry 2-3 Dock.

Dock. 4-4-2 (with substitutes in brackets).
Stevenson, Irvine, Bryne, Brunt, Duckers, Mason, C. Clampitt, Owen, Thomas, Head (Craven), M. McGraa.

REPORT: Peter Warburton
PHOTOS: Chris Stading

More Photos

Cup holders Dock were soundly beaten at the Memorial Ground by their Wallasey Premier League visitors and so relinquished the Wirral Premier crown.

Although Dock started brightly enough, zipping the ball around on the fine surface, it was Great Float that drew first blood, when striker and captain, James Harris shot past Martyn Stevenson in the Dock goal, to give the visitors and early lead.

Paul Byrne then had a snapshot fire just wide, on 10 minutes, as Dock tried to counter straight away. The home side then suffered a setback, as Tommy Wingfield had to leave the pitch injured, after an earlier tackle left him struggling at left back, his place being taken by Dean Thomas. Dock forward Ian McGraa was prominent in all Dock’s forward moves, and he set up decent chances for Steve Owen and Rob Whyte, neither of which could be taken.

Great Float almost doubled their lead on the half hour, when a mix up in the Dock defence saw Martyn Stevenson stranded in no man’s land and well off his line. Float forward Robbie Black then chipped the ball toward the Dock goal, only for Steve Duckers to make a miraculous goal line clearance.

Five minutes later, Dock took full advantage of the earlier let off, when Steve Duckers crossed from an overlapping right wing run to put a pin-point ball onto the head of Dean Thomas, who buried the chance from 8 yards out. This was the second game in a row where ‘super sub’ Thomas had come from the bench to score.

Thomas then went close to giving Dock the lead after a fine one-two with Ian McGraa, but the visitors came closest to regaining the lead just before the break when Harris fired narrowly over.

HT: Dock 1-1 Great Float.

As in the first half, Dock were caught cold from the re-start, when the Great Float captain James Harris, scored his second goal, after rounding Martyn Stevenson, when put clear after the Dock defenders were caught square. Despite the defenders appeals for offside, the referee gave the forward the benefit of any doubt and he finished in cool fashion.

The willing running of Harris, ably assisted by good displays from Black, King and Parrington was now a constant thorn in the side of the Dockers defenders and he almost scored his third on the hour mark, forcing a good save from Stevenson.

Substitute, Thomas then suffered the curse of the Dock left back position when he too limped off injured, to be replaced by Mark Head. Dock were now struggling to make any inroads into the Float penalty area, and in truth, the visiting ‘keeper Carruthers was rarely troubled.

Float then went close to sealing the tie when a Parrington shot was deflected by Duckers onto the crossbar with Stevenson beaten by the flight. With fifteen minutes remaining, there was a glimmer of hope for Dock when Float substitute Anglesey was given a straight red card for an over zealous tackle on Carl Clampitt.

It was ten man Great Float that sealed their win, however, on 75 minutes. The now tiring Crotty brought down that man Harris again inside the box and the skipper fired the spot kick home to complete his hat-trick. Crotty, who was injured in the process of giving away the spot kick came off to be replaced by Chris Barrow.

It was fitting that Man of the Match Harris had the last chance of the game, where he almost added his and Floats fourth only for his shot to go wide.

FT: Dock 1-3 Great Float.

Dock. 4-4-2 (with substitues in brackets).
Stevenson, Duckers, Byrne, Crotty (Barrow), Wingfield (Thomas) (Head), Mason, C. Clampitt, J. Clampitt, Owen, Whyte I. McGraa.

Report: PETER WARBURTON

Dock will look back on this game with disappointment and two points lost, rather than a point gained against a spirited Prenton Dell at Plymyards. The recent fine autumnal weather gave way to windy conditions and good football was at a premium on a tricky pitch. Although Dell can be pleased with their effort and hard work, Dock nevertheless created more than enough chances to win the game handsomely.

Dock had an early scare inside 5 minutes when Dell centre forward Bigland had the ball in the net, only to be correctly ruled offside. Bigland then followed this effort up with a volley that cleared Martyn Stevenson’s crossbar as Dell used the strong wind to their advantage. Dock’s first effort on goal came from Steve Owen, whose shot screwed narrowly wide on 20 minutes. Mark Head then went close for the visitors following a sweeping move that started in the Dock half when Tom Charter won a thunderous 50-50 tackle.

It was Dell, however, that took the lead on 23 minutes, when after a long hopeful through ball was misjudged by the Dock defenders, Bigland raced on to finish well with a low drilled shot into Stevenson’s net.

In the latter stages of the first half, it was Dock who were now mastering the windy conditions with their short passing game and good chances fell to Chris Barrow, Mark Head and Rob Whyte but none of their efforts were enough to trouble Dell ‘keeper Bimpson.

HT: Prenton Dell 1-0 Dock.

Dock kicked off the second half with the strong wind behind them and were soon camped out in the Dell half, where the home centre half Kevin Thompson was proving to be a formidable obstacle for the Dock forwards. A flurry of good chances then came to Dock, notably for Head, Barrow, Whyte and Owen, but through some poor finishing and some stout defending, Dell held onto their lead.

On 70 minutes, Mark Head took a heavy challenge and had to be replaced by Dean Thomas, whose impact was almost immediate when he came close with a snapshot on 73 minutes. Two minutes later, however, Dock earned a deserved equalizer through Thomas (pictured above), who headed home a Jon Clampitt free kick, after Dell were penalized for a late challenge some 30 yards out.

With Dell visibly tiring now, Dock looked to push on for the winner and Rob Whyte had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside from what would have been a Thomas assist. With two minutes remaining, Dell’s defence managed to clear a goalbound effort from a header by Whyte off the line.

As the referee blew for time, there were contrasting moods on the respective lines. Dell celebrated a hard earned point, while the Dockers support went home ruing a series of missed chances, which should have earned them the three points.

FT: Prenton Dell 1-1 Dock AFC.

Dock. 4-4-2 (with substitues in brackets).
Stevenson, Charter, Carlin, Brunt, Wingfield, Head (Thomas), C. Clampitt, J, Clampitt, Owen, Barrow, Whyte.