Report

DCFC Avenge Shoot-out defeats.

Chorley 1 vs 3 DCFC

Sat 26^th May 2012

Devachat FC avenged a duo of penalty shoot-out defeats to Chorley, with a fine win in an 11-a-side game, which could have been by a greater margin if truth be told.

In the end, all of DCFC’s goals were scored in a first half, which the away side were totally dominant at set-pieces.

Andy Evans, returning to the team after a lengthy spell out, could have put DCFc into the lead within the first few minutes, racing in behind the Chorley defence and bringing a good save out of their ‘keeper. He was not to be denied later however, a Hutchison corner found him unmarked, and he rose to head the ball into the corner of the net.

The goal gave the striker a massive boost after a big miss at Bury in the last game and he went on to become unplayable during a first half where he terrorised the home defence with his running and work rate.

He had an able partner in Michael Field who, with 15 minutes gone, put the away side 2-0 up, scoring with a header, much to everyone’s surprise. Salmon was the provider with a long throw into the box, which somehow found the shortest player on the pitch.

In truth, he perhaps should have had 2 headed goals, a Hutchison free kick again found Field near the back-post, but he could not get over the ball and the ball came off the top of his head, looping over the bar.

Both teams had difficulty with the hard pitch creating a high-bouncing ball, and DCFC were given a warning after letting the ball bounce into the area, allowing the Chorley striker to have a shot on goal, fortunately for DCFC, not finding the target.

In fairness, Chorley were now coming into the game, and the tall left winger was causing problems in the air, leading to another warning shot for DCFC that thankfully flashed wide. Dubutant goalkeeper Toby Lee, also had a hairy moment after mis-judging another high ball, but DCFC scrambled it away to safety.

Andy Evans continued to be a threat up front and Dave King produced the pass of the match setting him through on goal. Evans still had a lot to do with a defender at his back, the defender shoved him in the area, but rather than go down for the penalty, Evans used the momentum to smash home at the near post for 3-1.

HT 1-3

Changes at Half time saw Andy Holliday come on for Lukowski and Ash Dolan enter the field after an ankle injury we thought would end his season. Both players we to go on and hit the woodwork in a half which pretty much mirrored the first.

Ash Dolan had the first chance of the half, turning and hitting a shot which went over the bar.

Dolan then turned provider, rolling the ball across for Holliday whose fierce shot beat the ‘keeper, but not his left-hand post. Roles were soon reversed with Dolan receiving the ball from Holliday and took the shot on, hitting the crossbar.

Andy Evans missed a chance for his hat-trick heading wide from a Hutchison Corner. A further Hutchison set-piece found Holliday who could just not quite stretch enough to divert the ball goal-wards, heading wide.

At the other end, Chorley had introduced their own substitute who was having a bearing on the game. Up front their version of Yakubu Ayegbeni was causing Dutton problems with his size and strength.

Goalkeeper Lee had to be on hand to tip over a Chorley effort from the right, and a further shot from range hit the DCFC crossbar. Chorley were definitely having a better second half and got the goal they probably deserved with 15 minutes left. Lee misjudging a long ball allowing Yakubu to finish from a reasonably acute angle.

Chorley were galvanised by this but the DCFC stood strong and could have extended their lead, Hutchison hit over from a free-kick, and Field had a chance to grab his second late on, but the game finished 1-3.

FT 1-3

Team 4-4-2

Lee

Dixon

Mace © (Churchman 55)

Dutton

Salmon

Lukowski (Holliday 45)

Hutchison

King

Pritchard

Field (Dolan 45)

Evans

MOTM - Evans