DBFC Vets 3 – 1 KCC Monarchs
When: 07 November 2022 with 21:00 KO
Where: Kings Park pitch 2
Squad: Bradders, Tita (Captain), Nin, Ping, Morse, Tong, San, Kwai, Sammy, Dog, DJ, Ben, Nik, Emerson and Stephane.
Scorers: DJ x2 and Tong.
DBFC Vets had a few faces back this week from injury (Stephane and Tong) and some taking their first game of the season (Nik and Dog) which was welcome timing as other regular Vets couldn’t make this game for various reasons. So once again we had a very strong squad to face a KCC team that have improved over the years with the introduction of new younger players and are masters of playing on their home pitch, which is very narrow resulting in congested football.
The game started well for DBFC, keeping possession with good passing but couldn’t really penetrate the KCC defence. It was clear soon after kick-off that KCC’s main strategy was to defend strongly and counter attack and this they did very well. The KCC goal keeper proved himself decent after the first 15 minutes in cutting out crosses, being quick off his line to sweep-up DBFC through balls to their forwards and quick reaction saves. That KCC keeper had a good game to stop DBFC on numerous occasions.
Tong and San were doing well in CM and Sammy LM and Kwai RM were getting many crosses into the box that DJ nearly got on the end of. Sammy’s pace down the left got to the by-line many times but his cross just wasn’t telling. After 20 minutes Tong went to RM and Kwai stepped into CM with San. This move instantly gave a better balance to DBFC, with Tong’s pace telling down the right side and Kwai being very composed on the ball at CM.
It was not long after this player position reshuffle that DBFC got the breakthrough for their first goal; some nice passing through midfield came to Kwai in the middle of the KCC half and he made a pass through the KCC defence for DJ’s well timed run to pick up outside the KCC goal box just ahead of the out rushing KCC keeper and round him to slot into an empty net.
DBFC’s tails were up and their lots of attacking play didn’t result in a converted goal. During this time KCC kept counter attacking well to keep the DBFC back 4 on their toes and Bradders needed to stay alert. On one close encounter from KCC his dive to save resulted in him tweaking his hamstring but fortunately DBFC’s warrior keeper was just ok to continue after a gentle rub up from Gaffer Gaz and his reflection that on this cold and wet night senior citizens need a good stretch of their fading muscles.
After 25 minutes Dog came off to be replaced at no. 10 by Stephane and the pattern of DBFC’s attacking and KCC counter attacks continued. Kwai had a good downward header from a Sammy cross incredibly saved on the line by the KCC keeper and DJ met a cross at the 6-yard box that looked a certain goal but the KCC keeper and defender threw themselves to the ground in front and miraculously found that they had trapped the ball between themselves, not knowing where it was, to deny a DBFC goal.
It was 5 minutes before half-time that DBFC’s second goal came when some nice passing sent Sammy down the left side yet again and his long cross to the far post area of the KCC box was picked up by Tong coming in from the right to make a low driven shot passed the KCC keeper into the inside of the opposite post.
The second half started with Nik on for Kwai to join San at CM and other positions staying the same. DBFC resumed with the majority of the game and making attack after attack. The DBFC defence remaining active dealing with KCC fast midfield turning loss of DBFC possession into instant counter attack. DBFC’s third goal came after Nik regained possession in midfield and after some interplay with San dinked a ball forward to Stephane, who’s first time pass with the outside of his left foot through the KCC back line allowed DJ to break through and collect to slot a pass cum shot into the bottom corner of the KCC goal. DBFC were 3-0 up but not left comfortable by a KCC side that just didn’t give up.
Ben came on for Tong after 10 minutes of the second half to play RM and Stephane came off soon after for Dog to re-enter to game. After 20 minutes gone in second half Emerson came on at LM to give a tired Sammy a break. Kwai came back on to do the last 15 minutes for Ping at RB.
DBFC saw a couple of good chances go begging shortly after their 3 goal but the last 15 minutes saw KCC continually press the DBFC defence and with 10 minutes to go got just reward. DBFC failed to clear a ball into their box that bounced around, ricochet and was finally flicked past Bradders. KCC could see a comeback but DBFC held on. In fact, during this time KCC left their defence light and 3 or 4 counter attacks by DBFC should have been finished but weren’t. One speculative attempt by Captain Tita, lofting a drive from his own half, sailed over the KCC keeper and came back off the cross bar.
DBFC worked hard for this win and all players put in a good hard working shift.
