In a closely contested League Cup match on October 1, 2024, Dungannon Swifts emerged victorious over Portstewart FC with a final score of 2-1. The statistical factors overwhelmingly highlight the clinical efficiency of Dungannon Swifts, who managed to convert their limited opportunities into goals. Dungannon Swifts managed to score two goals from just three shots on target, making their shot conversion rate quite remarkable. In contrast, Portstewart FC had six shots on target but could only find the net once, suggesting inefficiency in their finishing abilities.

A deeper dive into the assist metrics reveals Dungannon's emphasis on teamwork over individual brilliance. Both of Dungannon's goals came from well-constructed team plays rather than individual efforts, assisted by key pass-makers in the midfield. Portstewart displayed a similar teamwork ethic, as their lone goal was also assist-driven, but their finishing let them down. The lack of solo efforts or unassisted goals indicates both teams relied heavily on their midfielders to create chances.

Defensively, Dungannon's goalkeeper had a standout performance, recording five crucial saves, in stark contrast to Portstewart’s keeper, who made only one save. This defensive solidity underpinned Dungannon's victory, as their defensive line was well-organized and disciplined. Despite conceding more fouls (12 compared to Portstewart's 8), Dungannon's defensive fouling was strategically placed to disrupt Portstewart's attacking rhythm without risking yellow cards.

Corner kicks were fairly equal, with Dungannon earning five corners and Portstewart four, but neither team could capitalize on these set-piece opportunities. The even distribution of corner kicks suggests that both teams had their share of attacking chances but lacked the cutting edge in dead-ball situations. Notably, both teams were disciplined, with no yellow or red cards issued, indicating a relatively clean game by physicality standards.

The substitutions made by Dungannon were more effective, with one substitute contributing directly to maintaining defensive stability during the final stages of the match. Portstewart's substitutions, while proactive, did not bring the desired impact to alter the game's outcome. The lack of significant contribution from the bench highlighted the reliance on starting XI for Portstewart's performance.

In terms of offsides, Dungannon Swifts were more disciplined, caught offside only twice, compared to Portstewart's five times. This stat indicates better-timed runs and awareness from Dungannon's attackers, which contributed to maintaining their attacking momentum and pressure on Portstewart’s defense.

Overall, Dungannon Swifts' superior shot conversion, effective teamwork, and defensive resilience were the decisive factors that contributed to their win. Meanwhile, Portstewart need to work on their finishing and strategic use of substitutions to turn their future performances into victories.

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