This weeks game saw Diggle host Britannia at Churchill with the morning pitch inspection by the referee declaring the match ON!
Before we get into the match, we must first make our apologies to Britannia for the lack of changing room facilities before and after the game, very poor. A letter of complaint is on its way to Oldham Council.
May we also pass on our sincere gratitude to our friends at Uppermill Football Club for allowing us to use their facilities.
Into the game and both sides started the game quite brightly, with some decent football being played, despite the uneasy playing surface and some undoubtedly rusty players.
It took less than 10 minutes for Diggle to make the breakthrough and it came from a very clever passage of play. A route-one clearance from stand-in goal keeper Paul ‘the cat’ Wood led to a clever header from winger Ryan Fitton, into the path of Richard Devy whose pin-point pass played in Lee Clarke on the left. A clever side-step left him with only the keeper to beat and a smart left foot shot beat the keeper easily to put the home side 1-0 up.
Britannia had some half decent spells of football but very rarely troubled the Diggle defence and Paul Wood was kept very quiet (apart from his shouts of instructions to his back 4!)
Perhaps the best chance of the game for Britannia came midway through the first half when some clever play saw Britannia’s striker go through into Diggle’s penalty area, superb tracking back by right wing Ben McNamara and with what he describes as an innocent shoulder barge, put the Britannia player on the floor and played the ball away from the danger area. Britannia had a serious claim for a penalty, which was turned down by the referee. In the words of Paul Wood himself, ‘I’d have saved it anyway!’
Diggle then went straight back on the offensive, creating numerous chances and it was centre forward Matthew P Taylor who secured Diggle’s 2nd, a shot on goal was flicked on by the head of Taylor at close range, 2-0!
The miss of the game has to be given to Mr Richard Devy, a Diggle corner found its way to Richard at the back post only 2 yards out, whose shot should have found the back of the net, but could only find the crossbar!!!
Another great chance fell to Leland Mayall, a quality ball over the visitors defence by right winger Ryan and a good run from Leland, left Leland with only the keeper to beat, but it was a “bubbly surface” that saw Leland slice the ball wide of goal.
Half time and with Diggle pretty much in control of the game, Manager Ady had a relatively easy team talk, However, he still highlighted a few points that he wanted the lads to improve on.
With Britannia having some decent spells in the game it was vital that Diggle got the next goal so as to not let the visitors back into the game.
Into the 2nd half and it was Diggle who were to get the next goal and it came from Matthew P Taylor 10 minutes into the half. A determined run saw him and the ball bundled over the line for his 2nd and Diggles 3rd.
Subsequent changes with 30 minutes left saw the front two replaced by Stephen Scoltock and Glyn Partington, and winger Lee Clarke replaced by Kieron Mayall.
With fresh legs came even more dominance of the game for the home side, one of Diggles many chances saw Scoltock race past the visitors centre half, beaten for pace the big centre half chose to bring down the striker.
Diggles 4th came from some clever inter-linking between Scoltock and Partington, leaving Scoltock with a one-on-one with the keeper. He finished perfectly with a shot underneath the advancing Keeper.
Another great chance fell to substitute Kieron Mayall, who had a lively game when he came on. A flicked-on ball from Scoltock would have seen Mayall through on goal, however, a goal hungry Glyn tried to score himself but was deemed to have been in an offside position.
Full time and it was a good victory for the home side and a welcome 3 points, Britannia are a good side and are well organised, they will win more than they lose this season.
A fantastic and inspiring performance from Captain and stand in keeper Paul Wood, maybe he fancies a regular spot as Diggles Res No 1??
A solid performance, especially after the half time team talk from the back 4 of Ben Mac, Joe (who was named MOM), Big Chris and Kel.
The central midfielders, Danny T and Devy won every battle and were solid for 90 mins. They fed the strikers well and protected the back 4.
Wingers Clarkey and Ryan were very positive going forward, Clarkey also got on the score sheet.
The starting strikers had a good game getting 2 goals and creating many chances and on another day could have had a few more.
All 3 subs had a positive impact on the game with the addition of a goal and must all be pushing for a starting spot??
I hope everyone is happy they got a mention!!
Match report by Stephen Scoltock.
