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DAFC (W&E) report.

Danson signed off their 2008/09 season with Senior Cup semi-final defeat to holders Baldon Sports at the Co-Op Ground.

Albion welcomed back Bill Standen in midfield and Kenny Weed in attack and lined up with a 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to deny Baldon space and get bodies forward from midfield in support of lone striker Weed. Brad Hunt joined Gary South on the substitute’s bench. In the early exchanges Baldon enjoyed the lions share of possession and with Albion failing to retain the ball in the attacking third, found themselves having to defend for large chunks of play.

For the opening 20 minutes Albion coped with what was thrown at them without creating for themselves, but in a repeat of the two sides league encounter last month, two quick fire goals left Albion with a mountain to climb, as Baldon produced two moments of magic to race into a 2-0 lead. Referee Michael Stevens penalised Pike for an innocuous foul 25 yards out and the Baldon free kick paired accuracy and power to smash into the top corner giving Preston little chance in goal.

Five minutes later the lead was doubled. A pass wide to Kersey was intercepted by Baldon’s tricky left winger who laid it wide as their midfielder cut in from a crossing position and curled over Preston into the top right corner. Without a goal in their previous two games and with just two to their name since the departure of top scorer Nas Harris, Albion knew they faced a tough challenge but prepared to give it their best shot. Waddell denied Baldon a third with a late sliding tackle before going close to halving the deficit at the other end.

A Simon Neill corner was met by Pike and with back to goal Waddell tried to turn it home but the Baldon ‘keeper rushed back and grabbed it just in time. Pike, and more importantly the referee, saying the ball was only ¾ the way over the line. A goal back before the interval may have given Albion hope and perhaps lead to in-arguments in the Baldon camp but it was not to be.

Waddell tried to remain upbeat at half time with the next goal proving crucial whilst Preston lamented the team for lacking basic communication. Danson pushed two into attack for the second half in the hope of retaining the ball up front and relieving some pressure on the back four but despite this more positive outlook, were reduced to long range shots that hardly tested the Baldon ‘keeper. Brad Hunt was introduced in place of Dave Kersey at right back and later Gary South in place of Kenny Weed in attack, however Albion’s lack of cutting edge meant they had little hope of over turning the deficit and a third goal ten minutes from time booked Baldon’s place in the final.

In the final ten minutes many of Danson’s men gave up and Baldon’s tricky winger, now operating on the right flank, added two more cutting in on his favourite left foot to put an exclamation mark on the victory as Stevens blew for full time.

Waddell was enraged with his side giving up in the closing moments not only of this game but also their season. Though Baldon’s quality is there for all to see and the third goal guaranteed the matches outcome, Albion should continue to play with pride until the final whistle. Despite a progressive mid table debut campaign amongst the LKB’s elite in which relegation was never an issue, a lack of competition for places throughout the course of the season may have occasionally been Danson’s downfall. Next season Albion will look to progress and enjoy the benefits of a larger and re-invigorated squad they will look to assemble close season.

Team: Preston, Kersey (Hunt), Waddell, Pike, Lilley, Neill, Wayment, Longville, Standen, Holloway, Weed (South)