DKOS ran out deserved winners in Sunday’s encounter,
avenging their only loss of the season and producing arguably their best performance
of the season.
The home side had the better of the opening exchanges,
combating Shire Oak’s direct, physical approach with resolute defending and a
controlled passing game. However, the away side struck first against the run of
play. After their corner was cleared, the ball was worked out wide where a
Shire Oak winger whipped the ball across the six-yard box, presenting the
striker with a tap in at the back post.
DKOS responded with great maturity, refusing to let their
heads drop. They continued to play their game with the belief that their reward
would come. Lo and behold, said belief was soon vindicated. The Greens were
awarded a penalty as Gregory was hacked down in the area – not the first time
that has been said this season, and the smart money says it won’t be the last.
Matt Bishop oozed composure as he sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted the
ball home, sending DKOS into the interval deservedly level.
The home side started the second half with the same
intensity, as their youthful legs continually troubled an ageing back line. The
turning point came midway through the second half. An under hit Shire Oak back
pass was latched onto by Gregory, and the DKOS skipper nicked the ball the onrushing
keeper for his fourth goal of the season.
There was a mild scare for DKOS later in the half as a Shire
Oak winger who went by the name ‘Snail’ (no, us neither) headed the ball
against the post, but most of the away side’s offence was limited to long balls
and long throws – which were routinely met by the heads of Diego, Hughes and
Bishop.
After a steely second half display, DKOS secured the game
with a third goal. A Brennan corner wasn’t dealt with, and the ensuing scramble
saw the ball fall to Joe Hawkins. His edge of the area strike found the back of
the net via a slight deflection, and it was nothing short of what DKOS
deserved.
There was time for the home side to put icing on the delicious
cake they’d spent almost ninety minutes baking. Bishop’s deep lying run beat
the offside trap, and his finish past the keeper was reminiscent of Marko
Arnautovic’s goal against Man United the day before – something we’ve come to
expect from our top scorer. Hawkins came close to adding a spectacular fifth,
as his half volley from inside his own half was inches away from both sealing the
goal of the season award in game five, and sending the opposition goalkeeper into
early retirement.
As mentioned earlier, this was probably the best DKOS performance
so far this season. A gritty, determined performance bore fruit against an
experienced side that had beaten us earlier in the season. The team’s
willingness to work for each other was evident, and this translated into three
points. We were solid. We were clinical. We were DKOS!
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