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Sat 12 Sep 2015 · Black Dragon Division North
Dronfield Town Reserves FC
First Team
W Garrity (7'), A Rycroft (16'), M Hague (43')
3
2
D Swingler (31'), (62')
Plenty of potential, but a lack of numbers
Richard Lane13 Sep 2015 - 09:32
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Oh for the luxury of a settled side !
Yet again Kevin O’Neill had to ring the changes as just 11 of Town’s rapidly expanding band of players made themselves available for the first away game of the season on Dronfield’s 3G pitch. Having said that, the players who did turn out gave 100% and had they taken their chances would have returned home with something to show for their efforts. Town’s defence was greatly strengthened by brothers Vlad and Richard Dadu and Aaran Needham, the side containing six players under 21.
The Blues threatened first, Max King getting to a long ball first but seeing his shot over Tom Stannard run a foot wide, but fell behind on 7 minutes, a cross from Matt Hague not cleared and falling to Wayne Garrity who beat Liam Needham at the far post. Newark retaliated with Rhys Stanley finding Dom Swingler who spurned a shooting opportunity to square to Jake Reynolds who was hustled off the ball before he could shoot. Needham was out well to foil Ash Rycroft, but could do nothing to stop a well struck free kick awarded against Vlad Dadu for handball. Despite being two down after just 16 minutes, Town did not drop their heads and on several occasions got past Dronfield’s defence, Kieran Job’s pace causing problems, the youngster going close on 26 minutes his shot across the goal going inches wide. The Blues should have pulled a goal back a minute later, Stanley putting over a perfect cross but Reynolds miskicked in front of goal, and the chance went begging. Four minutes later Town did close the gap, Swingler getting past the defence once more and this time producing a cool finish past the advancing Stannard. As half time approached the home side regained a two goal advantage, Hague’s lofted shot finding the net.
Liam Needham excelled himself several times in the early stages of the second half, seeing the danger as he advanced to head clear from Garrity, and pulling off an outstanding reaction save from a close range header from Aaron Gordon. On 62 minutes a sweeping move involving Stanley and Job ended with Chris Gambles attempt to find his keeper falling short, Swingler pouncing to slip the ball home for his sixth goal of the season. Liam Needham again came to Town’s rescue shortly afterwards, needing every inch of his height to fingertip a dipping free kick from Sam Fisher over the bar. An equaliser again looked likely as Job showed good skills to supply Swingler but his goalbound shot took a late deflection past the post. The Dadu brothers certainly added some pace and steel to the visitors’ defence, Richard showing both as he chased back 40 yards to rob Gordon as he lined up his shot. The home side then had the luxury of three pairs of fresh legs to bring on, though Newark battled to the end, both Job and Stanley forcing Stannard into good late saves.
There’s certainly a lot of potential in the Town squad, but establishing a nucleus who are willing and able to turn out on a regular basis is the key to an improvement in results.
Richard Lane
The Blues threatened first, Max King getting to a long ball first but seeing his shot over Tom Stannard run a foot wide, but fell behind on 7 minutes, a cross from Matt Hague not cleared and falling to Wayne Garrity who beat Liam Needham at the far post. Newark retaliated with Rhys Stanley finding Dom Swingler who spurned a shooting opportunity to square to Jake Reynolds who was hustled off the ball before he could shoot. Needham was out well to foil Ash Rycroft, but could do nothing to stop a well struck free kick awarded against Vlad Dadu for handball. Despite being two down after just 16 minutes, Town did not drop their heads and on several occasions got past Dronfield’s defence, Kieran Job’s pace causing problems, the youngster going close on 26 minutes his shot across the goal going inches wide. The Blues should have pulled a goal back a minute later, Stanley putting over a perfect cross but Reynolds miskicked in front of goal, and the chance went begging. Four minutes later Town did close the gap, Swingler getting past the defence once more and this time producing a cool finish past the advancing Stannard. As half time approached the home side regained a two goal advantage, Hague’s lofted shot finding the net.
Liam Needham excelled himself several times in the early stages of the second half, seeing the danger as he advanced to head clear from Garrity, and pulling off an outstanding reaction save from a close range header from Aaron Gordon. On 62 minutes a sweeping move involving Stanley and Job ended with Chris Gambles attempt to find his keeper falling short, Swingler pouncing to slip the ball home for his sixth goal of the season. Liam Needham again came to Town’s rescue shortly afterwards, needing every inch of his height to fingertip a dipping free kick from Sam Fisher over the bar. An equaliser again looked likely as Job showed good skills to supply Swingler but his goalbound shot took a late deflection past the post. The Dadu brothers certainly added some pace and steel to the visitors’ defence, Richard showing both as he chased back 40 yards to rob Gordon as he lined up his shot. The home side then had the luxury of three pairs of fresh legs to bring on, though Newark battled to the end, both Job and Stanley forcing Stannard into good late saves.
There’s certainly a lot of potential in the Town squad, but establishing a nucleus who are willing and able to turn out on a regular basis is the key to an improvement in results.
Richard Lane
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