A game in which we owed our local rivals a good game after a poor display at home recently against them in very windy conditions which we cost ourselves 3 points.
Pre game the team were told that nothing less than 3 points would be acceptable. We’ve recently found ourselves playing some good football, looking comfortable on the ball an playing in the right areas of the pitch. It was important to start fast on what would be a hard night on a heavy pitch.
As the whistle blew the Dalton lads seemed confident, when in possession the lads looked good, creating a couple of early chances. 5 minutes in and the game pauses due to the referee taking a fall, nobody quite knowing what had happened. Both teams seemed shaken by the incident yet the game continued till the 12th minute when it happened again. After a brief delay and contacting a local referee the game continued under supervision of Lee Rodgers of Furness Cavaliers untill the Referee turned up. This left the Dalton players looking out of sorts and a misjudged pass fell at the feet of Macca Woods who smashed it home from range. Dalton got the their tails up and some lively play from Jonny While down the left created a glimmer of hope. A great attack from Dalton saw them very unlucky in striking the post. A change to the official also minutes later saw a forced early change to be made by Dalton. Gareth Jones limping off saw a shuffle to the pack and a chance for Keith Holmes to get a good run out having scored for the reserves in his previous outing. This shake up seemed to cause a stir for Cavs who struggled to deal with the physicality of the front three (Leech, McMurdo & Holmes). Moments before the half time break Dalton got their much deserved break through when Jonny While crossed the ball into the path of Danny Leech who poked the ball home to which he also injured himself in the process.
HT saw the teams go in at 1-1 the lads reminded that nothing less than a win would be acceptable, it was expressed how their first half display had shown they were there better team but they needed to up their efforts if they wanting to win this match.
The second half saw the sun drop and he dark night start to close in which was going to be testing for both teams. The home side continued to look for the long ball over the top, having no interest in playing any football which played nicely into the hands of the Dalton players allowing them time and space on the ball. Comfortably moving the ball around the pitch. Craig Rutherford who controlling most of the play from midfield was going to have a big say in this game spraying balls all over the park. A few chances went begging for Dalton which showed there control however a missed header at the back post by Keith Holmes did make everyone wonder if this win would be possible. On 63 minutes a long cross field ball by Rutherford found Holmes, a great move was then rounded off by Robbie McMurdo who bundled in his first goal for the Bullets and gave them a 2-1 lead. Moments later Cavs somehow missed the target, striking the post to then only fire over the bar from 8 yards. A very controlled approach by Dalton saw them protect the lead rather than attacking the goal on a number of occasions in an attempt to see the game out. After 80 minutes Dalton were slightly shaken again when CB Kane Fitch, who’s been a rock at the heart of the defence since his return was forced off through injury caused yet another reshuffle in the pack.
The final whistle blew and a very well deserved 3 points to the away side. This takes Dalton to 3 wins in 3 and opens up the gap ahead of local rivals Walney in the bid to keep 5th place.
3 Points - Craig Rutherford 2 Points - Danny Leech 1 Point - Keith Holmes
