Stone Dominoes 1 Walsall Phoenix 3: Staffordshire County Senior League Div One, Saturday 22nd August
Looking to build on their convincing midweek victory at Foley, Stone Dominoes entertained Walsall Phoenix at Yarnfield in their second home game of the season. It turned out to be a second defeat of the season on their own patch however, as a second-half double from the visitor’s Kyle Barrington to complete his hat-trick gave them a deserved victory over a lacklustre Dominoes. Shane Lindop’s strike had cancelled out a Walsall opener from Barrington to send the sides in level at half time.
The game started at a fast pace and Lindop thought he had given the home side an early lead on 3 minutes when he had the ball in the net, only to be flagged offside. Dominoes were giving the ball away cheaply all over the pitch and found themselves behind after 15 minutes. A long ball was flicked on and allowed to bounce in front of the Stone defence, Kyle Barrington finding himself in space on the edge of area to send a well struck half volley past Craig Bould into the bottom corner.
Although they had not started to produce the quality of football shown in midweek, Dominoes were starting to create chances, and Tom Broadhurst found himself clear of the defence on 25 minutes but was denied by the Phoenix goalkeeper down to his left. Shane Lindop had the ball in the net again 10 minutes later; this time the goal would stand. Picking the ball up on the left, he cut inside to fire a swerving effort from 25 yards out that found the far top corner to double his tally for the season.
Basic mistakes were putting the hosts under pressure, and they were very nearly behind for the second time on 37 minutes when Barrington pounced on a mistake from Marcus Thorp to race clear, but Craig Bould stood tall to deny the striker a second.
The away side began the second half the brighter and it was not long before they went ahead again. Dominoes lost the ball on the right hand side and a ball down the line released Barrington, whose pace took him away from Ryan Parkes and towards goal, before he calmly rounded Bould and slid the ball into the empty net to double his tally.
Dom Ryder and Kyle Adams had seen enough on the hour mark and made changes in an attempt bring some energy into the home sides’ play. It nearly paid dividends 5 minutes later as substitute Ash Thompson released Ash Cooper on goal but a well timed last ditch tackle denied the forward.
With Dominoes pushing forward looking for the equaliser, the away side were defending well, and were rewarded on 75 minutes when they were able to counter through Barrington. The number 9 raced clear of the high defensive line, and although his first attempt struck the foot of the post, he was able to scramble home the rebound to complete his hat-trick.
Knowing they needed to produce something quickly, Dominoes were starting to force play with more direct balls, but they thought they had found their way back into the game after 80 minutes when Lindop headed home a cross, only for the referee to rule it out for an adjudged push by substitute Joss Myatt. That proved to be the last significant piece of action of the afternoon.
Joint manager Dom Ryder voiced his disappointment, stating, “It was an uncharacteristic performance. I think we lacked the desire and craft to take anything from the game. Wednesday gives us the opportunity to make amends.”
The Yarnfield side will get the opportunity to put the weekend defeat behind them as they travel for a midweek game to Hawkins Sports tonight (Wednesday 26th August).
[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]Stone Dominoes: Bould (c), E.Adams, James, Parkes (Kenny 75), Thorp, Steele, Hughes, L.Adams (Thompson 58), Lindop, Cooper (Myatt 63), Broadhurst. Subs not used: Foyle, Stevenson[/box]
