Today was set to be a great day for football. Two teams pushing for a top 5 finish. Both teams with some very good results this season. The home team with a slight advantage over today’s opponents after beating them at Kendal.
The game started very slow with the home side looking flat, a strong icy wind was blowing down the pitch into the Dalton faces which was showing that it was going to effect the game. The home team continued to try and play football but were playing through the air on a regular basis which was then effected by the wind. A brief laps in concentration whilst the ball moving through air with the wind saw a mix up between goalkeeper Phill Rigg and CB Kane Fitch which allowed the Kendal player to slot the ball into a empty net, not only leaving the Dalton boys feeling slightly bewildered to what had happened but also the goalkeeper left in a heap on the floor with what proved to be a costly error forcing him to make a early exit from the game minutes later due to a nasty knee injury. With no goalkeeper on the bench outfielder Jonny While grabbed the goalie top, gloves and a cap and set about a new unexpected role for the day. After the restart and a reshuffle due to the substitute Dalton were allowed to pass the ball freely. A very good opportunity crafted from a teasing deep cross by Andy Frazer was met by the ever present Gareth Jones, however the chance went begging to which the home team wondered if it was going to be one of those days. 5 minutes before the break Dalton were eventually rewarded for their efforts when a poorly cleared cross met the head of Jack Hurst who calmly cushioned the ball into the path of Frazer Shand to slip the ball past the goalkeeper with a very cool finish.
HT and it was mentioned to the lads about how flat the first half had been and how choosing to kick through the air in the wind was the wrong option reminding them to do what we’ve been working on, playing it on the floor between the lines. A polite reminder was also put to the players about our targets as a team and what a result today would mean to the league.
The lads seemed positive and ready to take the game to the visitors.
In the second half the Home team now had the wind at there backs, the two wide players were switching on a regular basis and there was a calm fluid look about the team. It was also noted that the visitors had changed formation into a 4-3-3 which helped the Home team to create bigger gaps when in possession.
The game was slow and neither goalkeeper greatly tested. A couple of good strikes from Gareth Jones hitting the stanchion from distance and Rhys Forbes whistled on past the post were the highlights in the final third for the Home team . At the opposite end stand in goalkeeper made a brilliant save from a close range 1v1 and also from a free kick that moved in flight nearly causing him embarrassment. The game was looking all but over and a draw seemed likely until a long throwing into the box on 85 minutes was flicked on by Danny Leech who’s physical presences had caused problems throughout however this time the defender adjudged to have pushed him with two hands, the referee was in clear view and blew for a penalty to which Gareth Jones clamly slotted away to round his all time goal scoring record up to 600. The lads slowed the game down and saw the final 5 minutes out in what certainly wasn’t the prettiest of games but ended up being a very important 3 points for the team.
Some special mentions for today - Phill Rigg on a speedy recovery following his injury???? - Jonny While for happily playing in nets and keeping himself a clean sheet ?? - Keith Holmes for sitting on the clubhouse and recording the game in very windy conditions???? ?? - Gareth Jones for hitting another landmark with his goals ????
3 Points - Craig Rutherford 2 Points - Jonny While 1 Point - Danny Leech
