DC's
unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt in a game marred by injuries to Steamers
players. Despite missing some key players through unavailability and injury,
the Wargrave side welcomed Jason and Dunc back into the squad and started well
creating a couple of good early chances. Their pressure soon paid off when
Richard Scaldwell latched onto a decent through ball and drilled a low shot
home to put the visitors ahead. From this moment on the game started to slowly
drift away from DC, evidence of this when the Bulmershe striker got goal-side
of Paul Allen and scored the equalizer midway through the first half. A triple
tragedy then hit DC before the half was finished. Firstly, Howard had to be
replaced by Jason as the DC right back injured his back and then within a
matter of minutes late in the first half. Darren charged from his goal and
saved at the feet of the onrushing striker only to get up with a broken little
finger. Paul Allen replaced him temporarily in goal whilst Rory got changed
although within a minute of the restart Bulmershe scored a second when they capitalized
on a slip by the keeper. Two-One down at half time and DC had everything to do
in the second half. Things only got worse !! Bulmershe charged into a
commanding 5-1 lead with Nick Smith missing a penalty between goals and Rory,
who'd replaced Darren at half-time, having to go off after a collision
with an opposing striker left him with a bad swelling on his knee. Up stepped
DC's 4th goalkeeper of the day...Jason Knight. Unfortunately he could do
nothing to prevent the home teams fifth goal. The Steamers had a mountain to
climb and with Paul Smithson replacing Rory, DC pushed everyone forward apart
from Paul Allen and JJ in search of a goal. This eventually came when Steve
Bell side footed home from close range. He then reduced the deficit to two
goals minutes later when he thumped a loose ball home after a goalmouth
scramble. Unfortunately this was not enough for DC who now have to hope that
injuries clear up for the visit of high flying Whitley Tavern Res in the
league in two weeks time.
The starting line-up was as
follows: Darren Holder; Howard Cooke, Duncan Glen, Mark Jarman, Steve Danby,
Richard Jordan, Nick Smith, Richard Scaldwell, Paul Allen, Steve Bell, Danny Feasey
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