Report by Jools Thomas

Previous El Quackico match ups have been exciting affairs, incredibly close with goals aplenty coupled with the odd lack of indiscipline. Once again this was a close game but it lacked the passion associated with these occasions as the teams battled out a goalless draw.
There was plenty of huff and puff but little quality for the decent sized crowd on a glorious sunny day. The Moles had been forced to reshuffle their pack. Adam Logie and Kyle Anthony were unavailable and this meant recalls for both Brian Haule and Davis Haule. David Deeney was forced into an unfamiliar right back position and Jeanmal Prosper filled in at centre back. Ben Stevens continued his rehabilitation at centre half and he had a superb game, organising his troops well ensuring that the dangerous Stacy Field was kept at a safe distance.

The Ducks side had three ex-Moles in their ranks and it was Sonny French, a previous player of the year at Haywood Way, who created the first chance, a floated shot that FC keeper James Weatherill managed to gather. FC’s first chance was on the quarter of an hour mark as Bradey Wadkins headed wide from a Connor Baker corner. Four minutes later Baker played in another corner with Brian Haule this time rising above the defence to head over.

Stacy Field looked lively all afternoon and his effort midway through the half was blocked by Connor Baker for a corner. From the resultant play Field again had an opportunity, blasting the attempt over the bar. Shaun Owens looked to advance on 38 minutes with a cross shot which Prosper again cut out for yet another corner.

Four minutes later Stacey Field found space but his half volley whilst having power didn’t have the accuracy and failed to hit the target. There was a final chance for FC on half time which brought chances for both Wadkins and Davis Haule although neither was able to trouble Dan Green in the Ducks’ goal.

The second half’s opening opportunity fell to Aston Goss from a Gareth Price cross but he was unable to make an impression. Gareth was finding some luck down the right hand side and on 54 minutes he broke clear of his marker and raced in on goal. A rush of blood to the head occurred and Gareth smashed his shot wayward. Price’s next piece of play brought about FC’s best chance of the game. His cross found Ryan O’Toole whose goalbound chip was spectacularly palmed away by Green in the United goal.
A needlessly conceded free kick on 65 minutes was lofted over the FC wall by Field however it went the wrong side of the post from an away point of view. Sonny French was beginning to get a hold in midfield and went on one of his familiar barnstorming runs beating three men before releasing Owens who brought out the very best from James Weatherill for perhaps United’s best opportunity to break the deadlock.

The final few minutes saw both teams shut up shop and bar a Brian Haule near post header, the game was played out without further incident allowing the Ducks to break their Derby hoodoo and leave FC to think what might have bee