Another strong win for Dawlish!

Dawlish vs. ISCA IV

The storms that hit the West Country last weekend looked like they may mean Dawlish’s fixture against ISCA fourths would have to be cancelled and along with late arrivals and a missing goalie kit it was not the best preparation for Dawlish after a two week break.

ISCA started strongly and twice in the first ten minutes came close to opening the scoring with strong shots going just wide of the Dawlish goal forcing some diving saves from Sarah Webster, the Dawlish keeper. Having settled down with their ten man formation, Dawlish managed to fill the gaps in midfield and start building their own attacking plays. Anne Darby and Jess Green linked well on the right and, following a goal mouth scramble, Helen Nicholson secured position and a shot to take Dawlish into the lead.

Despite Dawlish being a player down they continued to hold possession in midfield and when ISCA did manage to break they were strong at the back with Mandy Lovell and an excellent performance from Gemma Wilkes starting in defence for only the second time. The score remained 1-0 to the home side at the half time whistle but, with a player short facing a young team, there was still a long way to go.

A slight lapse in concentration at the start of the second half saw Dawlish lose control and allow ISCA some attacking runs but it was not long before Dawlish were in control again. From their first short corner of the game Yvonne Hudson passed to Lottie Young on the top of the goal whose shot found the waiting stick of Jess Green on the post to make it two nil. Dawlish really seemed to find their stride following the second goal with Young and Mel Barnes linking well through the central midfield to reach the Dawlish forwards. Another good link of play and pressure in the ISCA goal saw Nicholson’s shot deflected for an own goal.

The fourth Dawlish goal by Green looked like the nail in the coffin for an ISCA side with their heads down but they managed to make the most of a break in play and snatch a goal followed by their first short corner. Unfortunately for the visiting side their late goal was only a consolation and not a come back as Tasha Bailey tidied things up at the back and set Dawlish on another attack as Nicholson found herself goal side of the keeper and scoring Dawlish’s fifth.