Ding Dong derby was re-written this game as 2 of Darlaston's finest teams met on Sky Sports first Super Sunday of the new season, there was plenty paper talk and pre-game banter which I'm sure fueled both sides up for a fantastic game!
Gabbas lined up with the bare 11, having to call Elwell up between the sticks to replace the Bowater after making a poor decision to work rather than play the biggest game of his career, fans favourite and starlet of the last game Mcinerney was also missing due to work commitments, a no show from Alex Jones, and poor excuse Watson showed up looking like a homeless person in no fit state to grace a pitch. Apart from all the negatives there was one name on the team sheet that excited the fans and players alike, step up former Darlaston Town hot prospect and current Chasetown forward Danny Dubidat! Gabbas set up in a 4-4-2 with Elwell (GK) Sherwood (LB) Schofield (RB) Hall (CB) Page (CB) Gibbons (LM) Ludbrook (RM) Kelly (CM) Mason (CM & Captain) Wiles (CF) Dubidat (CF).
Both teams looked lively as DCA started out as many had predicted energetic and lively leaving the boot in on almost every challenge, a couple of early crosses put in by pacey winger Sammy Giles were mis-directed and over hit causing no trouble for the Gabbas back four or keeper, the only chance fell to the old head DCA had fielded up front who punted one towards the bottom corner which was comfortably saved by Elwell. Despite what the big times of Darlaston thought the midfield partnership of Kelly and the King dealt with the 3 centre midfield players DCA had fielded even George Price the ringer bought in for this game after beginning pre-season at Gabbas, this was shown as the ball was spread out wide by Kelly to the pacey right winger from Gabbas (Ludbrook) who pin pointed a cross onto the leaping Dubidat to whip a header on target which was parryed by the DCA keepers floppy wrists and over the line for the first goal of the game, moans and groans were heard by the DCA players, and an on-looking Aaron Morris wondering how the number 1 jersey for DCA was stripped from him. 1-0 Gabbas.
With the DCA players ruffled the Gabbas lads siesed the oppurtunity to apply more pressure passing around the DCA like statues, Ricky Kelly and Steven Mason were magnificient in the middle linking up with Gibbo and Ludbrook on both wings with Dubidat dropping off regularly to collect the ball and launch another attack, putting the DCA defence under pressure, this was shown as a simple backpass was chased down by the pacey Dubidat, lovely nothing swing by the DCA keeper and staright into the DCA net. 2-0 Gabbas.
By now the DCA lads were riled, and it showed as a few late, hefty and dirty challenges were put in as the Gabbas lads knocked the ball round with ease. Although the star man for DCA George Price still looked dangerous as his experience showed keeping the ball and not losing his head. The DCA managed to thread a ball through and in behind the gabbas defence and the DCA forward was in on goal only to be bought down by Sherwood with a blind challenge from behind, penalty to DCA which was struck well into the bottom corner, Elwell could only get a finger to it but not enough to deflect wide or out of the goal. 2-1 Gabbas.
The run of play evened up and the star man for DCA Price pulled the strings again finding space and putting a shot to the left of Elwell to pull it back to 2-2.
Debutant Dubidat caused trouble again as he burst into the box knocking the ball around the DCA centre half who wouldn't let Dubidat pass him bringing him down, referee pointing straigh to the spot. Dubidat stepped up to finish what he had started leaving the DCA keeper still standing calmly stroking the ball into the net to put Gabbas into the lead for the second time. Gabbas 3-2.
Yet again George price had to spoil the party when he dribbled around 4 of the Gabbas players to strike another ball past Elwell who perhaps should of done better. 3-3.
Gibbons was looking lively on the left wing even after being out with the Gaffa until Half 5 in the morning, keeping the ball well with this nifty footwork, this obviously wasn't to the DCA players liking when 2 players thought it right to go through the back of him on the stroke of half time, and actually appeal that it wasn't a free kick. No room for big times. Half time 3-3.
Bumble finally showed to swap with Elwell and take up his usual place in goal, giving the Gabbas lads a much needed sub, and the second half started as the first half ended more late challenges which gifted a free kick to Kelly who slotted it in the bottom corner with no effort from the DCA keeper to make it 4-3 Gabbas.
It wouldn't of been a Sunday morning Gabbas game without our resident goal machine Ruud Van Wiles piping up with a goal, and what a goal it was, again Dubidat was involved switching the ball onto Sherwoods head who nodded it down into the path of Wilesy, pinging the shit out of it from 35 yards passed the DCA keeper.
Gabbas 6th and final goal came from the 3 best players on the pitch for Gabbas a well worked free kick played short into Masons path by Kelly who fired across the box for Dubidat to pass into the net.
To be quite honest I don't see much point in commenting any further on the DCA performance, so instead I will sumarise in a few simple words. The experienced DCA players couldn't be faulted, George Price didn't put a foot wrong, Sammy Giles' pace always looked frightening if he could of made those crosses more accurate Gabbas would of been in trouble, Pigeon on the wing was steady, the skipper looked deadly on every corner and Ryan Mac looked strong at the back when needed, apart from that......not so big time afterall. D C Who?? Whispers from some of Darlaston's most experienced managers, coaches and players who watched made it quite clear who the deserved winners should have been, but don't confuse this with sour grapes, Gabbas deserved the victory, and let's hope there's a cup meeting in the coming season, because in the words of Kevin Keegan......I will love it if we beat them!
