Heald Green 2 - 1 D&C Athletic
Sunday 24th January 2010
William Scholes Playing Field, Gatley

D&C Athletic returned to action this weekend after an enforced five week break due to the wintery weather, and our claims of being unbeaten in this calendar year have 'gone down the pan' following a 2-1 defeat against Heald Green.

Despite such a lengthy lay off without any football, the team started the game brightly on a muddy pitch as they did most of the attacking in the opening exchanges. The only reward for our attacking display was lots of corners and some half chances. After the positive start, Heald Green came back into the game as chipped balls over the top from their top-heavy midfield were causing a few problems in the re-jigged back four. Paul Watkins was guilty of one of the misses of the season, as he put a free header wide following a precise cross from Martyn Barlow. Watkins miss was to be emulated by a Heald Green player towards the end of the match!

D&C took the lead perhaps against the run of play, as Gareth Harley bagged his fifth goal of the season with a close range effort which he bundled home with various parts of his body. The joy of the goal proved too much for Gaz, as he celebrated his opener by going for a pooh in the changing room. The loss of the key midfielder whilst he went for a toilet break showed on the pitch, as Heald Green were gifted a way back into the game from the penalty spot following a rash tackle inside the area from two D&C players. Heald Green didn't take the opportunity that was presented to them, as their centre back blasted the spot kick over the bar with the ball last seen heading for Uranus.

The home sides dominance towards the end of the first half was rewarded as they scored an equalising goal following what was without doubt the move of the match. Some lovely football was played down their right wing before defender Dean Couling fired an unstoppable effort past his own keeper from around six yards out as the ball was whipped into the box.

Fresh instructions were given at half time to the demoralised troops and there was a marked improvement in the football played from D&C in the second half. Although they were being limited to half chances, the visitors certainly enjoyed the majority of the play in the second half with Atem Eyong proving once again to be a handful. It wasn't until the last fifteen or so minutes in the game that our lack of fitness work over the past month was exposed, as Heald Green came on very strong towards the end of the game.

The hosts were guilty of missing several very good chances to take the lead, although we were finally punished in the last minute of the game when a left wing cross was converted at the back post with Adam Cummins helpless in the D&C goal.

After five weeks without any football, it was no surprise that some of our players were breathing out of their arses towards the end of the game. Similar to pre-season matches, we've got stronger as we've got games under our belts and this will hopefully prove to be the case now that the season has finally got underway again. We are due to play Heald Green again next week where we will hopefully be able to avenge this defeat by Phil Mellor's side.

Match stats : Season stats : Fixtures / Results