Dad’s Army climbed into second and Dadford are now within a point of catching second bottom Dadalona after another entertaining evening at Hall Road. Real MaDad were denied the chance to seal the title with a game to go as Dad’s Army kept themselves in the hunt for silverware, whilst Dadford have given themselves the chance to get off bottom spot whilst Dadston Villa suffered a second defeat in a row.
Dad’s Army 18
Earley 7 Townsend 4 Moon 3 Barnes 2 Harber 2
Real MaDad 13
Chilvers 5 Kemp 4 Wiseman 2 Watkins 1 Own Goal 1
Real MaDad blew the chance to seal the title as Dad’s Army remain in contention themselves with two games to play. Dad’s Army entered the game knowing nothing but victory would do, and a quick start set them on their way. Real were missing defensive stalwarts Taylor, Ereira and keeper Ashton and this proved key in the opening stages as Dads Army exploited the weakness by playing quick balls over the back line and Real just couldn’t cope with the directness and pace as Earley, Townsend and Moon secured early goals. Real were still a threat going forwards as they tried to claw themselves into the game, as Kemp, Chilvers and Wiseman got in the scoresheet but further Dad’s Army goals retained an advantage and they led 11 - 5 at the break, with a Watkins dribbling the length of the pitch to score just before the break.
Real were a different prospect in the second half, and were much more competitive. Chilvers started the comeback with two early strikes, and Kemp scored a swerving long range drive but defensive fragility was again exposed by Earley as Dad’s Army began to regain control of the tie. Debutant keeper Ledward made several smart stops to keep Real in the game, whilst at the other end an ever increasingly busy Weir kept a frustrated Real from threatening the points. In the end the second half ended as more of a stalemate, with Dad’s Army doing more than enough to get the deserved 3 points. Dad’s Army must now win their remaining 2 games to win the title, including a showdown with Papathinaikos but it will all be over if Real win their final game against Dadford City in a few weeks time.