DUNOON FC marked their first competitive fixture in emphatic fashion last Sunday, cruising to a remarkable 14-0 victory over Glasgow East End at Battery Park.
Having spent the past few months playing friendlies since the club’s formation, Dunoon finally got their competitive season underway — and they wasted no time in making a statement.
The home side dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, with Mark Hughes putting Dunoon firmly in control by completing a first-half hat-trick inside just 23 minutes.
Hughes’ goals gave Dunoon a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval, but manager Leon Braid was keen to ensure his players did not let their standards drop.
His message at half-time was simple: the second half started at 0-0 and Dunoon had to keep pushing.
The players responded immediately.
Within minutes of the restart, striker Garry Stewart got himself on the scoresheet with a powerful volley which gave the Glasgow East End goalkeeper no chance.
Substitute Jack Davies then made an immediate impact, rising highest from a corner to head Dunoon’s fifth goal of the afternoon.
There was no let-up from Dunoon, with fellow substitute Nathan Shields joining the scoring and producing an outstanding spell in front of goal.
Shields completed a hat-trick within just 10 minutes of entering the action, while Fraser Syme also got in on the act with a deflected effort.
Robertson added another shortly afterwards, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper after being played through on goal.
Davies then grabbed his second of the afternoon, his low drive proving too powerful for the goalkeeper to keep out.
Shields was not finished either. Having already completed his hat-trick, he capitalised on a defensive error to score his fourth and push Dunoon into double figures.
Davies would eventually complete his own hat-trick to round off an extraordinary afternoon.
The striker was sent through on goal by Jake Campbell, and although his touch was heavy, it wrong-footed the goalkeeper and allowed Davies to finish and complete the scoring at an incredible 14-0.
While Dunoon’s attacking display will grab headlines, there was also plenty to celebrate at the other end of the pitch.
The defensive unit of Ewan Witherow, Andrew Lochrie, Scott Melville and Irvine McArthur, alongside goalkeeper Fraser Witherow, were given special recognition for keeping Dunoon’s first competitive clean sheet.
It was a dream start to competitive football for the newly formed club, with Dunoon sending out a clear message with a dominant performance and a remarkable scoreline.
Dunoon will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Darroch Park to take on MISC FC again in the Ridgedoc Cup.
