DUNDONALD CHASE F.C.
NEWS ARCHIVE

27 April 2003 - Friendly (at Morden Rec.)

DCFC 1 (0)
Matty 67
Real Dundonald 1 (0)
Dave 90

Close encounters of the Dundonald kind.

It just had to happen, after a season where we hadn't drawn a single game, the final game of the season ends in a draw.

To be fair, the result was just about right. Both sides were evenly matched, in what was mainly a physical and tight tie, with neither side really getting a foothold on the game. Real had the advantage in the first half, playing with the wind, so it seemed the 0-0 half-time score line, was in our favour. However, the wind advantage didn't appear to make any difference, as we edged the first half, while Real edged the second.

Looking at this result from a positive point of view, we did well to get a draw, especially as we were missing Mr. Creative (Damien), our main striker - Springy and were without a goalkeeper. Full credit goes to Fergie and Ed, who both took responsibilities of playing in goal and both made some very important stops. Fergie acrobatically tipping a goal bound effort over the bar and Ed effortlessly showed some quick reactions to keep out further efforts in the second half.

The first half saw both sides only have a handful of chances between them, for Real as well as the aforementioned chances, they could so have nearly scored after two goal bound efforts were cleared off the line in quick succession. For ourselves, as well as a few strong penalty appeals, Steve could have scored on his debut, wanting to take that extra touch in front of goal, he was tackled just in time. Matty, who was without a shadow of a doubt, the Man of the Match today, hustled and bustled and nearly got a goal for his rewards, after charging down the Real backline - a chance that he really had no right to.

Things started to open up a bit more in the second half. Just as well, as this game had nil nil, written all over it. Ed's free kick nearly resulted in a goal, only for Ben to tip the effort round the post. Nick nearly caught Ben out when his extra long range shot, only narrowly went wide, but Matty broke the deadlock when a misplaced clearance from Real, fell to the young chap, who battled superbly and hit a curling shot past a stranded Ben in goal, we just about deserved our lead, however this fired Real into action and they put constant pressure on us from this point, as they desperately seeked an equaliser. We struggled to cause Real too many problems, with the exception of Matty pulling off a great stop from Ben in goal, the ex Chase keeper wasn't hung over this time!

We managed to stave off most of what Real chucked at us, but with time running out Kev Shepard's hopeful cross into the box, saw Dave nod past a stranded Ed in goal, to bring Real level. There was time to be added, but as much as we tried to get an even later winner, Real also looked like they might snatch a late win themselves. In the end things finished all square. Both sides can now reflect on generally good seasons and approach next season positively.