4th October 2003 - Thornden School

  A bit of a mix-up arranging this game. It was all fixed up for the 17th at the Sporty and then the Workers manager went on holliday with his mates all set for the 24th? Lucky we checked up the week before and managed to sort out another game for the 24th.
  The Workers games are always keenly contested and as this one is for The Cup and The Dads took the honours the last time we met at the end of last season . . . this one should be interesting!

Springhill Dads
Les Maros
Tim Hart - Brian Medway - Jon Elms- Robbie Thorpe
Harry Virdee - Jim Allen - Dave Hedges - Tony Pascoe
Thomas - Kevin Switzer
Subs: Dean Martin, Sean Whelan, Trevor, Martin.                       

  The game kicked off and the Dads were on the offensive straight away. They pushed the Workers back and they were forced to conceded a number of corners . . . . a few clearance balls were fired over the fence into the stream to give them breathing space.
  Some good mid-field passing up the left side Jon feeding Tony, a bit of crisp passing between Dave and Jim and Tom's shot was parried by the keeper and the rebound came out to Kevin Switzer who controlled the loose ball, brought it forward and unleashed a drive passed the keeper into the side netting.

  1 - 0

  The Dads were on top and controlling the game. On the odd occassion that the Workers managed to break the Dads defence Jon Elms and Brian in the heart, Tim and Robbie on the flanks soaked it all up.
  Then, uncharacteristically, Tim tripped over his own feet when pressed by a workers challenge but gratiously accepted the free kick. He quickly played it on to Tony Pascoe who threaded the ball on for Tom to have a shot which he blazed over from 15 yards.
  The Dads supremacy was making one or two (well Ok, one) a little complacent as Robbie lost possession and the Workers forward let fly with a low drive which forced Les to spare Robbie blushes with a great save.
  Play again broke down but Les was alert and come out to smother a chance at the feet of the Workers forward and took a knock for his trouble, another sports injury to add to the list.
  Tom tried a speculative long range lob from 40 yards which Jon would have been proud of. It gave the fence a right old shaking!
  Time for some changes ; Dean on for Robbie, Martin on for Dave and Trevor on for Harry.
  Kevin broke down the right cut in and crossed for Martin to shoot. The keeper fumbled his save but was lucky to be able to get in the clearance.
  The Dads were loosing shape a bit with all the substitutions and the Workers started to get a bit of possession. If Jon and Brian were getting paid, they would have been earning it. But, eventually a forward managed to get through and Les did well to tip his shot around the post.
 Towards the end of the half Jim stepped up to have a shot but his curling effort went wide.

Half Time 1 - 0

  Half time substitutions ; Harry on for Les and Sean on for Tim.
  The second half continued much as the first with the Dads well on top.From a lovely piece of sweeping play Dave crossed to Dean in space on the left but his effort flew over.
  Then a key moment in the game during some uninspiring play the Workers centre back decided to raise his arm to handle the ball? For a change the Dads didn't take a quick free kick but actually took their time and got themselves organised. Jon Elms curled a left footed cross right into the danger area and in came Jim Allen on a perfectly timed run to meet the ball and stroke it into the net.

  2 - 0

  The Workers centre back for some reason, now started to complain about the Dads' rolling substitutions. Don't suppose it was anything to do with his hand ball gifting the Dads their free kick, was it? I suppose Sean, suffering from the cold, all wrapped up in his woolie jumper, bobble hat, gloves and scarf accidentally bumping into him didn't help! Still, running away was definitely the right decision. The second half got a bit wingey, now with the Workers complaining about the rolling subs. It's not normally an issue and it actually interrupted the flow of play but as it was a Cup game, maybe we should have checked first.
  Tom was going to get a present if he scored but it must have made him a bit over anxious cos when he was put through again, this time by Robbie he choked and blazed wide. Hard luck, Tom.
   The Workers really wanted to get something back and nearly did at the end. But they couldn't get over the rolling sub thing and Jon had every sympathy and wouldn't dream of trying to wind them up. When a dipping shot was brilliantly tipped over by Harry.
   And at the death Robbie was put clear into box one on one with the keeper only to blasted wide.

Full Time
Springhill Dads 2 - 0 The Workers

            Man of the Match
                   Jon Elms

  Great battling display in both halves and for delivering that free kick.

Players Awards 2003

Dave Hedges' acceptance speech; Dave had been practising his speech for weeks but when it looked like he wasn't going to actually win anything he backed out of rendering it to the Dads. A lot of disappointed fellows!

ELVIVE - 'Because I'm worth it' award. Last years winner, Martin Kingsbury will make the award to this year's best turned out Dad. Previous winners : - Tim Hart (young Richard Gere) and John (Max) Frisby. Possible - Rob Frisby, Baggy T shirt. Tony Pascoe, Special achievement for playing in 'Man at C&A' Jumper.
  Martin went off in a sulk when he arrived for the game too late to grab a shirt and took the award with him - this award will be announced via email and presented after the next Dads home match.

Golden Boot : - There was only one contender for this award doubling the number of goals to his nearest rival.
  Thomas

Player of the year : - Lots of nominations, Owen O'Milton, Tony Pascoe. Tim Hart. Tom. Harry Virdee. but there was only one correct nomination.
The Winner of Player of the Year 2003 is : -
  For his outstanding contribution over the years, ever present last season and Dads Tourist - one of the only present Dads at the first Springhill Dads game vs St mary's in 1987 . . . But the clincher, a quote from the Tour, when asked if there might be any plans to add to his family of 7, 8, 9(?) in the future . . . . . . . 'Yeah'
  Brian Medway

Own Goal of the Year : - There were a number of worthy contributions, last year but there can be only one winner for the sheer quality and overwhelming quantity of own goals, it's got to be : -
  Sean Whelan

Life Time Achievement Award (sponsored by Zimmer) : - Not presented cos Andy Simson didn't turn up.

Other nominations

  Les Maros : - Most Sports Injuries in one season.
  Commemorative award for outstanding services to local industry : - Jon Elms, sponsored by New forest Fencing.
  Beating own drum award : - Rob Thorpe.
  Least number of appearances : - Jerry Pugh, Jason Furness, Paul Hanvey, Andy Simpson (also nominated for most pathetic retirement excuse).
  Lack of sympathy towards the career ending injury : - Springhill Dads
  Best Crash of the tour : - Mal Barton