DCFC do it for Chester
DCFC 4 vs 0 Buxton
Saturday 13th March 2010
A game which started with a minutes silence for Chester City and black armbands being worn brought about one of the best performances of the season from DCFC
DCFC welcomed the fans from Buxton FC, a unibond premier side who had been in good form going into this game. After an impeccably observed minutes silence the game took a while to kick into action and create chances. Much of the first 5 minutes the ball spent it's time out of play as both sides battled for position on the field.
The first chance however fell to Allen Jones who beat the right back for pace before driving his shot towards goal making the 'keeper make a good save.
It was Allen Jones who then went on to open the scoring in similar fashion. Dom Rae, who claimed 2 assists in the last game, exposed the Buxton right back once again as his pass allowed Jones to run in behind and fire a shot that was too powerful for the 'keeper to handle.
DCFC started to dominate and had further chances. After a succession of Corners Allen Jones found some space after a Joe Cartwright cross found him inside the box, however his header was over the bar. Allen Holliday also met a further Cartwright corner but was adjudged to have fouled his marker.
Ashley Dolan had a glorious chance to double DCFC's lead after being put through by Andy Holliday however his shot was well saved by the Buxton 'keeper.
It was becoming worrying that the second goal would not come and Buxton would come into the game. Buxton had an effort from a corner headed over but could not seem to get their strikers in the game in order to have any notable chances.
Finally, DCFC got the 2nd goal they deserved. Allen Jones played the ball through to Andrew Evans who beat the left back for pace before firing in a fierce shot which was well-saved by the Buxton 'keeper. However the ball fell to Joe Cartwright who's touch was either poor or superb depending on who you believe, but the ball sat kindly for Evans following up his own shot to slot home for 2-0.
HT 2-0
The second half brought an immediate chance for 3-0, a ball from Andy Holliday over the exposed Buxton right back allowed Allen Jones in behind however his effort was over the bar when Dolan was well-placed.
Andrew Evans had a chance to double his tally after taking on the Buxton left back and attempting to lob the 'keeper, however the ball did not have enough on it and was cleared by the defence.
DCFC grabbed their 3rd goal in glorious fashion. An exquisite ball from Andy Holliday split the Buxton centre backs and Dolan raced clear, he took a touch, steadied himself before blasting the ball into the roof of the net.
Ephgrave replaced Dolan up front and immediately became involved as his cross/shot had to be pushed over by the Buxton 'keeper.
3 became 4 for DCFC as a Holliday throw-in was sliced by the Buxton defender under pressure from Ephgrave, the ball fell for Allen Jones who beat the 'keeper and scored from a tight angle.
Buxton continued to play good football in midfield but just could not link up with their strikers and Chris Rixham, in goal for DCFC had very little to do, leading to him demanding to take attacking free-kicks to get involved.
DCFC really should have made it 5 as A neat move between Andy Holliday, Mark Ephgrave and Allen Jones lead to Steven Robinson being in all kinds of space on the left. With a clear run to goal the DCFC right-back (no-one can explain what he was doing there anyway) showed his attacking prowess did not match his defensive ability and the chance went begging.
Buxton were gifted a lifeline when an uncharacteristic mix-up between Rixham and Watling lead to the referree awarding a Penalty for a foul by Rixham. A good penalty was however saved by Rixham diving to his left and he was quickly back up to block the rebound also.
Rixham again pulled off a fine save in the final minutes as Buxton piled forward. The Buxton striker found himself in space for the first time in the match and fired towards goal, only to be thwarted by the excellent Rixham.
FT 4-0
Team (4-3-3)
Jay Gardner (Rixham 45)
Steve Robinson (Mace 70)
Matt Darlington ©
Allen Holliday (S Lambe 60)
Daniel Watling
Joe Cartwright (Robert Cartwright 65)
Andy Holliday
Dominic Rae
Andrew Evans (Hughes 80)
Ashley Dolan (Ephgrave 60)
Allen Jones
Man of the Match: Matthew Darlington