DHFC 2 - 3 Asterix Reds (SSLKL Cup)

Two first half goals by Adam Scott gave us a comfortable lead at half-
time. But two DH goals after the break leveled the match and set up 
up an exciting last 10 minutes. We triumphed when Terry Harris 
netted in the final minutes.

We started the first half looking a little ragged but soon settled to 
play some good football. We made all the early running and took the 
lead after 20 minutes when Adam scored the first of his two goals. 
We were camped in the DH half and knocked the ball across the park 
looking for an opening. A Danny Burkhard slide rule pass put Kisho 
in behind the defender. Kisho's ball across the box perfectly picked 
out Adam who slotted home from close range to complete a move that 
was very easy on the eye. Great goal. And, if the first goal can be 
best described as pretty, the second was equally clinical.

With play on the edge of our box, a ball from the back was played 
upfield to Terry Harris on the halfway line. Terry quickly turned 
and released Shashi at full pelt down the right. Shashi used his 
pace to outstrip the defenders. A great ball across found Adam 
running in at speed and he once again finished neatly to make it 
2-0. We continued to dominate and restricted DH to a couple of tame 
shots from distance that were easily dealt with. We came in at half-
time 2-0 up and in complete control of the match.

As the second half began, we lost our shape and gave the ball away 
too easily. DH quickly got themselves back in the match with a goal 
after 5 minutes of the restart. We then got ourselves back on top 
and had three very good chances to kill the match but failed to 
convert. We were punished when DH leveled with about 8 minutes to 
go. DH then created another good chance and only a very good stop 
from Bala - who stood in admirably for Sugu - kept the scores level. 
However, the points were sealed when Terry Harris scored with a fine 
solo effort.

Terry picked up the ball on the halfway line. With little on he 
turned well to beat the first defender and ran towards DH goal. 
Holding off another challenge, Terry put himself through for a one-on-
one with the keeper. The ball was lifted over the keeper and bounced 
toward the far post. It struck the inside of the post and bounced 
across the goal line. Or was it over the goal line? Who can tell? 
Importantly, the linesman (was he of Russian descent?) believed it 
had crossed the goal line and awarded us a goal. 3-2. We played out 
the final minutes and breathed a big sigh of relief at the final 
whistle.

We played some good football today lads, particularly in the first 
half. Both our goals were very pleasing on the eye. We upped our 
intensity and played with a high tempo. This saw us create as many 
chances as we have in recent matches. The back four also did a good 
job of playing up the field to help us keep our shape. We lost our 
shape a little in the second half and we almost let DH in to steal 
the points in a match we had dominated. However, I'm pleased that we 
kept our confidence and belief to get the win. We're now top of our 
cup group and assured of qualification for the cup knockout stages of the tournament.  A win in our final game (versus UK Rovers) will see us finish top of our group.

Next week, there is no league or cup game and we have a friendly on Sunday evening versus the Expat Lions. Get yourselves along to training on Thursday. And most important, we'll have a leaving party for Stef on Friday night, the details of which will be emailed to you from Stu Cavens this week.