Springhill Dads v Securicor
by Scoop

Sunday 8th September 02

    The start of the Dads season finally comes around and the prospect of a match against Securicor has the Dads salivating . . . a bumper turn-out is expected.  Dave Smith is on holiday and Jon Elms hasn't turned up, never mind we've got hot-shot Dave Hedges fancying his chances up front.  Les has had to cry off from his goal-keeping duties due to his advanced years and the damage his body has incurred over the years and Robbie Thorpe hasn't made it - luckily Harry (the Cat) Virdee is available.
   Andy Simpson, after pestering Mal all summer for some footie was given his call-up, at last.  Unfortunately, Andy's got pneumonia - that's what his Mum said, anyway.  'Ere, didn't Andy have pneumania last season . . . that must make it double pneumania.
    Oh, and Martin's turned up with a brand new hair cut - or, rather, the lack of one, the jury's still out on that one.

Springhill Dads
Harry Virdee
Paul Hanvey - Brian Medway - Jim Allen - Mal Barton
Les Maros - Martin Kingsbry - Tony Pascoe - John Frisby
Dave Hedges - Tony O'Neill
Subs; Jason Franklin, Mark Shipside.                               

    The game kicked off with Securicor playing into the sun(?) with only 10 men and a make-shift keeper in goal.  The Dads were putting some good moves together and it wasn't long before Dave Hedges was put through following a nice bit of play up the right flank with Les and Martin linking well, the Bellmoor Old Boys connection.  Tony O'Neill squared it for Dave Hedges, with the goalkeeper quaking.  Dave took one touch to set himself up and sliced the ball away for a throw-in.
    Dave wasn't alone in squandering chances, Mal(?) lumped one clearance over the defence for Tony Pascoe to chase.  He beat the defender, no trouble, but could only manage to confuse himself and watch the ball run out of play.  Mal took this opportunity to duck out and bring Mark into the fray.
     The Dads were really on top of the game and surely it was only a matter of time before they got off the mark.  Tony and Martin were really on top in mid-field and, with little coming down the left, John Frisby was getting forward and making the extra man up front.  About now the Securicor keeper turned up to even out the numbers.
    But Securicor were still having trouble containing a rampant Dads XI and were forced to concede a series of corners.  One comedy moment saw Martin fire in an absolute rocket from a clearance only to see it blocked by Dave and, for some reason, Brian ended up in the back of the net?
    As good as the Dads were playing and as many goals up as they should have been - Securicor had 3 or 4 young lads in their side and caught the Dads out as they were pushing up.  That one with the orange socks who looked a bit like Jordi Cruyf broke away, rounded Mark, lifted the ball over Brian and squared the ball to that player that looked a bit like Giggs' young brother.  Giggs jnr's shot was well blocked by Harry but Jordi hammered in the rebound, from the narrowest angle under pressure from Paul and Jim, and got a good kick at Harry's ribs for good measure - with the Dads defence in total disarray.
    The Dads weren't phased - that was totally against run of play and just for good measure Dave Hedges managed to get one onto the cricket pitch from near the penalty spot after Tony O had short circuited the defence and found with one of his flicks (for a change).

Half Time
Dads 0 - 1 Securicor

    The half time talk was possitive just keep playing and put more pressure on their goal and Tony O made way for Jason to have a run-out.   From the kick off it was a quite obvious why Securicor had chosen to kick-off the first half into the sun.  The sun was now shining right across the park directlty into Harry's eyes.
    But on the very first attack the Dads put the Securicor goal under extreme pressure - the approach play from defence through mid-field was a joy and Dave even managed to get a shot on target, unfortunately, it was a bit soft and the keeper managed to stroll out to collect.  His clearance was intercepted by Jim who hoisted it into the area where the Dads were queing up for shots, Tony O headed down for Brian who managed to lift the ball over the bar from the goal-line.
     Dave did eventually get on the score sheet in a goal-mouth scramble when got a tap-in with the keeper on his a*** and the defence AWOL.  You should of heared the crowd cheer - almost as loud as when he was missing.
    It was about now that Securicor decided that they wanted to play - or was it that the Dads summer training kicked -in.  Jordi broke from mid-field and fired in a curling drive into the top corner - even Robbie couldn't have saved that one.  Then Giggsie and Jordie broke, a one two took out a back peddaling defence and Giggie stuck the ball under Harry's body and kneed him in the head.
    It was about now that Harry was starting to have mis-givings about appearing in goal for the Dads.  To cheer up Harry, looking a bit second hand and gingerly rubbing his ribs and his head, the Dads took some of the pressure off and launched a well constructed offensive, Dave was put through with time and only the keeper to beat.  He must score - well he'll at least force the keeper to make a save, well perhaps not!  Jordi took the throw-in and Giggsie blasted in another goal this time low into the bottom corner.
    How many's that - I dunno, they got 5 anyway.  In that second half the dads just ran out of steam and those young-uns just cut loose.  Scoop forgets how many brilliant saves Harry made, alltogether - he was a giant.  Towards the end Paul let Mal come back on for a last run around and Tony O'Neill came on for John Frisby but the game was over.  Never mind, chaps, Jon Elms should be back for the next game!

Full Time
Dads 1 - 5 Securicor

    Man of the Match
            Jon Elms

  Didn't put a foot wrong