Les Payne's report : IT was a 3-0 scoreline that definitely did mean something to Dog Daisy Utd this time - enabling them to fulfill a dream and kick out of bed their nightmare!
A year ago, Dog Daisy were three up inside the first 11 minutes before becoming the only team ever to shed a three-goal lead and lose a final in the long history of the Mexborough Montagu Cup.
This time, there was a determination about them not to let anything slip through their fingers and it didn’t as they beat first-time finalists Dearne & District 3-0 in front of a large crowd at Hampden Road on Easter Monday.
A three-goal margin suggests it was straightforward but it wasn’t because Dog Daisy had to work hard and show great defensive qualities to quell the Central Midlands League outfit.
They did it so well that it wasn’t until that lead had been established midway through the second half that Dearne were really able to make a couple of clear opportunities. When they couldn’t capitalise, they, their opponents and everyone else, knew the game was up!
Dog Daisy went in front on 15 minutes and the ease of it was in contrast to the tight, in-your-face competitiveness from both sides in that opening spell.
Following a throw-in, Bayley Lowe eased forward, spotted the run from midfield of Curtis Wilkinson, slid the ball into his path and he guided it coolly past the advancing keeper. Devastatingly simple.