Week 3 saw the lions travelling yet again to Dove holes resThe Darley Dale Lions players were joined by David Atterton who it was a pleasure to see as he keeps up his battle and keeps winning. Manager Dean Concannon was forced to make a change in goal with Daniel Insley not available and robert marsen joining Rowsley 86 res the lions had to call on youngster Ben Heathcote to make his debut.In all fairness it might be one Ben will want to forget.The lions started the game in all blue kicking from right to left. To be honest i wouldnt say either team started brightly but Dove holes were gifted the 1st goal as the lions stopper miss judged a shot which ended up in the bottom corner. Minutes later the Lions found themselves 2 goals behind as Dove holes received a free kick some distance out which found its way over the keeper once moreJake Hodkin nearley got one back for the lions as his shot from 20 yard out rattled the bar.Five minutes later the lions manager was forced to remove Liam Ashton due to injury. Things went from bad to worse as Dove Holes added 2 more.Manager Dean Concannon had no choice but to bring off Ben Heathcote as he couldnt revive himself from the earlier mistakes. Liam Ashton came back on in goal and The lions started to respond.Just before half time lions forward Jon Cooper was brought down in the box and the referee awarded the penalty. Keeper or not liam Ashton remains the penalty taker so up he stepped. This guy has missed 1 penalty in nearly 30 taken. He smashed the ball home to make it 4-1 HT
In the half time team talk Dean had no option but to push for another so Ryan Parsley went from back to front and the lions were added another to there tally 5 minutes later a long range effort saw the ball rebound off the keeper for Jon Cooper to send home 4-2.
After seeing some tiring legs out there the lions gaffer made a couple of changes Joe Wragg on for Martin Chivers Travis and Jordan Watts made way for Richard Askew. What an impact from Akey. Did he find a bag of dust in the toilets from last weeks game or was it the Big smoke cloud in the car on the way that did it.Either way he set off like he had a rocket up his arse. He scored his first goal for the club. It was no 30 yards screamer but a tap in from 2 yard out but you have to be there to score. Dove Holes didnt have much in the 2nd half but they should of added another. The ball went over liam Ashtons head and landed over the line but the 80 year old ref couldnt work out whether the buzzing was coming from his watch or whether the batteries were low on his hearing aid.Two minutes later Dove holes were gifted a sloppy goal as jake hodkin steered it into his own net 5-3.
With ten minutes left the game looked gone for the lions but Manager Dean Concannon turned to the bench for one last time and brought on his veteran Matt Allsop. The formation went to a 2-4-4 (yes thats two at the back ) to push for the goals required and the chances were coming. Travis headed just wide the watts hit the post before Matt Allsop sprinted through that fast his hamstrings were playing agadoo. He lifted the ball over the keeper hit the post then rolled across the line before it finally went in 5-4. The ref then called for four minutes stoppage which ive got to be honest it must have been 14 lol.
I cant help myself but say that we gave them a four goal lead to pull it back to 5 all at the death of the game. Callum Musgrave who has played his final game before he heads to uni slotted the ball home. It felt so much like a win but full credit to the boys who dug deep. Full credit to martin travis for his part in the allsop and askew goals assisting both
