Lack of Goals again haunts DCFC

FC Buxton 4 DCFC 1

DCFC travelled away to Buxton on Saturday in what must have been a highly entertaining game for the 20-odd strong crowd.

Returning Captain Darlington partnered mace and Dutton in defence with the midfield seeing Matthew Mort play his last game before going to Manchester university. David Round also came in for Daniel watling.

Up front Gresty partnered Dolan after Evans suffered a late can't-get-out-of-bed-on-time injury.

DCFC started brightly with Gresty shooting into the side netting and Darlington coming close at the far post from an andy Holliday free kick.

However Buxton came into the game and started to dominate. Their 6foot 4 no. 9 was dominating everything in the air and lead to DCFC double-marking him. Gardner in goal, pulled of a full stretched save to stop a header from him, and his co-striker should have done much better after latching onto one of his knock downs.

Buxton did take the lead their dominence deserved in (or around!) the 25th minute. A corner came in from the right and was headed clear to the edge of the box where Dolan stood. Dolan took what turned out to be a costly touch, as he was robbed of the ball and a pass found the no.9 who slotted home past gardner.

5 minutes later another corner resulted in a goal after a late run from Buxtons former semi-pro player "bather" was not picked up and he gleefully smashed the ball home from close range.

HT 2-0

At half time DCFC made 3 changes, Ephgrave came on for Dolan, Vickers for Mort and Allen Holliday for Steven Mace.

Immediately Ephgrave got into the game and started to hold the ball up aloowing the midfield to join each attack, something which DCFC had lacked in the 1st half. DCFC knew that the next goal was all important and had to be theirs. 5 minutes into the second half, it was, Vickers' through ball to Gresty was helped on by ephgrave, Gresty took the ball into the box and was clattered by a late challenge from the goalkeeper. A clear penalty was given and slotted home to the left of the 'keeper by this seasons' current top scorer Joe Cartwright.

DCFC continued to push and were completely dominating. Andy Holliday had three corners in quick succession, one dropped at the far post after the 'keeper missed the ball, however no DCFC player was able to capitalise. A second was headed clear to the feet of david round who caught the ball sweetly on the volley, however his shot could not find its way through a packed box. A third found Mark Ephgrave in the 6 yard box who was visibly disapointed when his header flew over. DCFC could not get the vital equaliser.

Gresty had a glorious chance after cartwright effort was blocked on the line, the defender could not get his feet right to get the ball clear. gresty pounced on him but somehow failed to dispossess him and poke the ball home for the equaliser. The next chance fell to Joe Cartwright. After being put through by ephgrave, he found himself with a one-on-one with the 'keeper. The ball bobbled and he chose to try to chip the 'keepr. To the horror of himself and his team mates the chip bounced agonisingly wide. It was not a chance he was going to forget easily.

Buxton then somewhat incredibly took the lead. In a rare attack David Round battled with the Buxton striker and won a goal kick. The referee signalled this and DCFC made their way to the half way line. The linesman however flagged a corner, and the referee changed his mind. Buxton took the corner quickly, into a practically empty box and the ball was lashed home by the midfielder bather.

Protests were lead at the referee who was unmoving and DCFC faced a massive uphill task from here.

Manager Holliday replaced Dutton with mort for the final 8 minutes and pushed cartwright into attack into a 4-3-3 formation. Robert Cartwright was continuing to get in good positions on the right and won a throw near the by line. Holliday took the throw which was flicked on by Mort into the 6 yard box where two DCFC players Dolan and Cartwright could not force the ball home.

Buxton, hitting DCFC on the break should have extended their lead on 3 occasions. Gardner pulled off an incredible double save when the Buxton No.9 was through on goal, and the same player pulled a penalty wide after Allen Holliday was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Finally bxuton also hit the bar and DCFC's defence looked more stretched as they pushed on to try and get themselves back in the game.

In the final minute, DCFC won a free kick after Cartwright was fouled. Andy holliday took the free kick and ordered all but Robert Cartwright and David Round into the box. Holliday's corss found Darlington, who wasn't able to get sufficient power on his header. The ball was cleared and predictably, Buxton raced down the field and scored the final goal of the game, prompting the refree's whistle for full time.

FT 4-1

DCFC

Gardner

Dutton (85 Mort)
Mace (45 Allen Holliday)
Darlington ©

Robert Cartwright
Mort (45 vickers)
Andy Holliday
Joe Cartwright
Round

Gresty
Dolan (45 Ephgrave)