Coddington's cracker makes Cougars' point
Serving up the wide open attacking football fans paid to see, both teams created ample opportunities to come away with maximum points — though Cougars seemed to hold a slight edge over their cross-town rivals throughout this fast paced match that really could have gone either way.
Leading by example, opposing captains Carlos Smith and Domico Coddington converted for their clubs in clinical fashion from outside the box.
After Reginald Baker watched his header cleared off the goal-line and then Coddington smashed a rasping volley onto the crossbar, Smith capitalised at the opposite end by beating Clyde Darrell at the near post with a low drive from 25 yards against the run of play.
And suddenly the momentum shifted in Town’s favour.
Hornets’ reversion to the long ball down the flanks stretched the Cougars defence out of shape, providing their forwards with some good looks at goal from all angles.
Michael Parsons nearly cashed in on Town’s new-found confidence with a shot with the outside of the boot that went awfully close.
Diminutive full-back Keimo Bean then flirted with disaster when he completely mis-kicked the ball in the box providing the ever dangerous Carlos Smith with a one-on-one with Darrell between the uprights. Luckily for Bean and his Cougars’ team-mates, Smith’s effort from an acute angle was easily saved by the well-positioned ‘keeper, playing his first season in top flight football.
Darrell would also deny Parsons before the pendulum swung back in Cougars’ favour, allowing the Big Cats to finish the half off on a strong note as hard-working midfielder Chris Caisey shot just wide and Hornets ‘keeper Cymande Davis raced off his line to save at the feet of Coddington.
Referee Lyndon Raynor was also kept busy in the middle as he was forced to reach into his pocket on six occasions to maintain order.
Both teams continued to create chances for themselves after the break, but again it was Cougars who held the edge.
And it was never a matter of would the home team score, but rather when.
After bringing the crowd to their feet with a sensational diving-header that was brilliantly saved by Davis, Coddington set the Den abuzz with one of the best goals so far this season.
Awarded a free-kick about 25 yards out, Coddington curled his effort over the wall and into the bottom left corner despite Davis getting a hand to the ball to earn his team a fair share of the spoils.
Dandy Town: <$>C.Davis, C.Anderson, J.Peniston, D.Lawler (E.Signor, 50 mins), D.Zuill, O.Steede, M.Parsons, S.Tuzo (M.Smith, 60 mins), H.Wolfe (A.Russell, 70 mins), C.Smith (capt.), L.Dill.
Yellow cards<$>: O.Butterfield (Cougars); J.Peniston, D.Zuill, M.Parsons, H.Wolfe, L.Dill (Town).
Men of the match<$>: D.Coddington (Cougars); C.Smith (Town).
Referee: Lyndon Raynor.
