Our title hopes were ended in our final away game of the season on a wet night in Bottesford, who were crowned league champions under the floodlights, however Dale Park gave perhaps their best away performance of the season. It was a display we can be proud off and the Barmy Army deserved at least a draw, probably a win. Despite controlling the match, especially in the first half, Park could not do the one thing Bottesford did well, find the back of the net. With the game being played at Birch Park, we knew stamina and tempo would be vital but the games pace started quickly with most of the play being found in midfield. After Bottesford missed a sitter, Dale Park came into their own and dominated the rest of the half Clark looked a threat and Johnstone also found himself in the penalty area a few times but also couldn't find the net. Bottesford took the lead five minutes before the break after Reeder, who had a superb game, let in Callum Pell who layed on the goal for a Bottesford midfielder. Park again rose to the occasion in the second half and started the better but it was Bottesford who again scored at the crucial time. However to put it simply, it should not have been allowed due to a clear push on Finney, before the header from the corner found the roof of the net. Bottesford again sat back for five minutes and did not allow us to create clear cut chances straight after the goal. We pushed again late on, Rhodes who had another great game hit the post and Bottesford managed to clear off the line. Durnian and Johnstone went close late on but it was not to be. However on reflection we can give ourselves great credit for not only outdoing the champions in effort, passing and movement, but also the fact that we had the best chances. The only two things that Bottesford had the edge over us on, were taking their chances as well as their stamina and fitness which was evident at the end. Still though we can be proud and captain Kier Spencer and the players certaintly looked it at the end. Tonight was about the all round team performance, not individuals. All we need now is to win our last 3 games although they all look tough we can beat anyone if we play like this on our own turf. Finally Winterton Comp in action at Rangers tomorrow 4pm kick off for the semi-final against South Axholme.
DP Team: Finney, Tate(Clixby), Spencer(C), Lacey-Hatton, Reeder, Harvey, Wingate, Rhodes, Johnstone(Merrill), Clark, Durnian(Brown)
Official man of the match: Nick Wingate
Blogger man of the match: Matty Harvey
(any of our players deserved it tonight, but Matty along with Wingate dominated the midfield)
PS Well done Bottesford we look forward to welcoming you to our place in a few weeks.
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