Dan’s timing impeccable for Hatters
IF you’re going to score one goal a season, then make it special, Dan Cowan opened his account in the last game of the regular season with an absolute gem of a goal to rescue a point and seal fifth spot and guarantee home advantage in the play-off quarter final.
I had some pre match nerves leading up to kick off – Chorley needed to overturn a six goal deficit, there was no way they would do that!
But this is County and I’ve seen all too often our team shoot itself in the foot when a point was needed.
Indeed, the afternoon didn’t go exactly to plan.
When Darlington scored though I was full of rage and disbelief in equal measure. Michael Clarke was assaulted (the bloody nose was enough to confirm that to anyone in the ground, with the exception of the referee) and as everyone waited for the whistle the Darlo forwards virtually walked the ball into Ian Ormson’s net.
I find it hard to blame any individual for their goal other than the ref but he continually blew for the most insignificant misdemeanour while completely ignoring the big decisions.
Matty Warburton and Scott Duxbury both had to leave the pitch with bad injuries – that hopefully won’t stop them playing on Wednesday – due to the referee.
However, another record crowd for this division lifted the team.
Some 6,164 saw Dan Cowan pick the ball up near the half way line, as the defence stood off, he pushed on and on and on. The ball sat up, a gap appeared and the ball was in the back of the net, a stunning piece of individualism and a real goal of the season contender.
From there, I think both sides settled for the draw, the Darlo players were thinking about the beach while the boys in blue knew that they were safe in fifth. We did have chances though, at both ends of the park.
Darren Stephenson was a constant threat even Stephen O’Halloran had a couple of shots.
George West and Szymon Czubik were brought on for match minutes, Harry Brazel and Bohan Dixon started without really offering much they were both a constant irritation to the visiting midfield.
Overall then the season is a massive improvement on 2016-17, whatever happens in the play-offs.
Can we win them? Why not? Over one game, winner takes all; I’d fancy us against anyone!