March 2002 Reports

Mar 17th 2002	v TV Tornadoes	1-4	League
Newly promoted Thames Valley Tornadoes were the visitors to Wargrave Rec this morning and they inflicted DC's first home league defeat of the season. The pitch had received a hefty amount of rain overnight which made it heavy going underfoot. Jensen also had the rare opportunity of selecting from a group of 15 players although he stuck by the starting eleven that beat Emmbrook last week. DC quickly took the game to the visitors and nearly opened the scoring within two minutes when Jensen knocked a ball into Chris. His resulting shot narrowly missed the target. It was the visitors though who took the lead. A through ball was played through the DC defence who left it expecting an offside flag. It was the runner from midfield though who skipped through and despite a challenge from the onrushing Darren, he rolled the ball into the empty net. A few minutes later TV nearly doubled their lead only for Darren to thwart them by pulling off two fantastic saves one after the other. Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch Andy Holt and Dan Feasey had a couple of chances saved as DC went in search of an equaliser. This constant pressure from DC gave TV the opportunity to counter attack and they took full advantage of that when a Steamers attack broke down. The left back received the ball 20 yards out and delicately chipped Darren who had come a little way off his line to make the score 2-0. Prior to the halft-time whistle, Andy Seery received a knock and was replaced by Mark Jarman. DC started the second half brightly and made a couple of half chances for Jensen and Danny. It was Jensen though who pulled DC back to within a goal of TV. Good work down the left resulted in a deep cross to the back post where an unmarked Jensen passed the ball into the net with a volley. From the kickoff, TV pressed forward in search of a third goal and it finally came when another defensive lapse allowed the TV player to round Darren and slot home. Legs on both sides were beginning to tire and gaps started to apppear. Steve Danby's cross-shot hit the crossbar whilst Howard's ferocious 25 yard drive whizzed past the post. At the other end, Darren and the Steamers defense were kept busy with TV pushing more players forward. The final goal eventually came with 10 minutes to go. A long ball was played down the Steamers right. Everyone stopped except the TV Left back. He raced through and despite starting to chase back, Chris couldn't catch him and could only watch as the shot rolled under Darrens body into the net. A knackered Chris and Jensen made way for fresher legs with Paul Allen and Mickey Sheehan coming on although they could not help DC pull the deficit back. The starting lineup was as follows: Darren Holder, Howard Cooke, Duncan Glen, Wayne Makepeace, Steve Danby, Nick Smith, Andy Seery, Chjris Taylor, Andy Holt, Jensen Langford, Danny Feasey
Scorers: Jensen
Subs: JJ for Andy S, Paul A for Jensen, Mickey for Chris

Mar 31st 2002	v Butterbur & Sage	0-3	League
DC failed to stop Butterbur racing towards the league title at the weekend and crumpled to a 3-0 defeat. This was the first time all season that the Steamers had failed to score and chances were few and far between in this game. Both teams started brightly although it was Darren who had to make two fantastic blocks early on when the goal was at the mercy of the opposition players. Both were last ditch efforts after making initial saves. DC managed to hold the opposition until the half hour mark when a through ball was picked up by a Butterbur striker. He bore down on the advancing keeper and chipped the ball delicately over Darrens head into the empty net. Things got worse for DC not long after when Duncan limped off with a suspected hamstring strain and he was replaced by Daniel Bennett. The second half continued where the first half left off, everything happening in the middle of the park with the constant offside flag being waved as soon as the ball was played through. Butterbur eventually extended their lead when DC conceded a corner. The ball was swung in and bundled into the net via the head of one and the shoulder of another player. Things were not looking good for the Steamers at this point and with their only substitute used, Wayne pulled up with a hamstring strain. He went to partner Danny F up front rearranging the right hand side of the team. Daniel B moved to right midfield, Chris moved to right back and Howard into the centre back slot. This change did not make any difference and Butterbur went and finished the game off scoring a third within the last 15 minutes. Another corner was floated in and despite a challenge in the air, the Butterbur player rose and headed the ball past Darren. The starting lineup was as follows: Darren Holder, Howard Cooke, Duncan Glen, Wayne Makepeace, Steve Danby, Mark Jarman, Paul Allen, Mickey Sheehan, Chris Taylor, Andy Seery, Danny Feasey
Scorers:
Subs: Daniel B for Duncan

Mar 10th 2002	v Embrook Sports	2-0	League
A determined Steamers edged out Embrook by two goals to nil this morning despite the home team missing a penalty. The first half was a dull affair with limited chances for either side although DC were the more dominant side grinding out the better chances in front of goal. Despite the half time score of 0-0, DC came out in the second half looking the more likely to score and it didn't take long before a goal bound effort was deflected causing the Embrook keeper to pull off a stunning save. Steamers took the lead soon after. Jensen received the ball from Howard, turned and put the ball into the danger area. Andy Seery, under pressure, managed to beat the defender to the ball and guide the ball past the keeper. Embrook, in search of an equaliser, put DC under pressure, creating chances and forcing the Steamers into making mistakes. It was a mistake that gave Embrook the opportunity to pull back level. A long through ball evaded the Steamers defence and left Howard to defend against the two onrushing strikers. After another superb save from Darren, Howard handballed the ball away and luckily escaped punishment. The referee consulted the linesman who confirmed the penalty claim. The resulting penalty was taken and booted high over the bar. (It probably didn't help that Chris and Dunc told the fella that his laces were undone as he ran up to take it) As time ticked down, Chris made way for Daniel Bennett on the right hand side of midfield. DC did not look comfortable holding a slender 1-0 lead and went in search of the second. That came within the last five minutes when Jensen played a through ball into the feet of Danny Feasey. Danny beat the remaining defenders and thundered the ball past the Embrook keeper for his 13th goal of the season. This was a well deserved and well fought victory. The starting lineup was as follows: Darren Holder, Howard Cooke, Duncan Glen, Wayne Makepeace, Steve Danby, Nick Smith, Andy Seery, Chjris Taylor, Andy Holt, Jensen Langford, Danny Feasey
Scorers: Andy S, Danny
Subs: Daniel B for Chris