Berks and Bucks 1st Rnd

After a two week break, DC launched their challenge on the County Cup with a 7-1 drubbing of Wokingham Wanderers with Jensen scoring a first half hat-trick. Attacking from the kick off, the Steamers ran into a 3-0 lead within 15 minutes. Steve Danby opened the scoring with a delightful long distance effort before Jensen scored sidefooted home to make it 2-0. Jensen then made it 3-0 with a header at the back post. Wokingham appeared to look already beaten even before Owen Temple made it 4-0 and Jensen completed his hat-trick with another well placed effort. Wokingham were given a lifeline when Neil failed to clear a cross and planted the ball past Craig. This appeared to give the home side a lift and they came to life, competing and closing DC down quicker. Early in the 2nd half, Steve Danby was denied a second goal when Scaldie decided to head in at the back post only then to see it disallowed for offside. (Had he left it to fly into the top corner where it was destined, he'd have saved himself a load of ribbing). Chris Taylor, Steve Bell and Tom Entract replaced Steve Danby, Jensen Langford and Steve Barker respectively as DC continued to press and create some good chances. Simon made the score 6-1 when his shot bounced off several players legs and bobbled over the line. The game was wrapped up when Simon slid in and converted Owens cross. Paul Kulpa was unfortunate not to add to the tally when his goalbound freekick was superbly turned away somehow by the keeper late on.

League

DC Steamers picked up their first win of the season on Sunday away at Meadow Rangers.

DC took the lead in the first half from a goal of the season contender by Steve Bell. Steve received the ball 25 yards out before placing the ball in the top right hand corner giving the meadow keeper no chance. Meadow were handed an equaliser when keeper Craig Fullicks failed to hold onto the ball allowing the meadow attacker to cut the ball back for a team mate to knock in. DC re-took the lead at the end of the first half after Owen Temple won the ball after some good pressing in the meadow penalty area which eventually led to the meadow player putting the ball into his own net.

Both teams created chances in the second half and DC were forced to re-organising after losing Neil Sprackling to injury but managed to hold out for a well earned 3 points against a tough opposition.

E Cambridge Cup 1st Rnd

DC Steamers league cup campaign ended at the first hurdle with a 3-1 defeat to Kennet Vale.

DC started the game brightly and hit the post and bar in the first half but found themselves behind at the break after Kennet Vale scored late on in the half.

DC pulled level at 1-1 when Simon Langthorne ran clear of the defence and slid the ball across the face of the goal for Owen Temple to tap in. Vale then scored again to make it 2-1 and then 3-1 and despite late efforts from Owen and Jenson Langford and some great saves from keeper Craig Fullicks DC could not get themselves level.

League

DC Steamers resumed their league campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over bottom team AFC Southfield.

Player manager Richard Scaldwell opened the scoring in the first half when he bundled a loose ball over the line at the back post. Captain Matt Bovey made it 2-0 with a back post header from an Andrew Fookes corner. Owen Temple scored again in the first half with a diving header but was adjudged to be offside.

DC kept the pressure on Southfield after the break and added a third goal when Jenson Langford flicked the ball into Steve Barkers path as he raced clear of the defence and calmly slotted the ball home. The forth came courtesy of a penalty. After being fouled in the box Jenson picked himself up and scored from the spot.

The talking point of the game though was the goal that made it 5-0. Chris Taylor was fouled in the box and DC were awarded another penalty. Up stepped Neil Sprackling who had never scored a goal at the right end in a Steamers shirt. Neil poorly struck his penalty straight at the keeper but was fortunately on hand to hammer home the rebound from a couple of yards. Cue rapturous celebrations!

A great performance from DC all round.