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Sunday 13th April 2008

Danson Albion 2-3 FC Delaravan

Danson Albion reserves had a disappointing end to their first season as they were defeated 3-2 by FC Delaravan at a wet Meridian.

Danson were without inform Jack Smidmore (Illness), Chris Porter (Holiday) and Lee Colquhoun (Injury) for there last game and adding this to the long term injured Brooks and Lillitos this left the team with just 11 players for the game with Jof Radley and Nips being called up as emergancy substitutes.

After slight delay in kick off due to road closure with the London Marathon the game eventually got on the way. Delarvan seemed to start the brighter despite only starting with 10 players Danson soon got into there stride however and force pressure through some early corners without creating many chances.

It was Delaravan who got the games first breakthrough when they were awarded a controversial free kick on the edge of the area which was well curled home by the Delaravan player. Danson regrouped well though and quickly hit back when Dave Liu scored his 11th goal of the season for the equaliser. With some dubious offside calls from the referee Danson couldn't build on the equaliser despite some pressure. Delaravan thought they had gone infront before half time but the goal was disallowed for a pull on Barry before the ball was put in the net.

Danson knew at half time they would need to up there game in the second half if they were going to get anything from the game but it was again Delaravan who came out the stronger after the break and they went back infront when they cut in from the left side and Jon Silley couldn't quite stop the ball from going in on the goalline. Delaravan were starting to look stronger and played some good football with Danson not getting into the game in the opening period. Danson did hit back though when Steve Burke added to his goal tally when calmly finishing from a through ball. Nips was also given his debut coming on for the injured French.

Danson needed to push on and Radley Jr was brought on to try and inject some pace into the frontline. Danson couldn't really create many chances but Joel Graham was unlucky with a long range effort that just went wide, while Stephan had to be alert on several occasions to deny the visitors. With the game seemingly heading for a draw Delaravan got the winner late in the game when they headed home from a corner. Another late goal conceded by Albion which had been a problem with the team all season. Delravan then had a chance to put the game to rest when Radley tripped an attacker in the area but they couldn't take advantage with the penalty going wide of the Albion goal.

The referee blew the final whistle with Albion losing the game 3-2 and a disappointing end to the season. Lesson's must be learnt from the difficult first season and Albion must push on next season with the management looking to strenghen the squad in the summer.

Team: Stephan, M.Radley, Silley, Hewitt, Semaine, French (Nips) Liu, Barry, Graham, Melbourne (J.Radley) Burke