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	Tuesday 30th April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 0 ASHTON TOWN 2 After the excitement and incident of a six goal thriller between the two sides five days earlier, the return match at New Sirs was a disappointing affair, with Ashton claiming the points courtesy of two goals in the last twenty minutes. In an uneventful first half, neither keeper had a save of note to make, as both sides largely cancelled one another out in a midfield battle. Ashton created two half chances in the space of two minutes towards the end of the half, when Phil Holland shot over from 15 yards, and then Dominic Shinks shot wide after beating two men on the edge of the penalty area. Daisy began more brightly in the second half, and five minutes after the break David Deavall was unlucky when a shot from the edge of the box just missed the target. 5 minutes later Matty Innes wasted a good opportunity when he beat the offside trap and shot straight at the keeper with the goal at his mercy. Daisy were playing the better football, but were punished for slackness in defence midway through the half when a cross into the box found Ryan Cain, and he chipped the ball over Daisy keeper Lee Dyer to give Ashton the lead. Daisy threw men forward in an attempt to get back into the game, and both Matty Innes and David Deavall had chances before Ashton clinched the points with three minutes left. A shot from Anthony Woodyear was fumbled by the keeper, and Dave Oxton followed up to slot the ball home from close range. Thursday 25th April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two ASHTON TOWN 3 DAISY HILL 3 A cracking local derby match ended all square in goals and sendings off at Edge Green Street, as Ashton scored twice in the last 13 minutes to earn a point. After Ashton's Anthony Woodyear hit the post with a free kick in the first minute, chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes as both sides largely cancelled one another out. Midway through the half Ashton missed a good opportunity when Ryan Cain set up Phil Holland who shot wide, but aside of that neither keeper had a save worthy of mention. Five minutes from half time, Adie Veitch was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence, and right on half time it got worse for Daisy when a ball into the box found the head of Steve Wynne, and his knock down was fired home from close range by Mike Bennett to give Ashton the lead. However, an amazing opening seven minutes to the second half saw Daisy blitz their way to a 3-1 lead. The equaliser arrived in the 48th minute after a break down the left flank, and when the ball was squared to Carl Barrow on the edge of the box, he finished with a fine low shot into the bottom corner. Three minutes later Mark Court floated a fine ball towards the back post, and Carl Barrow notched his second with a powerful header which ended up in the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar. 60 seconds later and the already noisy Daisy contingent turned the volume up another few decibels when Ashton keeper Steve Lyon lost control of a back pass, and David Deavall nipped in to roll the ball into the empty net. On the hour Deavall had a chance to make it four when a Lee Davies lay off set him up, but he shot over. As play moved from end to end Ian West came close with a header from a Brooke Astle corner, before Ashton pulled one back with 18 minutes left, Ryan Cain's chip from the bye line being headed home by Steve Wynne. Daisy nearly moved further in front when a Mark Court free kick was well tipped over by the keeper, but with seven minutes left Ashton pulled level. Jimmy Woodyear tripped Martin Hastings on the edge of the box, and from the resultant free kick Dominic Shinks' shot went through the wall and into the corner of the net. The action was completed four minutes from time when Ashton's Dave Oxton was sent off for throwing the ball at the Daisy dugout. Tuesday 23rd April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 0 CASTLETON GABRIELS 3 The same old story Daisy played some decent football early on, lost two bad goals and the rest of the game was spent trying to break down opponents who were prepared to sit on their lead and hit on the break. Daisy's first chance arrived on eight minutes, when David Needham was put through by Dave Whitter, and although he kept his shot low and on target, Castleton keeper Darren Ford stuck out a leg to deflect the shot for a corner. Five minutes later a long punt down field caught out the Daisy defence, and as Mark Sumner came out to narrow the angle Gabriels striker Jacob Nolan won the chase for the ball and lobbed it into the empty net. Daisy were enjoying plenty of possession, and Mark Court was involved in much of the midfield action, but the next clear cut chance fell Gabriels way, whenNolan again was put through, but Sumner made a good save. On the half hour, Daisy came close when a long throw into the box was flicked on by Adie Veitch to Mark Court, who shot over the bar. As Daisy pushed forward they left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack, and were punished four minutes from half time. A ball into the crowded penalty area should have been cleared, but it was Gabriels Ross Doherty who got his head to the ball and although he didn't make perfect contact the ball looped into the top corner of the net. With Gabriels desparate to collect the points they needed to finish outside the relegation/re-election zone, it was no surprise to find they were pulling plenty of men behind the ball in the second ball. On the hour though, a mistake in the defence let in David Deavall, whose shot hit the keeper in the face and rebounded for a corner. Shortly after this Joe made a tactical switch with Steve Veitch going into the back four and Ian West moving up front, but the change failed to create the openings which were needed. With five minutes left, Gabriels sealed victory when they broke down the left and a cross into the box found Matthew Cuddy who cracked home the third goal from 10 yards. The final action of the evening saw Steve Veitch being sent off for his second bookable offence. Saturday 20th April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 BLACKPOOL MECHANICS 2 Two second half goals from Mechanics full back Craig Blinkhorn won the points for the visitors, in what could be described as "a game of two halves". Not for the first time recently, Daisy started brightly and were rewarded with the opening goal in the 10th minute. Jimmy Dixon curled a corner kick into the six yard box and Dave Whitter rose above the defence to head home from close range. As the visitors struggled to get into the game, Daisy continued to push forward and could have been further ahead by the break. In the 25th minute Matty Innes outfoxed the Blackpool defence on the left flank, cut inside but shot straight at the keeper, and a few minutes later he held off a defender to lay the ball into the path of Dave Whitter, who shot into the keepers arms. A long range effort from Mark Court was saved by the keeper and a Brooke Astle shot just missed the target as Daisy finished the half strongly. Mechanics emerged a more forceful outfit after the break, and seven minutes into the second half bad marking by the Daisy defence allowed Craig Blinkhorn to head home a corner kick from ten yards. Daisy hit back and after Dave Whitter had just failed to connect with a Matty Innes cross, Jimmy Dixon put Innes through but his shot went across the face of the goal and was cleared by the Mechanics defence. With 20 minutes left, Jimmy Dixon created another chance, this time putting Dave Whitter in on goal, and he just failed to get his shot on target after being forced wide by the oncoming keeper. As the later stages of the game wore on, the visitors began to take control, and Mark Sumner had make a fine save with ten minutes to go, when he pushed a 30 yard piledriver from Mark Ashall away for a corner. The visitors pressure finally paid off with five minutes left, when a header from centre half Dean Hughes rebounded off the crossbar, and Blinkhorn reacted quickly to stab the ball over the line for his own and Mechanics second goal to clinch victory. A very disappointing result after such a promising opening. Thursday 18th April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 0 PADIHAM 5 To say that the score didn't reflect the pattern of play in this game would be an understatement, and a disappointing night was endured as Daisy were made to suffer big style due to slack defending. The first goalmouth action of the game brought the first goal in the 7th minute. A high ball into the box wasn't dealt with by three Daisy defenders, and as the ball dropped into the path of the incoming Adie Veitch he was unable to stop it from rebounding off his shin and past Lee Dyer into the net. For the remainder of the half Daisy enjoyed plenty of possession, but despite David Deavall and Matty Innes looking lively up front, they failed to convert their domination into goals. Padiham for their part rarely troubled Lee Dyer, and as the team's left the field at half time, there was cause for optimism in the home camp. The early stages of the second half gave little indication of what was to come as Daisy started brightly and nearly scored twice in the space of a minute. First of all David Needham was foiled by the fingertips of the Padiham keeper as he just failed to connect with a Matty Innes cross, and then from the resultant corner curled in by Jimmy Dixon, Jimmy Mahon was inches from grabbing an equaliser. From then on the horror show began. 53 minutes corner into the box, Padiham's Craig Wilkinson headed the ball into the ground and it bounced up and over the head of Adie Veitch on the line for 2-0. 60 minutes good run and cross from the right, and a fine finish from John Harrison. 62 minutes a ball into the box not held cleanly by Lee Dyer, and Ian Whittaker poked the loose ball into the net. Daisy rallied and after Jimmy Dixon saw his chip shot over the keeper cleared off the line, he was unlucky again two minutes later when he was put through by Jimmy Mahon but saw his shot saved by the keeper. In the 71st minute, Ian Whittaker notched his second and Padiham's fifth with a chip over Lee Dyer, and from then on it was just about trying to regain some pride. Not the most memorable of evenings. Tuesday 9th April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two BACUP BOROUGH 3 DAISY HILL 2 A spirited late revival from a Daisy side showing a number of changes nearly salvaged a point in an exciting finish. On a chilly night up on top of the hills of East Lancashire, Bacup had the bulk of possession in the opening half hour, but they rarely threatened Lee Dyer in the Daisy goal. The first save he had to make was on the half hour, when Bacup's Jason Lanns curled a low cross into the six yard box, but Dyer got down quickly to smother the ball. Matty Innes was looking lively up front, and he had Daisy's best effort of the first half when he jinked past two players and fired in a shot, but the keeper made a comfortable save. Half time arrived with the scoresheet blank, but within 15 seconds of the restart the home side went ahead straight from the kick off. The ball was swept out wide to Jason Lanns on the right flank, and he beat two Daisy challenges and finished with a shot into the roof of the net. Daisy hit back and two efforts from David Deavall and two from Steve Brockley came close before Bacup scored a second in the 63rd minute. The referee awarded a soft free kick midway inside the Daisy half, and when the ball was swung into the box Bacup's big centre forward Stuart Farnell powered in a header which Lee Dyer got a hand to but couldn't stop rolling over the line and into the net. The main talking points of the game were saved for the last seven minutes. First, two Bacup strikers looking suspiciously offside raced through on to a through ball, and although Lee Dyer blocked the first shot he had no chance with the second. The Daisy bench voiced their opinions to the referee and he chose to book Joe Paladino, who protested his innocence at the time and has done so ever since !!! With five minutes left nice work from Matty Innes created a chance which Brooke Astle tucked away under the keeper, and with two minutes left Jimmy Dixon burst down the right and slipped the ball through to David Deavall who shot home from 8 yards. One minute later, a 25 yard free kick from Steve Brockley only just missed the target with the keeper beaten, foiling what would have been a story book ending. Once again though, a good battling performance went unrewarded, Saturday 6th April 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 0 ALSAGER TOWN 3 On a day when a horse called Blowing Wind finished third in the Grand National, the wide open spaces around New Sirs provided little shelter in the face of the Daisy Hill version, and Alsager took full advantage of playing with the wind at their backs in the opening stages of the game. In the 11th minute Daisy keeper Danny Morton couldn't hold a free kick which was whipped into the box, and following a scramble in the six yard box Alsager centre half Steve Elks forced the ball over the line. Two minutes the visitors won a free kick midway inside the Daisy half, wide on the left flank. Midfielder John Brown curled the ball into the area, and assisted by the wind, the ball went over the heads of everyone congregated in the penalty area and into the net. In the face of difficult conditions Daisy did well to keep the score at 2-0 until the break, and when the conditions were in their favour in the second half, the visitors had to thank their keeper Rob Powner for keeping them in the game. They did have one brief chance 12 minutes after the break, when Alsager striker Craig Redgate headed a corner towards the top corner, but Danny Morton was able to push the ball onto the bar and away to safety. For the rest of the second half however, Daisy were in control and a succession of chances were created, only to be foiled by an excellent display of goalkeeping. Midway through the second half Jimmy Dixon whipped in a free kick to the far post which Powner clawed away from underneath the crossbar, and two minutes later he made an outstanding point blank stop on the goal line when Steve Brockley stole in the far post to get on the end of a Mark Court cross. Daisy continued to push forward and Adie Veitch was next to come close, shooting wide when he came in to meet a Jimmy Dixon corner. As time ran out on Daisy, keeper Powner once again came to his side's rescue two minutes from time, when he pushed away a cracking 20 yard shot from substitute David Deavall at the near post. With the game deep in stoppage time Alsager tied up the points when Redgate broke down the left, and crossed for substitute Andy Kinsey to head home from 10 yards. Wednesday 3rd May 2002 North West Counties League Division Two STAND ATHLETIC 2 DAISY HILL 2 An outstanding performance from Daisy, who were destined for victory until a soft penalty award three minutes into stoppage time allowed the home side to grab a share of the points. Stand enjoyed most of the early possession and dominated the first 30 minutes or so, but the Daisy defence held firm. On the half hour Lee Dyer in the Daisy goal made a fine point blank save from a close range effort, before Daisy took the lead seven minutes from the break. Stand's centre half committed his umpteenth foul of the game 30 yards from goal, and Steve Brockley's free kick was deflected off the defensive wall and in to the top corner of the net. Early in the second half a curling corner kick from Jimmy Dixon was cleared off the line as Daisy continued to push forward. Just on the hour, Stand came close to an equaliser when an incoming striker just failed to get on the end of a cross into the six yard box. By this stage the home side were showing signs of frustration at their inability to break down the resolute Daisy defence, but the resistance finally gave way eight minutes from time, when the referee awarded a dubious free kick in the Daisy half, and when the ball was floated into the box a glancing header from Lee Anderson gave Stand the equaliser. However, the main drama was saved for the closing minutes of the game. With just one minute of normal time remaining, Daisy broke out and the ball was swept out to Steve Brockley on the left hand side of the field. He cut inside, and from 30 yards out unleashed a cracking shot into the top corner which gave the keeper no chance. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, but the referee's intervention saw that justice was not done on the night. Three minutes into stoppage time, a Stand forward fell down very easily in the box when challenged by Ian West, and Stand skipper Steve Stott slotted home the penalty to give the home a share of the points. The full time whistle left everyone in the Daisy camp with a feeling of having been robbed, following a performance which was probably the best from a Daisy side all season. Monday 1st April 2002 North West Counties League Division 2 DAISY HILL 2 COLNE 2 The first point of Joe Paladino's reign as manager, although everyone in the home camp had good reason to feel that this was two points dropped rather than one gained. With Lee Dyer replacing the player boss in goal, Daisy had the best of the opening exchanges although clear cut chances were few and far between for both sides. Early on Steve Brockley shot across the face of the goal, and midway through the half a fine cross field ball from Dave Whitter put David Deavall in, but his shot was smothered by the keeper. In the 25th minute new keeper Dyer, who up to that point had seen little action, made a great save from Colne's Jonathan Irvine, and two minutes the Colne striker was fouled in the box by Ian West and the referee pointed to the spot. Full back Ben Callon slotted home the penalty to give the visitors an undeserved lead. However, just on half time Daisy pulled themselves back on level terms when a ball into the box was knocked down into the path of Dave Whitter, and although Colne keeper Ross Baxter got a hand to his shot he only succeeded in parrying the ball into the net. Eight minutes into the second half, Daisy suffered a blow when Graham Billinge limped off after being on the receiving end of a hefty tackle on the edge of the box. He was replaced by David Needham, who within three minutes of joining the action had created Daisy's second goal. He made a good run down the right flank, cut inside and laid the ball into the path of Mark Court who side footed the ball into the corner of the net from 15 yards. Daisy continued to dominate and had two good chances inside a minute midway through the second half. After a Steve Brockley shot was deflected for a corner, a neat move involving Dave Whitter and David Needham set up David Deavall, but a last ditch tackle saved the day for Colne. Colne had rarely threatened during the second half, but a moment of slackness in the Daisy defence allowed the visitors to equalise 16 minutes from time. A ball into the box wasn't cleared by the defence and centre back Gary Dalton stole in to get on the end of the cross. Not for the first time in recent weeks, self inflicted errors cost Daisy dearly. Saturday 30th March 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 SQUIRES GATE 2 Promotion chasing Squires Gate were fortunate to escape with all three points after a fine all round display from a lively Daisy side. With former Warrington Town player Jimmy Woodyear making his first start, and Steve Brockley in defence for the first time since September, Daisy started well but fell behind to a fine goal from Gate's Steve Longworth in the 15th minute. Collecting a through ball from full back Dave Watson, the striker took the ball in his stride and struck a cracking shot into the corner of the net from 25 yards. Daisy battled back and could have scored twice within three minutes just after the half hour. First, Dave Whitter broke down the left flank, and cut inside to make space for a shot which was scrambled clear by Gate keeper Andy Moore. Then Whitter turned provider, putting Graham Billinge through on goal but the keeper make a good block from the shot. Daisy finally got the goal their pressure deserved one minute from half time, when the Gate defence failed to clear their lines and Steve Brockley squeezed the ball in at the far post off the outstretched leg of a defender. In the second half Daisy continued to dominate and after Brooke Astle hit the post from a Graham Billinge cross, the same player was inches wide with a free kick. Then, against the run of play, in the 65th minute the visitors leading scorer Lee Catlow got the break of the ball on the edge of the box, and fired in a shot which Joe Paladino got a hand to, but couldn't stop trickling over the line into the net. Three minutes Carl Barrow was denied twice by a double save from Moore in the visitors goal, and then from the resultant corner a David Deavall shot was scrambled off the line as Daisy applied the pressure. The Gate players were clearly rattled and began arguing amongst themselves as Daisy went forward at every opportunity, and after boss Paladino made a great point blank save from Scott Sugden, Graham Billinge came close with a shot on the counter attack. Daisy almost snatched the point their performance deserved in the third minute of stoppage time, when Steve Brockley's free kick was headed inches over the top by Dave Whitter with the keeper nowhere. The sizeable away support greeted the final whistle with a mixture of jubilation and relief, but the result was very harsh on Daisy. Saturday 23rd March 2002 North West Counties League Division Two BOOTLE 4 DAISY HILL 0 After a promising start, defensive slackness cost Daisy dearly at the Kirkby Sports Centre. With manager Joe Paladino in goal, and debutant Matty Innes up front, Daisy started well and were unlucky not be ahead early on. Within the first minute Daisy had the ball in the back of the Bootle net, but the assistant referee flagged for offside just had Dave Whitter tucked the ball past the Bootle keeper Chris Flood. Shortly afterwards Graham Billinge was put through one on one with the keeper, but he made the first of several good saves during the afternoon. Then, on 10 minutes an Adie Veitch through ball caught out the Bootle defence and as the back four appealed for offside Dave Whitter collected the ball and lobbed it over the advancing keeper, but his effort drifted wide of the upright. Bootle weathered the storm and began to claw their way back into the game, and Joe Paladino had to make two smart saves midway through the half to keep the scoresheet blank. However, after holding out for 42 minutes, the Daisy defence was breached twice within three minutes before the break. Bootle's Ronnie Morgan did the damage on both occasions, first with a close range shot and then right on the half time whistle with a header into the corner of the net. After a few scares early in the second half, Daisy had two excellent opportunities just after the hour, but were twice denied by Colin Flood in the Bootle goal. First of all he pushed away a Brooke Astle shot from 20 yards, and then when Carl Barrow evaded the offside trap and was through on goal the keeper made a fine blocking save. With 20 minutes left the game was put beyond Daisy reach when John Morgan fired home Bootle's third, and a miserable afternoon was completed five minutes from time when Ronnie Morgan was left unmarked and in acres of space to collect a pass, round the keeper and roll the ball into the empty net to complete his hat trick. For the third game in a row, Daisy were left reflecting on a result which could have been very different if they had taken early chances. Saturday 16th March 2002 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 LEEK CSOB 5 A day that began brightly ended in deep depression, with the visitors taking full advantage of Daisy's defensive deficiencies. A lively start to the game saw three goals in the opening 11 minutes, with Daisy striking inside the first 90 seconds with a well worked goal. Graham Billinge broke down the right, squared the ball into the box, and Phil Hinks opened the scoring with a sidefooted shot from 15 yards. However, home elation was short lived as Leek struck back with two goals in four minutes from striker Lee Fower. In the 7th minute he collected a loose ball in the box, rounded Danny Morton, and rolled the ball into the empty net and four minutes later finished off a move down the left with a shot into the bottom corner. It took Daisy a few minutes to get back into their stride, but by the midway point in the half they were enjoying the best of the possession, and had the opportunities to get back on level on terms. Dave Whitter shot just over the bar after being set up by Phil Hinks, and then Mark Pritchard was unlucky to see a rasping 25 yard shot scrambled away in less than stylish fashion by Leek keeper Rob Cooper. David Deavall was next to try his luck, shooting just over the top after collecting a pass from Brooke Astle. The visitors rarely troubled keeper Danny Morton in the remainder of the half, and must have been relieved to hear the half time whistle. The second half started slowly, with neither side creating much in the way of clear cut chances. However, just after the hour mark, Lee Fower completed his hat trick when he outpaced the defence in chasing a long ball forward, and beat Morton with a shot from the edge of the box. From then on, the roof fell in as Daisy struggled to raise their game and Leek increased their lead courtesy of a Danny Morton own goal and a late effort from Paul Bowyer. Manager Joe Paladino kept his players in the dressing room for some time after the final whistle, and left them in no doubt that the performance was not up the standard required. Not one of our better days. Saturday 2nd March 2002 North West Counties League Division Two BLACKPOOL MECHANICS 3 DAISY HILL 1 Two goals in a three minute spell midway through the second half clinched the points for the home side, giving Joe Paladino a disappointing start to his reign as Daisy manager. Daisy got off to a flier with a goal in the second minute. Dave Whitter's pass found Graham Billinge on the edge of the box, and he controlled the ball and finished with a shot under the keeper. It was nearley two a couple of minutes later when Dave Deavall, on his first appearance for the club, was inches wide with a 20 yard shot. For the remainder of the first half, the game was a dogged midfield battle, and although Daisy enjoyed more possession, they failed to turn their domination into chances. They were made to pay for a lack of concentration at the back seven minutes from the break, when against the run of play Mechanics equalised. A long ball to the back post found full back Dave Nolan unmarked, and he beat keeper Danny Morton with a header from close range. The home side moved up a gear in the second half, and immediately began to threaten the Daisy defence. On the hour mark, Danny Morton was called into action twice in two minuntes to deny centre forward Rob Park. First he made a point blank save on the edge of the box, and then when the striker intercepted a pass back, his shot was pushed round the post for a corner. Daisy still had their moments, and Dave Whitter was unlucky when he collected an Adie Veitch pass, and shot just over from 20 yards. However, the home side's pressure eventually bore fruit and two goals in the space of three minutes killed off Daisy's hopes of taking something from the game. In the 73rd minute Mechanics Gavin Hughes collected the ball wide on the right and his cross deceived keeper Morton and ended up in the back of the net off the inside of the post. Then, an overhit back pass left the keeper struggling to control the ball on the bumpy surface, and as the ball ran free centre forward Rob Park pounced to fire the ball into the net. With seven minutes left Daisy's misery was complete when the referee awarded a penalty, but Graham Billinge's spot kick was blocked on the line by Mechanics keeper Tommy Baldwin. A disappointing end to a day which started so brightly. Saturday 16th February 2002 North West Counties League Division Two CHEADLE TOWN 2 DAISY HILL 1 On a heavy pitch against physical oppponents, Daisy battled well throughout the game, but a goal midway through the second half clinched the points for the home side. Daisy once again had new faces in the starting line up with coach Joe Paladino in goal, midfielder Danny Meakin and striker Graham Billinge all making their first appearances. The reshaped side got off to the worst possible start, conceding a goal in the second minute of the game. Cheadle's Mick Channon, son of the former England international of the same name, made a good run down the right flank and whipped in a cross which was headed in at the far post by Andy Lundy. The home side took encouragement from their early breakthrough and dominated the opening stages, but Daisy held out well and against the run of play they equalised in the 19th minute. Phil Hinks fed the ball through to Graham Billinge, who showed plenty of composure in controlling the ball and finishing with a low shot under the keeper. Five minutes later a mistake in the Cheadle defence almost let Billinge in again, but on this occasion he was thwarted by a last ditch tackle. After a net bound Steve Harris shot was deflected for a corner, Cheadle should have taken the lead when goalscorer Lundy hit the bar from three yards out when it seemed easier to score, and the same player was thwarted again when Joe Paladino made a great save from a 20 yard shot. As Cheadle finished the half strongly, the woodwork came to Daisy's rescue again two minutes from the break when Steve Elwell's header beat Paladino but rebounded to safety. The early stages of the second half saw plenty of endeavour from both sides, but neither keeper was troubled as defences remained on top. However, in the 66th minute the home side scored what proved to be the winning goal, when Andy Lundy's cross found his strike partner Paul Wardle unmarked at the far post, and he finished with a mishit shot from close range. Relief for the home side, disappointment for Daisy. Tuesday 29th January 2002 North West Counties League Division Two CHADDERTON 4 DAISY HILL 0 Two more new faces appeared in the Daisy line up for the trip to the Broadway Stadium, with Graham Neal and Michael O'Neill making their first starting appearances. Daisy dominated the opening half hour and squandered a number of good opportunities. Their opening chance arrived in the 5th minute, when captain for the night Jimmy Dixon blazed a shot over the bar from a Dave Whitter knock down. Four minutes later Mark Westworth created an opening for Whitter, but he shot wide from 20 yards. Chadderton created their first decent chance in the 16th minute when a close in header from centre forward Hardman was pushed on to the post by Danny Morton. Daisy hit back again and Phil Hinks was unlucky when his cross cum shot at the end of a run down the left flank almost crept under the bar, but Chadderton keeper Lee Grogan scrambled the ball clear. Daisy were left rueing missed chances when they found themselves two goals down within the space of five minutes. On the half hour a mishit free kick landed at the feet of Colin Bennett who beat Danny Morton with a spectacular first time shot from 30 yards, and then Hardman broke down the left, slipped the ball through to Tungi Moses, who beat Morton with a rising shot into the roof of the net. Nine minutes into the second half the game was effectively over as a contest, when Colin Bennett collected the ball on the edge of the box and was allowed time and space to turn and fire a low shot into the bottom corner. Daisy kept on battling, however, and were unlucky not to pull a goal back midway through the second half when the keeper dropped a cross at the feet of Ian West, but his snap shot hit he post and bounced to safety. With 15 minutes left another excellent chance went begging, when Steve Harris was allowed a free header inside the box but missed the target. In stoppage time Chadderton wing back John McAllister cut in from the right, shrugged off two challenges and beat Morton with a close range shot to complete the scoring. The home side have to be congratulated for the quality of their finishing, but a four goal winning margin flattered them on the night. Saturday January 12th 2002 North West Counties League Division 2 LEEK CSOB 1 DAISY HILL 0 Harrison Park in Leek provided the venue for Daisy's first game of 2002, and their first since the 1st of December. Danny Morton retained his place in goal after an impressive debut at Colne, and Mark Westworth returned to partner Dave Whitter up front. The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes, and a mixture of poor finishing and some good saves from Morton in the Daisy goal kept the scoresheet blank at the interval. After 15 minutes he made a good stop from a Dave Ritchie shot down at the near post, and then almost immediately afterwards made a good block from Ritchie's strike partner Lee Pugh on the edge of the box. Seven minutes later, Morton again denied Pugh, this time with a point blank save from a close range shot. Daisy had rarely threatened at this point but on the half hour they created two chances within the space of a minute. After Mark Westworth missed the target with a long range effort, Jimmy Dixon was unlucky not to open the scoring when his cracking volley from the edge of the box was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Leek keeper Andy Miner. The home side continued to press forward, and hit the woodwork twice before the break with keeper Morton beaten. After a quiet opening period, Leek went ahead 11 minutes into the second half when a Ricky Mallen corner was headed home from close range by the unmarked Dave Ritchie. This stung Daisy into action, and they created their two best chances of the game in the space of a couple of minutes on the hour. Jimmy Dixon was unlucky to see his 25 yard shot rebound off the bar with the keeper beaten, and then from a Dixon cross on the right Dave Whitter blazed a shot over the top from 10 yards. With 15 minutes left Dixon again did well, when he collected a through ball, outpaced the home defence, and shot from the edge of the box, but the keeper made a fine save low down at the near post. At the other end Morton made an another good stop from goalscorer Ritchie, and Ritchie then set up Simon Tweats who shot over from eight yards with only Morton to beat as the game moved into its closing stages. Daisy threw men forward in the dying minutes and caused the home side some concern as they fought desperately to get back into the game, but resolute defending saw Leek CSOB hold out to collect the points. Saturday 1st December 2001 North West Counties League Division Two COLNE 2 DAISY HILL 0 For the trip to the hilltops of East Lancashire, Danny Morton started his first league game in goal, and Phil Hinks made his debut up front following his arrival from Breightmet United. Colne started brightly and after dominating the early stages, they went ahead with a fine solo effort in the 17th minutes. Paul Fildes picked up the ball on the right, jinked inside two defenders and finished with a shot into the corner of the net from 15 yards. Daisy hit back and a fine move down the right involving Martin Hastings and Phil Hinks set up Dave Whitter, whose shot was saved at the near post. After Danny Morton made a good save from a long range effort, Daisy had a let off when a header from Colne's impressive defender Gareth West hit the bar with the keeper beaten. Straight away Daisy nearly equalised when Phil Hinks intercepted a back pass but the keeper blocked the shot. The last chance of the first half arrived just on half time, Steve Harris coming close when he just failed to connect with a ball into the six yard box. Just after the restart Colne's Ben Callon finished off a well worked move from close range, but was ruled offside by the assistant referee. Straight away Phil Hinks was in the action again, when a fine run was completed by a shot which just missed the target. Colne continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession, but Daisy still threatened at times. Midway through the second half Neil Melling curled a direct free kick over the defensive only to be thwarted by the keeper, and with 18 minutes left Daisy's best chance of the game arrived, when Dave Whitter was unlucky to see his header rebound off the crossbar with the keeper beaten. However, Colne clinched the points with three minutes left when striker George Craddock's persistence down the right flank created a chance for subsitute Shaun Emmett, who chose to walk the ball on the goal line and wait for a challenge to arrive before rolling the ball into the net. A decent enough performance from Daisy on the day, but on the balance of play Colne probably deserved the points. Saturday 17th November 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 FORMBY 1 Both sides played their part in an entertaining 90 minutes, although the game's main talking point arose from a controversial refereeing decision midway through the second half. Formby were the better side in the first half, and were good value for their half time lead. The goal came in the 5th minute when a long ball forward caught out the Daisy defence, and Formby striker Neil Smith collected the through ball, and finished with a low shot into the corner of the net. The same player nearly increased the lead two minutes later, when he was allowed time and space to fire in a shot from inside the box, but Daisy keeper Mark Sumner made a fine save. After surviving the early onslaught Daisy rallied, and Dave Whitter and Martin Hastings both came close to equalising, but half time approached Formby began to dominate and a mixture of luck and bad finishing meant that Daisy went in at half time just the one goal behind. After a quiet start to the second half Daisy began to control the game, and after creating a few half chances were denied an equaliser midway through the second half. A ball into the box found Mark Westworth, and as he dribbled the ball round Formby keeper Lyndon King, the keeper caught his leg and knocked him off balance. Westworth quickly recovered and and slid the ball into the net just a split second after the referee blew to award a penalty. Despite furious protests from the Daisy players, the referee ruled that the whistle had gone before the ball crossed the line and the goal didn't stand. After the objections subsided, the home camp's misery was completed when Daisy captain Neil Melling's spot kick was saved by the keeper. Undaunted, Daisy pushed forward and were rewarded with the goal their efforts deserved in the third minute of stoppage time. Dave Whitter sped down the left wing, whipped in a cross to the near post and Jimmy Dixon finished from close range. Although Daisy could feel justifiably aggrieved about the penalty decision, Formby created a greater number of clear cut chances over the 90 minutes, and a draw was probably a fair result. Tuesday 6th November 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DARWEN 6 DAISY HILL 3 With Terry Gaskell on holiday, Bob Howard and Peter Rigby were in the dug out at the Anchor Ground, and the duo included Jimmy Dickson and Chris Lawson in the starting line up for their first appearances, and Jimmy Mahon began his return to the first team squad on the bench. Wearing an all yellow away kit for the first time in a couple of years, Daisy were quickly under pressure as Darwen immediately went on the attack, and after surviving a couple of early scares, bad marking in defence allowed Darwen's Craig Shaw a free header to open the scoring inside the first ten minutes. Straight from the kick off Neil Melling nearly equalised when he collected a through ball, and advanced in on goal, but the keeper blocked the shot. Although Darwen were enjoying plenty of possession and creating chances, Daisy's defence held out until the 38th minute when Mark Sumner did well to beat out a well struuck shot only to see Darwen's Matty Swailes sidefoot the rebound into the net. Just on half time a virtual replica of the first goal ball into the box and a free header saw Paul Baker give Darwen a 3-0 advantage at the break. The second half began with two goals in as many minutes. A break down the right, and a cross into the area saw Andy Walsh make it 4-0, but from the restart Daisy won a free kick on the edge of the box and Neil Melling's shot was deflected past the keeper. Midway through the second half, Daisy won a free kick wide on the right and Steve Harris's cross was headed in at the far post by Melling for his and Daisy's second. Daisy then enjoyed their best spell of the game, and began to put the Darwen defence under some pressure, but on 79 minutes a miskicked clearance from Mark Sumner went straight on to the head of Darwen's Matty Swailes who sent a looping header over the stranded keeper into the net. Again though, Daisy hit back quickly, and Steve Harris notched his second goal in two games when he picked up the ball wide on the right, went past two defenders and finished with a low shot into the right hand corner. However Darwen completed the scoring with 6 minutes left when Brooke Astle was dispossessed on the left flank by Paul Baker, and the Darwen striker advanced on goal and finished with a shot through Sumner's legs. Saturday 27th October 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 OLDHAM TOWN 0 Daisy gave new boss Terry Gaskell a winning start in his first game in charge at New Sirs, following the dismissal of Alan Aspinall. The departure of the previous manager resulted in the departure of most of his squad and of the starting line up only one player - Ian West - had been part of the 14 man squad named for the Cheadle game, and only West, Martin Rigby and Dominic Shinks had played in the first team since the start of the season. After a quiet opening period, Daisy took the lead in the 15th minute. Neil Melling fed a nice pass through to Steve Harris, and with the Oldham Town defence appealing for offside, Harris strode into the box and beat the keeper with a fine shot high into the corner of the net. Midway through the first half, Daisy keeper Mark Sumner made two fine saves in the space of five minutes to keep the lead intact. In the 20th minute he pushed a 20 yard shot from Oldham striker John Marshall round the post, and a few minutes later he made a fine point blank save from Warren Taylor as Oldham put the Daisy defence under pressure. Towards the end of the half however, Daisy could have increased the lead when first of all Neil Melling missed the target when he chipped the ball over the keeper from 25 yards, and then in first half stoppage time Oldham keeper Gareth Jones made a good save from a rasping shot by Martin Hastings. 10 minutes into the second half a Neil Melling tackle was seen by some of the Oldham players as being worthy of a caution, and the opposition decided to take the law into their own hands during the next few minutes, resulting in a spate of yellow cards. Once some order was restored, Oldham continued to press for an equaliser, and created a number of chances, but were nearly caught on the break late in the game when a long ball out of defence found Dominic Shinks who outpaced the Oldham defence, rounded the keeper and found his shot blocked by a last ditch challenge. Despite some late pressure from the visitors, the Daisy defence held firm, and the sound of the referee's whistle to signal the end of the game was greeted with relief by all in the home camp. Saturday 13th October 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 4 CHEADLE TOWN 2 Daisy welcomed back Simon Corns, Barry Edwardson and Steve Edwards, and Dave Billows made his first appearance at the centre of the defence. Daisy almost scored within the opening seconds of the game when Barry Edwardson got his head to a Karl Jones cross inside the box, but Cheadle keeper Paul Masher managed to push the ball away for a corner. However, within three minutes Daisy were ahead through a well worked goal. A Carl Dermott ball into the penalty area was met by Steve Edwards, whose first time touch beat his marker, and having created space for the shot he finished with a deft flick into the corner of the net. After Ryan Del Pinto was called upon to make two good saves in as many minutes, Edwards notched his and Daisy's second in the 25th minute. A ball over the top from Jimmy Collins caught out the Cheadle back four, and Edwards latched on to the ball, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net. Three minutes later it was 3-0, Barry Edwardson's defence splitting pass putting Steve Ellaby through, and he finished with a low shot under the advancing keeper from 15 yards. Daisy were in control, but with only four minutes remaining of the first half Cheadle pulled one back when Paul Wardle headed home unchallenged from 10 yards. Worse was to come in first half stoppage time, when Cheadle centre half Paul Goggins was first to a corner kick from the left, and his header further reduced the arrears. A minute into the second half Cheadle almost drew level when a long range shot took a deflection and almost deceived Ryan Del Pinto, who had to scramble back to collect the ball on the goal line. However, eight minutes later Daisy moved further ahead when a long ball from Steve Edwards found Karl Jones on the edge of the box, and he controlled the ball and finished with a fine shot into the corner. Thereafter, Daisy created and missed a number of decent opportunites, but held on to collect the three points. Saturday 6th October 2001 Worthington Challenge Trophy First Round DAISY HILL 0 GLOSSOP NORTH END 2 Injuries and unavailability of players saw a much changed Daisy line up take the field against their opponents from North West Counties League Division One. Glossop got off to the perfect start with a goal in the third minute. A long clearance caught out the Daisy defence, and Darren Hamilton collected the ball, advanced into the box and finished with a low shot into the corner. Daisy responded by creating two chances in as many minutes. A Dave Aspinall shot following a Jimmy Collins cross just missed the target, and then Carl Dermott got his head to an Aspinall corner, but the header found the side netting. Daisy were enjoying plenty of possession and on 18 minutes some good interplay between Carl Dermott and Karl Jones ended with a cut back into the six yard box which Steve Ellaby just failed to convert. Daisy's commitment to attack left them vulnerable on the break, and they were nearly caught out on the half hour when a move down the right created a chance for Glossop's Nick Wild, but his shot was deflected for a corner. 7 minutes into the second half Glossop's Darren Hamilton put his side in the driving seat with his own and Glossop's second goal. Paul Nibloe's corner was only partially cleared by the Daisy defence, and when keeper Ryan Del Pinto parried Nick Wild's shot, Hamilton was lurking in the six yard box to finish from close range. Despite the set back Daisy continued to push forward, and were unlucky not to pull a goal back 14 minutes from time. Good work from Paul Styles found substitute Rob Thornley 25 yards out and he let fly with a cracking shot which hit the outside of the post with the keeper beaten. Tuesday 2nd October 2001 North West Counties League Division Two CASTLETON GABRIELS 0 DAISY HILL 2 Daisy welcomed back Ryan Del Pinto in goal, and Steve Edwards was partnered up front by Metim Tastin. Lee Dowding made his debut in central defence alongside Grant Williams, and Matty Worthington came in on the right side of midfield. The opening 20 minutes saw Daisy dominate and create a number of decent chances. The first came on 7 minutes when Jimmy Collins fired a direct free kick just over the bar, and a few minutes later Daisy were unlucky not to take the lead when following a Carl Dermott corner, a Jimmy Collins Header and a Steve Edwards shot were both blocked on the line. A few minutes later Matty Worthington siezed on a loose ball inside the box, but shot wide from eight yards with only the keeper to beat. Daisy finally got the goal they deserved on 23 minutes, when Carl Dermott curled a free kick on the edge of the box into the far corner of the net. Castleton then created a couple of half chances before the keeper nearly presented a goal to Matty Worthington. A miskicked clearance landed at Matty's feet, but the keeper scrambled back into position to collect the return shot. However, three minutes before half time, Matty did get on the scoresheet when Daisy notched their second. Steve Edwards chased and won a long ball on the right flank, got to the bye line, cut the ball back, and Matty finished with a shot in off the post. The second half saw little in the way of clear cut chance created until 15 minutes from the end. A mistake on the edge of the box gave possession to Karl Jones, but he shot over the bar. With eight minutes left a good run and cross from Steve Edwards found Matty Worthington in space inside the box but he skied his shot over. It took until two from minutes from the end before Gabriels created their best chance of the evening, when a shot from the edge of the box just missed the target. Overall, a relatively easy win for Daisy on the night. Saturday 29th September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two OLDHAM TOWN 3 DAISY HILL 1 The trip to the Whitebank Stadium saw Carl Dermott and Ian West return to the back four and Barry Edwardson join Dave Whitter up front. However, all did not go according to plan and Daisy were left chasing the game after conceding two goal in the opening 17 minutes. Oldham's Scott Black was the thorn in the Daisy side, first setting up Julian Dowe for the opener in the 5th minute, and then putting Warren Taylor in to score the second. For the remainder of the half Daisy dominated and created numerous chances, the best of which fell to Barry Edwardson and Dave Whitter, with neither able to capitalise. Almost incredibly Oldham's Kaleem Ahmed notched a third in first half stoppage time, to give the home side a lead which they scarcely deserved. Within a minute of the restart, Carl Dermott pulled a goal back when he collected a Barry Edwardson knock down to finish from close range. From then on it was the same old story, with Daisy dominating, creating chances, and failing to put them away. Tony Leyden just failed to connect with a Dave Whitter cross, a shot over the top from Dave Aspinall and a good run and shot from Dave Whitter all might have reduced the deficit. With nine minutes left the day's misery was complete when Oldham hit on the break and as striker Julian Dowe strode into the box, Daisy keeper Andy Murphy came charging out to block the shot and took the man rather than the ball inside the box. A penalty definitely, a booking probably, but the referee chose to issue a red card which even some of the Oldham Town players considered harsh. As the disconsolate keeper left the field, Karl Jones took over the keeper's jersey and gloves and made a fine stop low down to his right from Ahmed's penalty. After the bad start it never looked like being Daisy's day, and it's hard to believe that a team can create so many decent chances during a game and only score once. Tuesday 25th September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two SQUIRES GATE 4 DAISY HILL 0 More new faces in the starting line up for the trip to Blackpool, with Paul Styles and Tony Leyden making their debuts, and Dave Whitter was employed as a lone striker up front. The first half saw Daisy camped in their own half for much of the time, although they did restrict an impressive looking home side to only two attempts on target. The problem was that both ended up in the back of the net. The first came on 20 minutes when a long ball into the box saw Paul Paynter rise above the defence to head home from 15 yards. Just when it looked as if Daisy could holdout and regroup at half time, Gate notched a second goal just before the break, when Lee Catlow fired a shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box. Daisy started the second half in much brighter fashion and for a spell more than held their own as play moved from one end of the park to the other. Karl Jones came closest to pulling a goal back when he broke down the left and fired a shot across the face the goal with the Squires Gate keeper beaten. Shortly afterwards Gate's Paul Paynter must have been glad that no cameras were present to record what was probably the miss of the season, when he managed to miss an empty net from about two yards when his feet and the ball didn't get together at the same time. However, as Daisy pushed forward they were caught on the break 13 minutes from time, when Lee Catlow picked up a ball out on the right, cut inside to make space for the shot, and although Andy Murphy got a hand to the effort it crept into the net at the far post. To complete a miserable night for Daisy and a good one for Lee Catlow, the Squires Gate striker completed his hat trick four minutes from the end. He chased and won a long ball forward, shrugged off two challenges and beat Andy Murphy with another low shot from the edge of the box. A reasonable performance on the night, but, not for the first time this season the finishing scoreline didn't really reflect the run of play. Saturday 22nd September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 STONE DOMINOES 3 A story of missed oppportunities for Daisy, who pulled themselves back into this game in the second half, but failed to take advantage of the possession they enjoyed. The first half saw a lively Stone outfit establish a two goal lead inside the opening 21 minutes. In the 14th minute Grant Williams attempted to find keeper Andy Murphy with a back pass, but lobbed his effort over the keeper and into the net. Seven minutes later it was 2-0, when a well worked move down the right saw Ben Biddulph put Anthony Danylyck through, and when keeper Murphy parried the shot Colin Fletcher was on hand to finish from close range. Daisy only created two chances worthy of note in the opening half, the first a shot from Steve Ellaby which went wide, and the second a header from Barry Edwardson which looped over the crossbar. Daisy were back in the game within four minutes of the restart. Good work by Karl Jones on the right found Dave Aspinall on the edge of the box, and his pass was finished from close range by Barry Edwardson. On the hour Jimmy Collins hit the post from 20 yards as Daisy began to dominate, and as they committed themselves to attack they were caught out in the 72nd minute when Stone restored their two goal lead. A run and cross from the right found Anthony Danylyck in space on the edge of the box, and he beat Murphy with a shot into the roof of the net. Four minutes later Daisy wasted a chance to pull themselves back into the game, when they were awarded a penalty after Barry Edwardson was pulled back inside the box. However, Carl Dermott's spot kick was well saved by Stone keeper Stuart Pope down at the right hand post. An entertaining game on a pleasant sunny afternoon but unfortunately the points went back to Staffordshire. Saturday 15th September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 5 NELSON 0 After a run of four straight defeats, another revamped Daisy side finally got back to winning ways with an impressive display against Nelson. Craig Cunningham made his first appearance in midfield, Matty Worthington made his first home start, and Dominic Shinks and Karl Jones returned after missing the last three games. Daisy took the lead in the eight minute when Carl Dermott was allowed time space to get on the end of a Dave Aspinall corner, and his firm header gave Nelson keeper Mark Canning no chance. As torrential rain began to fall Nelson came more into the game, and on 17 minutes Dermott was involved in the action at the other end when Nelson's Kiko Rodriguez set up Stuart Mulligan, and Dermott somehow managed to deflect his shot from close range over the bar. Straight away a mistake in the Nelson defence let Karl Jones in, and his cross found Steve Ellaby who shot wide from 15 yards. Jones and Shinks were giving the Nelson defence all sorts of problems and three times in the space of five minutes midway through the half, both could have inceased the lead. A Jones shot was scambled away for a corner, and straight afterwards a good run and shot from Shinks was smothered by the keeper. On the half half a fine run and cross from the left by Jones was met by Shinks, but the Nelson keeper again made a good save. Right on half time the Jones/Shinks combination this time created a chance for Steve Ellaby on the edge of the box and he beat the keeper with a shot into the right hand corner. Within seven minutes of the restart Daisy put the game out of reach with two more goals. Shinks put Jones in on goal, and although the keeper made a good save from the shot he couldn't hold it, and Matty Worthington was on hand to finish from close range. Two minutes later Shinks got the goal he deserved when he latched on to a long ball forward, outpaced the defence and finished with a shot into the bottom corner. The scoring was wrapped up on the hour when Shinks set up Aspinall, who crashed a shot into the top right corner from 20 yards. A thoroughly impressive display, and one which left the Nelson contingent shell shocked into silence. Tuesday 11th September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two STONE DOMINOES 4 DAISY HILL 0 The inaugural game at Stone Dominoes new ground in Stoke-on-Trent proved to be a difficult one for Daisy. Under the cosh for most of the first half, Daisy conceded just the one goal before the break, due in no small way to keeper Andy Murphy who made several outstanding saves in the opening 45 minutes. In the second half Daisy rallied and started to cause the home side a few problems. However, two quick goals from Stone midway through the second hlf quickly killed off any hopes of taking something from the game, and the fourth near the end simply rubbed salt in the wound. Daisy's man of the match was undoubtedly Andy Murphy, who is shaping up as a good acquisition. Saturday 8th September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 2 BACUP BOROUGH 3 Daisy made a number of changes from the starting line up which lost heavily to Stand Athletic, and introduced Andy Murphy in goal and Glynn Williams up front for their first appearances. Bacup were along familiar lines, with much the same line up as that which appeared at New Sirs at the end of last season, including last year's Division Two player of the year Nicky Taylor. Playing with a strong wind at their backs Bacup enjoyed most of the possession in the opening stages but created little in the way of clear cut chances until the 26th minute, when Paul Waine clipped the bar with a shot from 25 yards. Daisy responded straight away, and Simon Corns and Gary Cunliffe linked up well to create a shooting chance for Steve Brockley, who fired wide from 20 yards. In the 32nd minute Bacup took the lead when danger man Nicky Taylor found Jason Lanns unmarked on the edge of the box, and he finished with a shot in off the post. However, five minutes from the break Daisy were back on level terms, when a corner from Dave Aspinall curled straight into the top corner of the net. With the wind at their backs in the second half, Daisy appeared to have the advantage but a Stuart Farnell header 45 seconds after the restart saw them immediately fall behind again. It took them another 15 minutes to pull themselves back into the game with a well worked goal. Simon Corns made a run down the right flank and curled a cross into the box, and Paul Prescott finished with a low shot into the corner of the net from six yards. Daisy then began to control the game, but were caught by a breakaway goal 16 minutes from time. A pass from midfield found Bacup's Paul Waine in space, and he let fly with a shot from 25 yards which flew into the top left hand corner of the net to clinch the points for Bacup. A bad goal to lose from a defensive point of view, but you had to admire the quality of the strike. Tuesday 4th September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 1 STAND ATHLETIC 7 Nelson was bad enough but this................. Saturday 1st September 2001 North West Counties League Division Two NELSON 9 DAISY HILL 1 Keeper Ryan Del Pinto broke two bones in his hand late in the first half when we were 2-0 down, we had a good spell early in the second half when we were 3-1 down (Barry Edwardson scoring), it was 3-1 until the 71st minute and 4-1 until the 80th minute. Apart from that details are too painful to recall. Tuesday 28th August 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 3 BOOTLE 1 Daisy lined up with the same starting eleven as was fielded in the Darwen game seven days earlier, with Barry Edwardson and Karl Jones coming in for Dominic Shinks and Steve Ellaby. With only two minutes on the clock Daisy opened the scoring when Paul Prescott put Barry Edwardson in on goal, and he finished with a low shot under the keeper. Almost immediately Prescott nearly made it two with a shot from the edge of the box which beat the keeper and flew just over the bar. Midway through the half Prescott was involved in creating another chance with a back heel into the path of Karl Jones, who mishit his shot at the keeper. However, on 27 minutes a long ball forward caught out the Bootle defence and put Edwardson in a one-on-one with the keeper. The shot was saved and rebounded clear, but from the loose ball Dave Aspinall floated a cross in and Edwardson got on the end to make no mistake. Daisy were well in command at this point and six minutes later Steve Brockley made it 3-0 with his first goal for the club. As Jimmy Collins chipped the ball over the heads of the advancing Bootle defenders, Brockley timed his run from deep to beat the offside trap, and he collected the bal, sidestepped the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net. The long ball over ther top was catching out the Bootle defence time after time, and on 38 minutes Jones was put through on goal, and although he struck the shot firmly, Tony Molloy in the Bootle goal raected well to beat the ball out. The half time consensus from the Bootle contingent in the committee room was that it could have been six or seven, and they were happy to have escaped with conceding only three. In the second half, Bootle did begin to rally and enjoyed more possession than in the first half, although they created little in the way of clear goalscoring opportunities. They did however, pull one goal back 15 minutes from time when Anthony Love planted a header into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Daisy tightened up at the back, and played out the remainder of the game without further incident to collect the three points. Saturday 25th August 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 3 HOLKER OLD BOYS 0 Daisy made two changes to the team which started against Darwen, with Dominic Shinks and Steve Ellaby replacing Barry Edwardson and Karl Jones. Daisy were never in trouble once Steve Ellaby opened the scoring on 11 minutes. Jimmy Collins broke down the right and fired a low cross into the six yard box which found Ellaby unmarked at the far post, and he finished from close range. Four minutes later another Collins cross into the box found Paul Prescott, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Steve Ellaby came close with two headers and Carl Dermott tested the Holker keeper as Daisy dominated the first half, but at the break it was still just the one goal separating the sides. However, within four minutes of the restart Daisy scored twice to put the game beyond reach and establish the winning margin which their performance deserved. Straight from the kick off Daisy won possession and Dominic Shinks set off on a run down the right flank. After shrugging off a challeneg he cut the ball back into the box, and Paul Prescott met the ball on the volley to fire an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net. Two minutes later Ian West put the game beyond the reach of the Cumbrians, when he beat the outstretched arms of the keeper with a looping header from a Jimmy Collins corner. Later in the game a Steve Brockley run and shot, and another Ian West header from a Mike Bennett cross could have increased the lead, and as the hot conditions began to take their toll on both sets of players, substitutes from both sides were brought into the game. However, neither side created any other chances of note iand the game drifted to its conclusion with Daisy well in control. Although the opposition offered little in the way of threat, this was none the less a satisfactory performance from Daisy, achieved without ever really needing to get into top gear. Tuesday 21st August 2001 North West Counties League Division Two DAISY HILL 2 DARWEN 1 Daisy brought Carl Dermott, Gary Cunliffe and Karl Jones into the starting line up, with Mike Bennett and Steve Ellaby dropping onto the bench. Daisy had an early scare when Darwen's Scott Grundy had the ball in the net but the referee ruled that he had controlled the ball with his hand. The next chance also fell to Darwen when a 20 yard shot from Dennis Hill hit the side netting. Daisy fought back and created two good chances in a minute around the half hour mark. First, a shot by Paul Prescott was nearly turned in by Karl Jones, and a minute later Prescott again came close when he was put through but his cross-cum-shot flew across the goal. However, on 32 minutes Daisy's first league goal of the season finally arrived. Si Corns won the ball on halfway, and fed Dave Aspinall, whose first time ball found Karl Jones on the edge of the box. He took the ball in his stride and finished with a chip shot over the keeper. Almost straight away a miskick by Ryan Del Pinto landed at the feet of Darwen's Phillip Rose, whose first time shot just missed the target from 30 yards. Last chance of the first half was created by Prescott, when he put Aspinall in on goal, but he mishit his shot straight at the keeper. Karl Jones had a chance to increase the lead a minute into the second half when a misunderstanding in the Darwen defence left him with the ball at his feet 30 yards out, but his shot missed the target. Midway through the half a long clearance from Del Pinto caught out the Darwen defence, but Barry Edwardson's shot was well blocked by the keeper. As the game entered the last ten minutes, another miskicked clearance landed this time at the feet of Steve Brockley, and his chip from the half way line evaded the keeper but drifted just to the right of goal. However, with six minutes left, substitute Dominic Shinks beat the offside trap, set off down the right flank and squared to Jones who finished from six yards for his and Daisy's second. A nervous last few minutes was ensured when Paul Baker pulled a goal back for Darwen with 3 minutes left, but Daisy held on to claim their first win of the new league season. Saturday 18th August 2001 North West Counties League Divison Two DAISY HILL 0 NORTON UNITED 1 New faces all round for the opening game of the new season, with Daisy fielding eight players making their league debuts for the club against the new boys from the Potteries, Norton United. The first clearcut goalscoring opportunity produced the only goal of the game on 12 minutes. A long ball forward caught out the Daisy defence, and Norton centre forward Daniel Higgins took full advantage to write his name in the record books as the scorer of Norton's first ever league goal. He collected the loose ball, advanced on goal and coolly slotted the ball past the advancing Ryan Del Pinto into the corner of the net from 15 yards. Shortly afterwards Norton had another half chance, but Coxon's shot was fielded easily by Del Pinto. Daisy's best efforts in the opening period came lat in the first half. First, a Mike Bennett free kick was headed wide by Ian West, and then right on half time, Si Corns picked up a loose ball and tested Norton keeper Paul Stanway from 20 yards, but the keeper smothered the shot at his far post. With Gary Cunliffe replacing Mike Bennett at half time, Daisy picked up the pace early in the second half and Paul Prescott was unlucky when he picked up the ball in midfield, and just missed the target with a shot from 20 yards. Daisy began to dominate but still struggled to break through the massed ranks of the Norton defence. Barry Edwardson was unlucky with a snap shot which was deflected over for a corner, and then with nine minutes left an Adam Lawrence corner found the head of Steve Brockley, but his header missed the target by a yard. As Daisy threw men forward in the dying seconds, Barry Edwardson almost snatched a point when he picked up a loose ball inside thebox, quickly turned and shot. The keeper was beaten but the ball crept just past the post. A disappointing start, but the season is a marathon and not a sprint. GOLDLINE TROPHY REVIEW The first Trophy game took place on Sunday 29th July, on a pleasant sunny afternoon. Turton was the destination and a number of players were able to enjoy the sunshine and scenery around rural Lancashire as they cruised along country lanes looking for the ground. However, everyone got there in the end, and the team which took the field was comprised largely of players who were on the books last season. Daisy took the lead early on through Paul Prescott but had to reshuffle when Dominic Shinks left the field with an injury. They held out until 10 minutes from the end when Justin Hughes equalised for Turton. On Thursday 2nd August, the second game in the series took place just up the A6 at Blackrod, with Blackrod Town providing the opposition. Manager Alan Aspinall took the opportunity to give a number of new players a run out, and also changed formations at half time, trying players who started the game in different positions in the second half. After an evenly matched first half Blackrod took the lead a couple of minutes before the break, but almost immediately after the restart, Paul Greenacre pulled Daisy back on level terms. Daisy then enjoyed their best spell of the game, and could have had the game tied up as they wasted a number of excellent opportunities in front of goal. However, against the run of play Blackrod went 2-1 ahead midway through the half via the penalty spot, after Steve Brockley had been rather harshly judged to have fouled the Blackrod centre forward when challenging for the ball. With 15 minutes left a fine shot from 20 yards beat Paul Williams in the Daisy goal for Blackrod's third goal, putting the game out of Daisy's reach. This result left Daisy struggling to qualify for the latter stages of the competition and it meant that victory over Radcliffe Amateurs on Tuesday 7th August was essential. Heavy rain during the day meant that the match was in doubt up to the kick off, but the pitch was passed as playable and three goals in each half saw Daisy cruise to a 6-1 victory. Daisy were never in trouble once they established a two goal lead early in the first half, Martin Hastings the marksman on both occasions. He finished his first from close range after good work from Barry Edwardson, and the second was a delightful chip over the advancing keeper from 20 yards. Daisy's third goal came a few minutes from the break, when Paul Prescott surged forward from midfield, shrugged off two tackles and slotted the ball into the corner of the net from inside the penalty box. Torrential rain during the second half made conditions very difficult for the players. Radcliffe pulled a goal back with 18 minutes left, but Daisy re-established their three goal lead almost immediately when Paul Prescott rounded the keeper to score. With 10 minutes left Prescott completed his hat trick when he finished with a low shot from an Adam Lawrence cross, and Dominic Shinks wrapped up the scoring a few minutes from time when he collected a Prescott pass, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net from an acute angle. In the final game on Saturday 11th August, Daisy Hill progressed to the quarter finals of the Goldline trophy after eventually getting the better of Pennington in a seven goal thriller at New Sirs. Pennington, with several former Daisy Hill players in their starting eleven, took an early lead when Carl Caffrey took advantage of slackness in the home defence to open the scoring. Daisy equalised on the half hour when an Adam Lawrence cross evaded the outstretched hand of Pennington keeper Mark Sumner, and was headed in at the back post by Barry Edwardson. Pennington hit back immediately and another defensive slip allowed Caffrey to put them back in front, but within two minutes Daisy were level again when Edwardson notched his second with a fine chip over the keeper. Early in the second half Daisy survived a scare when Steve Brockley headed off the line during a goalmouth scamble, and soon afterwards Daisy's trialist keeper made a good stop in a one on one encounter. However, 15 minutes into the second half Pennington were ahead again after a through ball caught out the Daisy defence and the impressive Caffery collected the ball, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home to complete his hat trick. Five minutes later Daisy won a free kick on the edge of the box and substitute Dave Collins floated the ball over the defensive wall and into the net to pull Daisy level again. The winner came 13 minutes from time, when Dominic Shinks flicked a long clearance beyond keeper Sumner into the path of Barry Edwardson, who was left to roll the ball into the net to put Daisy in front for the first time and complete his hat trick. Pennington continued to apply pressure to the end, but Daisy held out to secure victory and move into the later stages of the competition.