East Dulwich Sporting Crabs 3-1 Putney B
MOTM – Clarke
After a dismal 2017 that left The Crabs facing up to the realism of a relegation scrap, it was important that they got off to a good start in what was billed as a survival six pointer. The visitors were the only side lower than Dulwich in the league, Putney B who were also in disparate need for a fresh start.
The home team were there early looking refreshed after their Christmas break. With Sam Pearson taking an extended holiday, it was down to captain James Coventry and club secretary Stu Wood to man the ship and put together a winning formula. The away side however arrived late giving The Crabs an early psychological advantage as they looked to propel themselves above Brixton United to the dizzy heights of eighth.
Cov and Wood opted for a no-nonsense 4-4-2 with Ashmore, Wood and Gibson keeping their places in their respected positions in net and on either side of the defence. The centre back positions were filled by the physical partnership of James Palmer and Dan Montejo who looked to bring some steel to a previously leaky back line. Dom Curtis started on the left wing, Steven Clark on the right and Coventry was partnered by the returning Liam Weyell. Weyell’s quality has been missed this season and his new longer Jesus-like locks and sandals only reinforced his role as the Crab’s saviour. The strikeforce was the little and large combination of Armstrong and Daughtry – the latter dropping off the target man in a free role.
The Crabs dominated possession early on and although the pitch conditions didn’t help, Weyell’s inclusion brought a calming affect to a side lacking in confidence. Whilst they didn’t struggle to create chances, putting the ball in the net seemed to be another matter as the post-Christmas rustiness began to show. Armstrong was winning his fair share of headers and Daughtry was trying to create just in behind but a lack of composure in the final third saw a number of chances spurned with Curtis fluffing his lines and Armstrong failing to make the most of an indirect free kick inside the Putney box.
As the game wore on and The Crabs failed to make their dominance count there was always the possibility of Putney nicking something. What they lacked in composure at the back they made up for in pace up top and they identified this as the one battle on the pitch they could win. Around the 35 minute mark Putney sparked a quick counter attack into motion and played a route one ball over the top of the back peddling Crabs defenders. In the blink of an eye the Putney forward was in behind and one on one before confidently placing the ball past an on rushing Ashmore. Was 2018 set to be more of the same disappointment for Pearson’s side?
At half time The Crabs convened by the side of the pitch and despite having dominated all over the pitch they found themselves 1-0 down and heads were already beginning to drop. The main take away from the half time team talk was their opposing keeper’s poor kicking so The Crabs made it their mission to press high and force the error – it was only a matter of time before they made the visitors pay.
The tactics seemed to work, The Crabs pushed up and pinned their opponents back and the chances naturally began to fall to the attackers. Armstrong looked the most likely to score but for all his hard work he couldn’t convert – his best chance coming from some quick thinking as the Putney defence stood waiting to take a free kick that had never been awarded but Pongy couldn’t supply the finish.
The inevitable equaliser did finally come from the number 10 Ben Daughtry. The Crabs’ incessant pressure paid off as Ben found himself with an open goal with work to do due to the difficult angle. There was never any doubt however and Daughtry, sporting his new Oscar Wilde haircut, certainly ‘declared his genius’.
The celebrations were muted though as The Crabs knew a draw wasn’t enough especially due to the way the game was going. Anything less than a win would’ve been viewed as a disappointment in a game they were doing more than enough to win.
It didn’t take long for The Crabs to double their tally and take the lead as young winger Steven Clark pinged a long range effort perfectly in off the crossbar. It was a well deserved goal for the rookie who had worked hard all game down the right hand side.
The job wasn’t finished though and the threat of a counter attack was still something that the defence had to keep their eye on but luckily Montejo and Palmer stayed resolute while Stu Wood also put some important challenges in on the Putney winger. As we entered the final twenty minutes of the game Coventry shuffled his pack bringing on Pickerill for Montejo, Taylor for Curtis and new boy Oladapo for Clarke. The latter’s pace caused problems for a sluggish tiring Putney back four and he nearly grabbed his first goal only to be denied by the post.
The Crabs all but sealed the victory with a third goal late on as Stu Wood burst forward from right back and played a one two before finding himself through on goal. The winger turned defender used his experience in the final third to slide the ball passed the hapless goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
There were a few late scares as Dean Ashmore had to test his head skills on two occasions as he came flying out his box in sweeper keeper mode. Ashmore also had to stand and watch as a long range strike ricocheted off his crossbar. The second ball seemed to hang in the air for an eternity as The Crabs stood and watched it drop – luckily the Putney forward was unable to capitalise.
So The Crabs started the year with a huge win in front of their home fans as they look to climb the table in 2018. Whilst it was a game they were expected to win, it was always going to be a difficult one to navigate considering the fitness of the players and condition of the pitch but a professional display made sure there were no slip ups. With Riccardo Montejo, Liam Mac and Sam Pearson amongst others to return to the side, there is no reason why they can’t continue to pick up the points and turn their survival campaign into a mid table push.
The Daily Crab 