DUNDONALD CHASE F.C.
NEWS ARCHIVE

30 March 2003 - Morden & District League Division 10

DCFC 3 (1)
Matty 22, Kirk 58, Ed 87
Kingston Cosmos 1 (0)
61

All in all, it has been a great season. When you look back, you can see that we have come a long way. Today we broke the club record of 35 points in a season, as we notched up 36 points from our 12th league win - also a club record, although you can't help but think on what might have been, had we not chucked games away, a couple more points was all that was needed for us to finish the season with the runner-up prize.

The strength of this league is such, that all sides, even in the bottom division can play football. Kingston are a well disciplined hard working unit, who you would expect to be battling it out next season for promotion. We were of course surprised, after losing to them earlier in the season, in a game we didn't play particularly well in ourselves, but paid the price for thinking it would be easier than it was. Today, Kingston again gave us as a good test, we had to perform and work hard to get those precious 3 points.

There wasn't really an awful lot in it in the opening 20 minutes, Damien had the best chance, after he turned well and fired a good curling shot inches wide of the post. It was Matty that broke the deadlock, continuing with his impressive performance from last week, he broke into the area and fired a shot across the goal, into the far corner. Minutes later, when Ed went sprawling like a continental star, the ref. had little option other than to point to the spot - who was going to take this ? Neither Richie or Ed are high on confidence, after between them missing all of our last 3 penalties. Richie, was determined to rid himself of this jinx, but really should have done better, as his effort was again saved by their keeper - this time with his legs. Who's volunteering for the next penalty ?

Kingston caused us a number of problems from corners, Chara had to be alert to fist the majority of their efforts away.

The second half saw us get more of a foothold on the game, we were starting to create more chances, but unfortunately our finishing was mediocre, however Kirk hit a screamer, after being played through by Damien, as he riffled the ball, past the advancing Cosmos keeper. After this, we wasted numerous chances. Kirk fired high, wide and all over the place, he was a serious threat to the general public walking their dogs. 'Willie' headed inches wide and Richie fired over from 2 yards out (see below).

'Willie' on the floor, heads just wide

Richie amazingly blasted an effort over the bar from 2 yards out.

Kingston also had more chances in the second half. We still don't look convincing at the back, as on the break Cosmos looked a real threat. It was from one of these breaks that Kingston scored, as with Chara advancing, the forward coolly lifted the ball over Chara and just did enough, with Richie racing to try and clear the ball, off the line.

We had to keep battling and so with only a few minutes remaining, Ed's coolly struck shot from 30 yards out into the far corner, with the keeper stranded, sealed the points we needed, to give us a chance of finishing second, however a call to Merton Rangers, resulted in the news we didn't want to hear, as they narrowly lost (again) to Sutton Heritage 2-1.

Well done to everyone, you have all been part of the clubs best season so far. We should now build on this and hopefully walk away with some silverware next season.