Dungannon Swifts booked their place in the next round of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Bangor on Tuesday night. The win, secured by two early goals, sets up a return to Premiership action this weekend.
Glackin opened the scoring after nine minutes, and Dillon doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. Bangor's Cushnie pulled one back on 20 minutes, but the Swifts held on to progress. This was a repeat of the league meeting just three days prior, which ended in a 0-0 draw, and follows a recent league run of one win, two draws and two losses.
The result provides a timely boost for a side sitting eighth in the Premiership with 14 points from 11 games, having recorded four wins and two draws. Their recent form has been mixed, with just one win in their last five league outings, but they will now turn their focus to a key home fixture. The team has scored 11 goals and conceded 14 in the league this season, leaving them with a goal difference of minus three and a significant 17 points behind the leaders, Coleraine FC.
Dungannon host Cliftonville at Stangmore Park on Saturday afternoon. The visitors are one place below them in ninth, making it a significant match in the mid-table picture. The Swifts won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in August, a result they will aim to repeat. Their next league fixture is against this same Cliftonville side at home on Saturday 24 October.
Tuesday's win ends a two-game winless run in all competitions and offers positive momentum. The team will look to carry that into Saturday's 3pm kick-off against Cliftonville. Their recent results include a 2-4 home defeat to Carrick Rangers, a 2-0 loss at Glentoran, a 1-1 draw with Ballymena United, and a 3-0 defeat to Crusaders FC, making this cup success a welcome change.
