DCFC travelled to Aberystwyth for their 2nd trip of the year to sample the delights of the welsh town and play the current Cambrian Tyres 1 League leaders.
Padarn Utd 5 DCFC 1
Andy Holliday was exasperated to the point of losing all will as his team put in one of their best performances yet still, somehow, failed to take their chances to score.
Padarn, sitting top of the Cambrian Tyres league showed clearly that the difference between them and DCFC came down to finishing.
DCFC started solidly and had the 1st attacks with both Tom Jones and Joe Cartwright shooting from range.
Andy Holliday had a corner pushed onto the bar but no-one in a blue and white shirt was following in.
However it was Padarn who took the lead as a supurb through ball between Allen Holliday and Gary Dutton saw the striker beat both defenders to the ball and slot home past the on-rushing Lambe deputising in goal.
Matthew Darlington then had a guilt-edged chance as from an Andy Holliday Corner he had a free header but pushed it wide.
Padarn again hit on the counter and scored their second and probably best goal, their striker bringing the ball down on the left and firing an unstoppable shot from just inside the 18 yard box.
And it was 3-0 soon after, i think i've destroyed the brain cells in relation to that as i've no recollection of it. Someone let me know!
DCFC continued to play good football, phill lambe was put clean through by joe cartwright but pulled his shot wide (after the offside flag was raised mind). The offside flag was raised on 2 further occasions erroneously thwarting both Joe Cartwright and Tom Jones.
Tom Jones then had DCFC's best chance after being put clean through again he managed to spend the best part of a minute dribbling past the same player before giving up and passing to Joe Cartwright who similarly could not get a shot in before being tackled and the ball going out for a corner.
From the corner Andy Holliday hit the bar for a second time, and for a second time no DCFC player was following up the rebound.
HT 3-0
The second half started in much the same way with both teams playing good attractive football.
Robert Cartwright was getting forward more and more on the right and played in Phill Lambe who's shot was well saved.
However Rob Cartwright suffered as he sliced the ball to a Padarn player from a goal-kick who then went through to score for 4-0.
DCFC continued to frustrate in front of goal, Andy Holliday burst forward on the right before putting in a cross which found Tom Jones free inside the 6-yard box. The ball bobbled in front of him however and the ball ended up coming off both shins and going wide. It just wasn't happening for DCFC.
Padarn extended their lead after a cross was only half cleared to the Padarn No.2 who fired in a stinging, low shot from outside the box that flew into the net.
Padarn would have extended their lead but for some heroic defending by Allen Holliday, Gary Dutton and Captain Darlington.
DCFC did finally get their goal in the 89th minute. Ash Dolan had pushed right up with the strikers and was put clear by Jones and slotted cooly home to score with what turned out to be the final kick of the match.
FT 5-1
Man of the match was Gary Dutton
Team
Stef Lambe
Matt Darlington
Allen Holliday
Gary Dutton
Rob Cartwright
Joe Cartwright
Andy Holliday
Ashley Dolan
David Round
Phill Lambe
Tom Jones
No Subs.