Song: “I Missed Again” by Phil Collins (courtesy of Leland Mayall’s chances) and “Let’s Start Again” by Blazin Squad (courtesy of the whole team)
Good things can come to an end........14 wins on the bounce is a good thing and that good thing came to an end on Saturday in Huddersfield.
Having on paper a very strong squad and on the back of a superb performance confidence had to be high going into this game......however that confidence has to shown on a football field where it matters and for the first time in a long time Diggle didn’t really turn up.
We knew Newsome were going to give us a real tough test, they always do and the first half of this game proved this. Both teams were fully committed to the tackle, to making use of a large pitch and a good playing service, saw chances come and go.
Diggle took the lead 15 minutes into the game when a Matt Taylor cross found Glyn Partington racing in at the far post to head home. Diggle then seemed to allow the ball to bounce more in their half rather than clearing first time, thus causing problems when trying to clear our lines and from this Newsome capitalised and scored 2 goals in a good 15 minute spell for them.
Digg rallied and finished the half the stronger of the two and deservedly went into half time level. Matt Taylor was brought down in the Newsome box. Leland Mayall stepped up to take the penalty and smashed home his 11th goal of the season to make it 2-2 at half time.
Playing down hill second half Digg sensed the chance to take all 3 points and should have taken the lead at the very start. Leland found himself with a glorious opportunity 6 yards out with just the keeper to beat but shot over the bar....should have been a goal..no excuses. Diggle then seemed to lose composure all over the field, shape, energy, vision and resorted to a lot of long balls.
Newsome took the lead with 20 minutes to go after both teams had chances to score. Kieron Mayall came on for his debut and brought some urgency and energy to the game. Mark Lees had a bad blow to the head when he went up for a corner. A clash of heads with a Newsome player saw Lees’s receive a bad gash which was to need stitches. Young Ryan Fitton was pushed up front to help try and get the equaliser.
That equaliser should have come with a Leland Mayall header however his effort from a sweet Matt Taylor cross hit the outside of the post instead of the inside of the net...no excuses.
Time ran out for the Digg and so it was to be.....a 3-2 defeat!
Hopefully we can learn from this. We certainly have the players and the ability to go on another fantastic run.
Not to take anything away from Newsome, they deserved the win, they were well organised, worked hard and played good football.
Diggle didn’t play anywhere near what they are capable of playing and have been playing. Not one player played to their potential, chances were not put away, opponents not marked well or tight enough, poor decisions and weak clearances all mounted up to us returning home without any points.
Let’s make sure we learn from it and get back to winning ways.......another 14 would be nice!
Match report: By Leland Mayall
