31/08/2026
McPave FC 2–3 Daventry Town Vets
A second game in four days for Daventry, this time against a mixed-age McPave First Team. On a warm Sunday morning, it was always going to be as much a test of the legs as the football.
Both sides started brightly. Daventry enjoyed plenty of possession and played some excellent football through the middle, while McPave defended superbly and looked dangerous on the counter.
Stand-in keeper Gary Ho**er was called into action after a rare Delroy Gordon slip, producing an excellent one-on-one save with his foot.
McPave eventually broke the deadlock around the half-hour mark. A long diagonal ball was cleverly touched back into the path of the wide player, who made no mistake with arguably the best chance of the half.
HT: McPave 1–0 Daventry
The second half was a completely different affair.
Daventry were handed an early opportunity from the penalty spot, but Andy Hall was denied by an excellent save from the McPave keeper.
The equaliser eventually arrived through some lovely football between Dan Porter, Ryhse Coleman and Joe Jessup, with Jessup powering his finish into the corner.
Sam Cooper then came within inches of putting Daventry ahead, smashing a left-footed volley against the inside of the post. The ball somehow rolled along the goal line rather than across it before being cleared. Football can be cruel.
Minutes later, Jessup decided subtlety was overrated and absolutely belted his second into the upper netting.
2–1 Daventry.
McPave weren't finished. Daventry lost possession in midfield and a ball forward released the striker, who carried it towards the area before producing a pinpoint finish in off the post.
2–2.
With only minutes remaining, Daventry won a free kick around 25 yards out.
Up stepped fan favourite Dan Porter.
Porter spotted the gap, bent a beauty around the wall and into the net to win it. A free kick worthy of deciding any game — and the perfect way to cap his Man of the Match performance.
FT: McPave FC 2–3 Daventry Town Vets
⚽⚽ Joe Jessup
⚽ Dan Porter
⭐ MOTM: Dan Porter
Two games in four days, plenty of tired legs, five goals and a late winner. Not a bad Sunday morning's work.