Another kind of tactical genius: A Football Manager AAR

[johnhughthom]

Mid Ulster Times

Monday 17th November 2012

Defeat sees end of Doggart reign.

Loughgall 0-3 Dungannon

A heavy defeat at Lakeview on Saturday saw Loughgall manager John Doggart resign from his post less than a year after taking the job. The defeat saw the team's run without a victory in the league stretch to ten games, and the heavy defeat at home was Doggart's final game in charge.

His departure was something of a surprise, despite the defeat. Full back Stuart Thompson had signed in midweek and it seemed the board were willing to give him more time to turn things around, the scoreline was perhaps slightly harsh on the villagers, with a number of refereeing decisions going Dungannon's way and clearly affecting the scoreline.

A clear Loughgall penalty wasn't given in the opening minutes, the second Dungannon goal came after a clear foul in the build up, though the sending off was the correct decision, Loughgall fans may well say it was the only one referee Jim King got right.

Dungannon opened the scoring right after half time, a counter attack down the left flank saw Shea Campbell cross for Alain Emerson to knock in unmarked at the back post. The second saw Campbell clearly push Glen Taggart off the ball, before passing to Phillip Donnelly, whl fired a twenty five yard drive past Marc Robinson. The final goal came from Campbell, who ghosted in to the near post to head home a left wing cross.

It could all have been so different, had the penalty been given in the early minutes, or had Stephen Doyle put the home side ahead when clean through midway through the first half. Indeed Doggart may look at Doyle's wastefulness as the main reason for his failure this season, the side created chances, the striker failed to put them away too often. Lack of competition for Doyle was also a factor. Loughgall spent the summer looking for a striker, but were unable to meet the contract demands of a number and others decided to go elsewhere. Ironically, today's star of the show may well have been on the other side, as Loughgall submitted a free transfer offer when he was transfer listed by Dungannon, who refused the offer.

Former Institute manager Allan Blair is the favourite to take the reins at Lakeview, he is currently unemployed and the club is expected to approach him over the next few days.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Now, where to go next? Luckily teams in FM seem quick to forgive previous carpness and hopefully I'll get a job soon. Mancini has just been sacked by Citeh...