Report by Mary Dendy Club Secretary Matthew Eagles:
Having shipped twenty five goals in their last three games Dendy concentrated on defending against Crewe and District team Curshaws and their decision to play Club President Muttley O’Neill just in front of the back four played dividends . O’Neill was outstanding at breaking up play in midfield and limiting the visitors chances to shots from long range and set pieces all of which were dealt with comfortably by returning goalkeeper Stuart Davies who played in the Dendy team that won the competiton in 2007-8. Curshaws just couldn’t break down a determined Dendy backline led by captain Ian Wood and the scores were level at 90 minutes A superb goal four minutes into the second half of extra time from Dan Vickers set up by Shaun Cunningham and Paul Cronshaw rocked the visitors but almost from the restart they equalised as a cross ricocheted off the face of Ian Wood into the path of Gary Gardno who gratefully smashed the ball home from four yards out . A series of well taken penalties had the sides level at 5-5 with Nick Brunker given the opportunity to put Dendy through 6-5 but he pulled his penalty wide of the post to give Curshaws a second chance .
The crucial penalty was taken by Dendy’s goal scorer in extra time Dan Vickers but his well struck spot kick smashed off the underside of the cross bar without crossing the line which meant Curshaws won 7-6 . It was heart breaking for Dendy whose midfield had a combined age of over 170 and kept going for the whole game .
Report by Mary Dendy Assistant Manager David Vickers:
MARY DENDY 6 7 CURSHAWS ON PENALTYS
0-0 after 90 mins 1-1 after extra time
11 valiant men and one first class keeper nearly claimed a shock victory against a Curshaw team who had thrashed Dendy in the cup last year.
Hard work inspired by a first class effort from man of the match Stu in goal and a frustrated Curshaw team full of young quick players were commenting on why is that keeper playing f...or you.
Dendy kept it tight for 90 mins and the times that Curshaws battled their way through a well drilled last gasp tackling defence Stu was more then a match for any effort.
An out on their feet Dendy with only Shep on the bench worked their socks off in extra time and with 8 mins to go of extra time Dan Vickers brought the ball down well on his chest and scored the shock goal that we thought would win it. It didn't last long and a bit of luck for Curshaws and they snatched an equaliser at the near post within a minute.
The penalty shoot out swung from one side to another with both sides missing when the chance to win came. Unlucky for Dan the last penalty hit the underside of the bar and went out. He was disappointed but i wasn't as the way they fought was what mattered today not the result.
Food at the eggerton arms was sausage black pudding chips
coleslaw and banana cake.
Man of the match was Stu in goal
Donkey was Matt for running out of film.
Special mention for Mutley for doing well in front of the back four i don't know where he finds the fitness as a smoker and at 53.
Two good games for newbies Josh and Nick.
The only down side was the fact we had a sparse team and the goal keeper lives in Barnsley.
Plus side the way the team played together, the weather and the food.
