01/02/04 - Away v Thames Conservancy
08/02/04 - Home v Richfield Rovers
15/02/04 - Home v Palmer FC
29/02/04 - Home v Purple Turtle

Feb 01st 2004 v Thames Conservancy

2-1

League
The Steamers continued their good run of form with an away win at Thames Conservancy on a very bad boggy pitch. It was the home side that started the brighter of the two teams and settled quicker. Although in a game of few chances on a heavy pitch neither team really looked like scoring. DC lost their two centre backs at halftime through injury. Kevin took a hefty knock just prior to the whistle whilst Howard was already nursing a sore back. Jason added to their misery midway through the second half with a niggling knee complaint. Macey, Danbers and DM replaced them in the second half. DC were eventually rewarded for their persistence when Steve Bell' cross found Nick, inches from the line. He turned on a sixpence and passed the ball into the net. The wind was blown out of Thames' sails and despite attempts to equalise, they conceded a second close to full time. The goal keepers clearance found it way to Scaldie who, despite under pressure, scored from 30 yards as the keeper slipped in an attempt to get back in goal. A much needed win although the performance needs to improve. The starting line-up was as follows: Darren Holder; Chris Taylor, Howard Cooke, Kevin Pitkin, Jason Knight, Nick Smith, Mark Jarman, Richard Scaldwell, Simon Langthorne,  Steve Bell, Duncan Glen
Scorers: Nick, Scaldie
Subs: Macey for Kevin, DM for Howard, Steve D for Jason

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Feb 08th 2004 v Richfield Rovers Res

3-3

League
A sickening last minute equaliser denied DC of three valuable points this morning as the Steamers were forced to play at Prospect Park as their home ground was waterlogged. The day didn't start well as three players turned up at the wrong park and the pitch we were due to play on had not been booked by the league. Eventually, on a very sloping pitch DC kicked off with the wind in their favour and took an early lead through Simon Langthorne. Richfield settled down and started knocking the ball around despite having the wind and the slope against them in the first half, the equalised. Things seemed to get for for the Steamers as Kevin took a knock to the knee during the half and had to be replaced by Howard, Jason also went down clutching his knee but had to play on due to no more substitutes. The second half looked like a challenge for DC although it they took the lead with Macey striking from just outside the area. It stayed like that until the last 4 minutes when the fireworks certainly went off. Richfield levelled it on 88 minutes. From the kick-off Steve B put Simon clear to make the score 3-2 but as the seconds counted down, Richfield got a throw level with the 18 yard box. It was launched into the area and Chris, using all 5"4' of his height could only flick the ball to the back post to the waiting Rovers player. Not marked tightly enough, he managed to bring the ball down and strike the ball home with more or less the last kick of the game. The starting line-up was as follows: Darren Holder; Chris Taylor, Steve Danby, Kevin Pitkin, Jason Knight, Nick Smith, Richard Mason, Steve Bell, Mark Jarman, Andy Holt, Simon Langthorne,
Scorers: Simon (2), Macey
Subs: Howard for Kevin

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Feb 15th 2004 v Palmer FC

4-1

League
Back to winning ways and a third hat-trick for Simon Langthorne. DC needed to make up for the previous week and did so by starting the game in terrific style. Straight from the kick off, Simon was put through on goal where he made no mistake. 24 seconds according to the referees watch. DC failed to capitalize on the good start and allowed Palmer to create the odd chance, not something you want to be doing with one of the divisions leading goalscorers against you. Palmer eventually equalised after a good spell and DC found themselves having to buck their ideas up. Chances were created and the Steamers had two efforts cleared off the line before Simon made it 2-1 midway through the half. The second half was a different story, DC seemed to control it from the start as Palmer's fitness started to get the better of them. Scaldie increased DC's lead to 3-1 with a brilliant glancing header from a corner. Darren, at the other end was also being kept busy and made two great one-on-one saves to deny the Palmer forward line. Simon was booked for a bad tackle whilst Rory was getting an earful from the traveling supporters and players alike. Simon hit the post before completing his hatrick whilst Scaldie put one wide when it was easier to score. The starting line-up was as follows: Darren Holder; Chris Taylor, Howard Cooke, Mark Jarman, Steve Danby, Nick Smith, Richard Mason, Richard Scaldwell, Simon Langthorne,  Steve Bell, Duncan Glen
Scorers: Simon (3), Scaldie
Subs: Jason for Steve D

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Feb 29th 2004 v Purple Turtle

1-2

League
DC's good run came to an abrupt halt this morning being beaten by a team with more grit and determination. This was a game that DC had to win to maintain their push for elevation. DC conceded a silly early goal before Simon scored DC's consolation equaliser before half time. Despite an upbeat halftime chat DC just couldn't break down the Purple Turtle and eventually gave away another daft goal. The starting line-up was as follows: Darren Holder, Jason Knight, Howard Cooke, Duncan Glen, Wayne Makepeace, Steve Dandy, Chris Taylor, Nick Smith, Richard Scaldwell, Steve Bell, Simon Langthorne
Scorers: Simon
Subs: 

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