Real MaDad 8
Watkins 5
Taylor 2
Kemp 1
Oldman Athletic 10
Mace 7
Daniels 2
Piggin 1
Real MaDad tasted loss for the first time in their history as Oldman overpowered them to take 3 points for the first time since September. George Mace and Zak Piggin both scored on their debuts for their new team, with Mace scoring 7 for the second time in a week as Oldman simply outscored a Real side that finally saw an unbeaten run of 15 games come to an end.
Both teams were down to the bare bones with a loan each, but a rejuvenated Oldman boosted by the recent signings of Mace and Piggin made Real pay for another sluggish start. Mace announced his arrival with a number of early goals, before Real started to find their feet with Watkins impressing along with a couple of cheeky finishes from Taylor including an outrageous backheel as Real clawed themselves level. Real appealed for a direct passback on the stroke of halftime but the protests were waved away as the half ended at 5-5.
The second half was much tighter than the first, with neither side dominating and always within a goal of each other and both keepers made top saves at either end as the high tempo game made for an entertaining finale. Chris Daniels opened proceedings by arrowing a neat finish from a tight angle, before Watkins replied with a typically neat finish of his own. Kemp wiggled through a sea of players to notch his side ahead, before further goals from Piggin and Mace put Oldman back in the lead before Watkins again drew the game level at 8-8 with 7 minutes to play. As the game entered a tense final period, Mace wiggled free from Taylor and his deflected shot left Ashton helpless as the ball spun into the corner of the net. With the seconds counting down and Real pushing for an equaliser, Mace broke away to make the 3 points safe and condem Real to their first ever defeat.
James Watkins (18) climbs up to joint 3rd in the Golden Boot after his 5 goal haul, whilst George Mace sits just outside the top ten already after 7 goals in one appearance. In the Golden Glove Ashton’s (-5.9) lead has been reduced to 0.1.
We have a final double header before our winter break, as Dadston Villa look to close the gap to Real against Dadford City, whilst 3rd placed Dad’s Army face 5th placed Dadalona.