DUNDONALD CHASE F.C.
NEWS ARCHIVE

4 January 2004 Morden & District League Division 8 at Dundonald Road Recreation Ground

DCFC 1 (0)
Richie (pen) 58
Erskine Rovers 1 (0)
86

Leroy and Gunes look on, hoping that Richie doesn't shoot.

Ironically the two sides have now met four times in proper games and this is the third 1-1 draw. Even more strangely all 1-1 draws have seen one side equalise late on. We did it once when Glenn Moore came on from the bench to grab a late equaliser 2 years ago and Erskine scored in the 85th minute in the other 1-1 draw from the 2001/2002 season, this time they left it a little later - the 86th minute!

Overall we played really well, putting in a great team performance, but the first 5 minutes of this game, saw us get off to a dreadful start. It really looked as if we were going to be dealt another spanking (like the friendlies) by Erskine. We were all over the place and half asleep, as Erskine created several chances in the opening minutes. Luckily enough, nothing came from them and soon enough we started to get a bit of control on the game. Once we settled down we didn't look too bad. As usual it took a while for us to create our first opportunity, which came from Ed, as he tried is luck from a long way out, but then he has scored from that sort of range before. Erskine always looked dangerous on the break, as they had a lot more direction and threat about them, compared to ourselves.

The re-tried 5-3-2 formation actually seemed to do the trick this time around as it give us that little bit more security at the back. Richie was back in defence, usually he would be missed in the center of the park, as he is a work horse in midfield, but this time he played a crucial part in keeping things together at the back. Tom came to life, after a shaky first half, he was magnificent for the last 45 minutes.

As the season progresses you can't help but notice that we are getting our act together. We may have lost some awful games this season, but when you look at where our points have come in the league, the observant amongst you, will notice that it's against teams in the top half of the division, rather than the lower. There is a nice balance in the team and everyone seems to gel, we just lack authority in the final third.

The first half wasn't exactly littered with chances. Matty shot just wide and Kirk's effort from outside the box, deflected over the bar. Ed came closest to scoring, when his free kick curled agonisingly wide of the post.

Erskine had few chances themselves, although they did make us look vulnerable from some well taken corners.

The second half saw us carry on from where we left off. Erskine though were also pressing hard for an opener, it did look that whoever scored may well win the game, as neither side was giving much away. So when Kirk went down in the area and the appeals successfully resulted in a penalty, there was a great feeling that the pen. could be worth 3 points. Only problem was, who is going to take it. Richie seemed determined to break his recent hoodoo and he did with a Well hit pen low to the keepers right.

Now that we had our noses in front, you couldn't help but feel that we needed another to make sure. Erskine hadn't come hear to walk away with nothing and they were going to push us all the way. Neither side were creating many real chances and we kept battling away well. Tom was defending well, but eventually Erskine caught us out, as a long ball pumped forward, found the Erskine striker, who timed his run well, quickly broke free from Gunes and smashed the equaliser past a stranded Rob in goal, it was sickening, but in fairness Rovers always looked the more likely to score next.

You can't take anything away from our performance. It was certainly up there with the best of the season so far and if we keep playing like that, we may just attain enough points to stave off relegation.