Merry Xmas

Just to say a quick merry xmas and a happy new year from everyone at the blog. Lets hope 2010 will be as good as 09. Next game is Jan 10th at home to Messingham. Thanks as well to all blog readers.

Bottesford Game Off

Game v Bottesford postponed due to frozen pitch. Re-arranged for Feb 14th.

Dale Park V Bottesford

Despite the combination of the big freeze and snow showers tomorrow's game at home to Bottesford has not yet being called off (writing at 8pm Saturday night). Although no snow is forecast for tomorrow, it will depend on how much snow has fallen over this Saturday night and whether the pitch becomes iced. However if the game is on Park will only have Ell Brown missing from the squad, and Danny Tate may make his debut tomorrow.
PS
As soon as news comes about a possible postponement we will let you know.

Epworth 3-3 Dale Park

Dale Park produced a spirited late comeback to prevent a fourth defeat in a row and get a point at rivals Epworth, a side who have one of the best home records in the league. The game started off well for the Barmy Army who had early chances through Lewis Clark and Ryan Reeder, Reeder headed just wide. Clark then produced a moment of magic on the edge of the area, belting it in off the upright with the keeper motionless. Epworth somehow got back into it through a lucky corner that swerved in the air before finding Ryan Beautmont at the back post to head level. Dale Park kept up the pressure by dominating the rest of the half Jordan Merrill went close and Jack Rhodes then hit the bar. Lewis Clark also saw his header go over after good build up by Rhodes and Lacey-Hatton. However it was star of the game Clark who put Park back in front with another goal of the season contender. His free kick effort was a good 25 yards out before nestling in the top corner of the goal, sending the Barmy Army wild. Despite creating more good chances Dale Park could not get the crucial goal to kill off the game. In the second half we struggled more on a pitch, that was so boggy at times it was difficult to clear. Epworth got a lucky equalizer after, a free kick deflected in off Matty Harvey. Then Epworth scored a third despite a suspicion of offside. Dale were not done with yet though and after Jack Clixby took one for the team, making a well timed block and went off injured, Ell Brown came on to good use linking up well with Jack Rhodes. After Epworth failed to clear a long free kick the ball came out to Lacey-Hatton who threaded it through to Artour Johnstone who had made a great diagonal run then superbly finished past the onrushing Epworth keeper to make it 3-3 with 5 minutes left. Even keeper Ash Finney joined in with the wild celebrations. We nearly won it right at the end but Rhodes shot was well saved by the Epworth keeper. A well earned point sets us up nicely for a crunch must win home game next week against undefeated Bottesford.

DP Team: Finney, Clixby(Brown), Lacey-Hatton, Reeder, Spencer(C), Harvey, Rhodes, Wingate, Merril, Clark(2), Durnain(Johnstone(1))


Other Scores
Bottesford 4-2 Westwoodside
Barton Juniors 2-2 Brigg Town

Blogger M.O.M : Lewis Clark
Mangers M.O.M: Jack Lacey-Hatton

Westwoodside 3-1 Dale Park

Despite a much improved display, some poor weather and poor referee cost us dear and condemned the Barmy Army to a third defeat in a row, all away from home. The day was all but decided in the first 5 minutes. In one of the worst starts to a game this side has ever made Park were 2 down very quickly with both goals coming after moves down the left side. The first flew in with help from the wind the second Finney found to hot to handle. However for the rest of the half we much improved, efforts from Durnian and Clark early signs. Then a moment of magic from Jack Rhodes after twisting and turning Rhodes then hit a curling shot into the corner of the Westwood goal. Dale then went for it but we knew our luck was probably out when Wingate was denied a certain goal when his shot was headed off the line. The second half was much more of a struggle for Park with the wind and slopey pitch making it hard to sometimes clear it past the halfway mark. Any chance of a decent finale was wiped out after the referee decided to control and slow the game down, as well as allowing some potentially dangerous tackles. His worst mistake perhaps came when linesman Paul Clixby signalled for a certain offside and the referee continued to wave play on despite both teams stopping. He then proceeded to tell both teams that every decision was up to him not his linesmen. More chances came our way with Clark hitting the post. However it was almost inevitable that the Doncaster lads got another and after a horrifying tackle on Wingate was allowed to pass and the opponents then went up the other end and scored, amidst another 50/50 offside. With Epworth next week yet another away game, and leaders Bottesford at home the following Sunday things may get worst before they get better.

Westwoodside V Dale Park

We return to league action on Sunday by making the longest away trip of the season to play Westwoodside Rangers. The opponents are fourth in the league and have won there last two matches scoring sixteen and keeping clean sheets in both. Earlier in the season when Westwoodside visited us we won 3-0 goals coming from Rhodes, Clark and the since left Ryan Ingham. Later in the day Bottesford face Barton and if the Humber boys do us a favour and win, we could still end the day top. A win for Westwoodside would put them just two points behind us. tomorrow along with next week is perhaps our last throw of the dice in regards to the title. As for team news despite having two broken knuckles Elliott Brown is expected top play some part. Reeder is a doubt after missing training and Tate wont make his debut just yet, Epworth away next week or Bottesford at home on the 20th is a more realistic target.