Danson Albion Football Club

	Click here for DAFC Reserves report.
HARRIS HAT-TRICK HITS THE SPOT Danson returned to action following a six week winter break as they travelled to Rutland Park to face fourth placed Germains on Sunday. Without key men Standen, Robinson and Pearce and having suffered defeat to their counterparts earlier in the season, the odds seemed to be stacked against the visitors in a game that would go a long way in determining this years Senior One Runners Up and subsequent promotion spot. Returning to the starting line-up were Hawkes, Holloway and Weed leaving a bench of Kersey and Neill. Manager Preston named Matt Pike as captain playing in the ‘Pikelele’ holding midfield role and warned his team against a slow start as referee John Bradbury got the game underway. The early stages were evenly contested with Danson not fully in the swing and looking like a team who had endured a prolonged absence from action. The first clear cut chance fell to the hosts Germains when a ball over the top was latched onto by Germains number 9 who rounded Cairns in the Danson goal but was denied by a last ditch challenge from Waddell. Soon after Danson broke the deadlock. Harris picked up the ball facing away from goal, turned and nutmegged his opponent before bending the ball into the top right corner. Minutes later Harris conjured another moment of magic, to double his teams advantage. After his through ball attempt was intercepted the ball fell back to Harris who hit it on the half volley from 25 yards and the ball smashed in off the underside of the crossbar to put Danson in control. Danson nearly hit a third through an unlikely source. Weed picked the ball up on the right hand side and his far post centre was latched onto after a storming run from left back Hawkes, who smashed his volley over the house behind the goal from six yards. Hawkes’ wait for his first Danson goal continues. At half-time Preston was less then enthused with his teams performance and highlighted the importance of the next goal stating that Germains were more then capable of turning the tie should they get first blood in the second period. Unfortunately for the hosts Danson had other ideas. Nas Harris has never scored a hat-trick before despite scoring twice on a number of occasions but on this kind of form it seemed only a matter of time before he did. Harris notched his and Danson’s third on around 55 minutes with a more predatory strike then his wonder first two. From then on the three points were always going to be Danson’s and it seemed a question of how many. As Albion piled on the pressure they were awarded a penalty on the hour after a Germains defender was adjudged to have handled in the box by Bradbury. Longville was given the nod but was forced to wait for what seemed an eternity as Bradbury talked to a number of Germains protesters. Usually so cool from the spot, Longville blazed over off the top of the crossbar. Minutes later another penalty was awarded to the visitors. This time the impressive Germains ‘keeper collided with the advancing Wayment and Bradbury pointed to the spot a second time. Preston gave the responsibility to captain Pike whose effort crept into the bottom left corner. Goal scorers Pike and Harris were replaced with Neill and Kersey. Wayment and Weed had chances to increase Danson’s lead and it was Weed whose persistence was rewarded. After an initial shot was blocked Weed smashed home the rebound to make it 5 and score his third in two appearances. On course for their record win Danson seemed to run out of gas in the final 15 minutes, hardly surprising given their lay off and emphatic performance during the first 75. Within that period Germains hit a consolation to deny Danson the clean sheet they seeked. A cross from Danson’s right hand side was latched onto by Germains striker, under close attention from Lilley and the ball ricocheted off the defender mis-footing Cairns in the Danson goal and creeping into the bottom left corner. Bradbury blew time on the match as Danson celebrated their record victory against one of their promotion rivals, earning revenge for the early season home defeat. Next week attentions turn to the Mary Wiltshire Shield and a home match with Inter Two side Petts Wood. With the likes of Standen, Robinson and Pearce to return to the squad Danson will look to book themselves into the Quarter Finals and continue their winning run. PLAYER RATINGS Cairns 7, Hunt 7, Waddell 7, Lilley 7, Hawkes 7, Pike 7 (Kersey 6), Wayment 8, Longville 8, Holloway 7, Harris 9, (Neill 6), Weed 7
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Click here for DAFC Reserves report.

HARRIS HAT-TRICK HITS THE SPOT