DUNDONALD CHASE F.C.
NEWS ARCHIVE

22 February 2004 Morden & District League Division 8 at Morden Recreation Ground

DCFC 7(1)
Damion 20 59, Matty 60, Leroy 68, Gaz 74, Daniel 77, Richie 88
AC Croygas 1 (1)
44

After six seasons of being in the Morden & District League, DCFC sets a club record six goal win against in-form AC Croygas. Up until now, our biggest win was 5-0 (achieved 3 times).

There was no fluke in today's win, we were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. This result could not have come at a better time, our extra-time defeat to Kingsway last week, had a serious effect on our morale. It was too much for Tuffie and it is no doubtful whether he will be playing for us again. You couldn't help but worry as to how many individuals would finally decide that enough is enough and leave us. Luckily for us virtually everyone one in the team is a loyal member to the club and everyone that played in this impressive, memorable performance can give themselves a pat on the back, this is the sort of result that would save any club going through a bad spell from an early death.

Right from the start we were in control, in the opening 5 minutes we had 4 attempts on goal. Adrian, Matty and co were all keen to test the Croygas keeper. We put Croygas under immense pressure, we were winning the battles in midfield our passing was as good as it has been all season, how we managed to muster a performance such as this was almost unexplainable.

On top of all this, Croygas' 4-1 win against us earlier in the season must have given them great confidence, as since then they have gone on a very impressive run, winning 4 of their last 5 games. You can't even look at this result and say we were playing weak opposition, their recent run includes a very impressive 3-1 win over Kingsway.

Damion finally broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, rounding the keeper after accepting a good through ball from Ed. Damion was magnificent today. He scored two, but could easily have scored more, his ability to hold onto the ball and round players must be frightening for the opposition. He is probably the last player that we would want to lose and given the fact he does so much traveling to get to the games, you always fear it is going to happen. This again underlines the importance of today's victory.

For all the pressure that we were putting Croygas under, you still feared their forward surges. It was vital that we didn't give their number 12 any space or time and he showed why by scoring a great goal just minutes before half-time, shrugging off the challenge of Tom, to finish past a more or less redundant until now, Rob in goal.

One of the strangest things about this game surfaced at half-time. We had just let another lead slip, the goal coming cruelly on the 44th minute and yet their was no panic in the half-time team talk. We knew that we were on top and simply had to convert that dominance into goals, probably one of our biggest problems (where applicable) this season.

The second half was simply a joy to watch, we took the game by the scruff of the neck, changed into first gear and unleashed all the damage. The midfield was strong, we were passing well and managed to kill the game off.

Danger man Damion scored his second goal, it had a degree of luck about it, but his great control enabled him to make it his. A minute later Matty hit a scorcher, firing a power shot over the top of the keeper into the far side of the goal. Leroy got on the score sheet for the second time this season, firing a deflected shot into the corner. Gaz then got his first goal for the club with a great half volley across goal, Dan was their to finish from close range to make it six and Richie rubbed more salt in the wounds heading home number 7.

So many questions have been raised about our recent performances and everyone is trying to come up with explanations as to where we've been going wrong ? You can stop asking questions now guys, this is the sort of performance that a team at the top of the table would enjoy, yet alone one struggling as we are. Croygas can think themselves unlucky that they caught us on a very good day. We must try and find this sort of performance for all of our last three games, if we are to avoid the drop.