Tenth keeper could not stop 3-0 defeat

Dinnington Town boss Steve Toyne signed his 10th goalkeeper of the season prior to Tuesday’s game at AFC Emley, but the shot stopper was unable to prevent a 3-0 defeat.
Dinnington Town FC Manager Steve Toyne back at Phoenix Park for the Athersley game  (w120908-9b)Dinnington Town FC Manager Steve Toyne back at Phoenix Park for the Athersley game  (w120908-9b)
Dinnington Town FC Manager Steve Toyne back at Phoenix Park for the Athersley game (w120908-9b)

Town’s loyal supporters turned up at Emley wondering who might be between the sticks, and were greeted with the sight of Boyd Sheldon, a late call up to a side that suffered six drop outs prior to kick-off.

Also making his debut on the right wing was Chris Spooner.

Town welcomed back Daniel Neath on the bench, joining Liam Cartledge, while Matt Smith returned to the centre of midfield alongside Michael Trench.

The game started lively enough with Emley quickest out of the blocks, although early efforts came to nothing thanks to great challenges by both Sykes and Taylor.

Town steadily came into the game as Roper put a great ball through for West only to see his shot saved.

Roper then worried thekeeper as a shot-cum-cross was tipped over the bar.

By this point Town had taken the game by the scruff of the neck with Fairweather and Roper combining well for another close call.

Emley fought back only for Sheldon to keep the game goal-less with a great block.

With 20 minutes on the clock Emley took the lead, a break down the right with a cross into the box for the league’s leading goal scorer Flynn to put away a simple tap in.

With the home fans still celebrating Town had the chance to equalise, Fairweather finding Smith who looked odds on to score, but it wasn’t his night as his shot went wide.

With the half nearly over Flynn doubled the lead with a goal via the route one option.

The second half carried on in much the same way, Emley using every chance they could to put in the long balls behind Town’s back four, Dinnington taking any chance to counter attack with Roper a constant threat down the left.

Town went for fresh legs, both Cartledge and Neath getting their chance, Taylor coming off, Fairweather moving to centre-half and Neath taking over where Spooner left off.

With the clock ticking down Emley sealed the win with their captain Paul Sykes heading home to make the scoreline more emphatic.

Town will look back and wonder how another game slipped by, after controlling the game in the first half but going into the break two down it was always going to take something special to come back.

Dinnington are back in action again this Saturday with the visit of Pontefract Collieries,

Kick off at Phoenix Park is at 3pm.

DTFC: Sheldon, Taylor, Sykes, Lepianka, Mayala, Smith, Trench, Jon Roper, Fairweather, Spooner, West. Subs: Cartledge, Neath.