Stephen Acheson says he is playing football with a smile on his face again after returning to Dollingstown.
The 31-year-old is back at Planter’s Park following one-and-a-half seasons with Championship outfit Annagh United.
Dollingstown appears to be a home from home for Acheson, who says he is excited to link up with Stephen Uprichard who he believes gets the best out of him.
“I am playing with a smile on my face again, and it is just around the corner from where I work,” Uprichard told Match on Tuesday.
“When you are happy you play your best football, and I love playing for Big Scobie (Uprichard). He is a proper man manager who knows how to get the best out of you.”
Acheson added: “This is my second spell at Dollingstown and I am loving it.
“I was at the Annagh but my work commitments meant I couldn’t fully commit to a lot of the midweek games and things like that.
“Big Scobie was willing to work with me which was helpful.
“I enjoy it here, and I have known Scobie for years. I know how hard he works and he is a gentleman as well.
“A lot of the boys are still here from the first time I played for Dollingstown, so it isn’t like walking into a new team.
“I was an Annagh for about a year-and-a-half, and I enjoyed playing in the Championship. It was competitive and any team can beat anyone else in that league.
“And it is the same in the Premier Intermediate League. Any team can beat anyone else, as the table and results prove.”
Dollingstown moved into seventh spot in the Premier Intermediate League with Saturday’s 3-2 win over Lisburn Distillery.
Uprichard’s boys have won three of their last four games in the league and are now flirting with the top six.
And Acheson believes there is plenty to play for as the Dollybirds look to the rest of the season.
“It really is about who turns up on their day. We are not too far away from even third spot in the table. So there is a lot to play for,” he added.
“Some people said to me that Dollingstown have nothing to play for in the league, but I don’t agree with that.
“I believe we can make a big push and have a big say in the league. We know we can beat anyone in this league, and everyone else seems to be beating each other. So points will be won and lost.
“I want to finish at least top six and have a final say in the top positions. We still have a lot to play for.”
Dollingstown had to battle for their win on Saturday.
They led twice in the game, only to be pegged back by a spirited Whites side at New Groavenor.
The winning goal arrived in the 79th minute, Jonathan Ewart on target to earn the Dollybirds a 3-2 victory.
“It was a good win for us. It is always difficult playing away from home,” Acheson said.
“We conceded before half-time and then we went 2-1 up, but Distillery went straight back up and made it 2-2 which was deeply frustrating.
“There are a lot of things to work on.
“The game should have been over by half-time. We should have been three or four up but we missed chances. And we nearly got punished.
“I suppose it shows the character of the squad, and we have a lot of experienced players who can drag you through games.
“Boys who have been around for a long time.
“We knew it would be a tough game against the Whites. They have picked up some good results recently, beating Bangor in there as well.
“They were a team in form, so it was definitely a good win for us. And I think we deserved it as well.”
Acheson believes Dollingstown are showing some positive signs as they approach the business end of the season.
And he thinks December’s Bob Radcliffe Cup success has instilled plenty of confidence in the side.
“There have been some positive signs recently which is good to see, and we just want to pick up as many points as we can,” he added.
“We beat Armagh recently. I wasn’t here at the time but I was talking to Big Scobie who said the team is more than a match for anyone in this league, and I well believe it.
“I think winning the Bob Radcliffe was a big plus for the lads. And that’s what they needed to be honest. It had been a frustrating league campaign but the cup runs can drive a team on, and I think that’s what happened here.”
