The Dock Association Football Club

Please be advised that all games on council pitches have been called off this weekend, including Dock’s game v Lairds Sports & Social at Bebington Oval. It’s a wee bit muddy out there!!!

The Dock AFC committees early season decision to change their home games to the Memorial Ground, Borough Road, was thoroughly vindicated on Sunday. All other matches on the Wirral fell foul to the recent wet weather and Dock took full advantage to register three points against fourth placed Woodchurch. The win now sees Dock in third place, four points above Woodchurch. The ground staff is to be commended for producing a good pitch which resulted in an entertaining game.

Dock’s manager, Jason Williams, had an almost fully fit squad to choose from for the first game of 2014, so a strong starting eleven and substitute’s bench were in evidence.

The game started brightly with both teams eager to zip the ball in the early stages. After eight minutes, Dock was awarded a somewhat soft penalty when Mike McGraa was adjudged to have been fouled inside the Woodchurch penalty box. However, his tame spot kick was saved by the Woodchurch ‘keeper. The visitors almost took the lead on twenty minutes when a snapshot flew just wide of Martyn Stevenson’s upright. A minute later, Steve Owen fired over for Dock, after good work from Luke Hughes and Steve Duckers.

On the half hour mark, Ian McGraa has a good effort saved and just before the break he failed to meet a cross from Jon Clampitt after good work down the Dock’s left wing.

HT: Dock 0-0 Woodchurch.

Dock started the second half brightly and the impressive Clampitt registered a good save from the keeper after Ian McGraa had been fouled on the edge of the box. On fifty minutes, Mike McGraa had an effort cleared off the line as Dock pressed for an opening goal. On fifty five minutes, the breakthrough came from a towering header by Dock centre half Paul Byrne. After Tom Charters had been fouled, Ian McGraa sent in a wicked cross for Byrne to beat the ‘keeper from eight yards out (pictured below).

Dock almost scored a second on sixty five minutes when Tom Charters shot was tipped over for a corner. The referee then went back to book Jon Clampitt for simulation in the box in the lead up to the shot. Despite Clampitt’s explanation to the official that he was teaching Tom Charters a new dance move for the 2014 Christmas party, the booking stood.

On seventy eight minutes, Martyn Stevenson produced a fine save, and two minutes later Dock sealed the game when substitute, Mark Head pounced on a poor defensive header to power in a low shot to the keepers left (pictured top left). The Woodchurch goalie managed to get a hand on the ball, but it trickled over the line for the Dock’s second.

There were further half chances for both sides, the most notable being when Woodchurch hit the post in the last minute, with the ball rolling on the line for Stevenson to keep out.

In summary, a well deserved victory for Dock, with confidence high before next week’s trip to Queens Park.

FT: Dock 2-0 Woodchurch.

Dock. 3-5-2 (with substitues in brackets).
Stevenson, Crotty, Carlin, Bryne (Irvine), Duckers, Hughes (Saunders), Owen, Charters, Clampitt, I. McGraa (Head), M McGraa.

More Photos

Report: PETER WARBURTON
Photos: CHRIS STADING

Dock recorded a league double over Heygarth on a chilly morning at Levers. Dock appeared to be coasting to the three points at half time, but a stronger showing from the home team made the result much closer than Dock’s play merited.

From the first whistle, Dock were on the front foot, pushing back the home side with some slick passing. The holdup play of front man Mike McGraa, and Steve Duckers willing running at right wing back were particularly impressive.

On seven minutes, a free kick from Jon Clampitt flew just wide after Ian McGraa was fouled on the edge of the box. It wasn’t too long, however, until the breakthrough came. Clampitt was taken out by a high and dangerous challenge by the home ‘keeper and Mike McGraa (pictured left) scored from the spot. The Heygarth ‘keeper was very lucky not to be shown the red card for the foul.

Dock doubled their lead on twenty minutes when midfielder, Luke Hughes and the home ‘keeper contested a through ball on the edge of the box. The ball fell kindly to Clampitt, who coolly slotted home into the empty net.

There were further chances to extend the lead, notably for Mike McGraa and Ian McGraa, but at the break, Dock went in two goals to the good.

HT: Heygarth 0-2 Dock.

Heygarth were given a lifeline after fifty minutes, when the referee adjudged what looked like a perfectly fair challenge from Paul Byrne to be a penalty. Heygarth took advantage of the early Christmas present and reduced the deficit to 1-2.

This spurred the home side into more pressing, but apart from a couple of snapshots and crosses into the box, Martyn Stevenson was relatively untroubled.

After seventy minutes, Dock regained their two goal advantage. After some fine passing, Jamie Kenyon’s volleyed effort was superbly saved by the Heygarth goalie, but Steve Duckers was on hand to slot home from close range.

Tom Charters, Mike McGraa and Luke Hughes all went close to a fourth but the home side made it a nervy last few minutes, when a mistake at the back, gifted them a second goal.

The last minute then saw the home ‘keeper sent off after getting involved on the half way line in a minor altercation. The referee had no option but to show the red card for his troubles.

FT: Heygarth 2-3 Dock.

Dock. 3-5-2 (with substitues in brackets).
Stevenson, Carlin, Byrne, Irving, Duckers, Hughes, Charters (Warburton), Owen, Clampitt (Saunders), M. McGraa, I. McGraa (Kenyon).

More Photos

Report: Peter Warburton
Photos: Chris Stading

The Dock AFC Christmas night out will be on Saturday 28th December 2013.

Kick off will be at 7pm in the Joey’s, club with Christmas jumpers being optional (fancy dress for Mark Head, as usual)!

Christmas is coming,
The Goose is getting fat,
Please put a penny In the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny,
A ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny,
Then God bless you.