Friday 14th October 2004

Springhill Dads
Harry Virdee
John Lynch - Bryn Jones - Alan Pinchenedon
Josh Medway - Owen Milton - Jim Allen - Adam
Rob Thorpe - Thomas
Playing for the Old Boys; Mal Barton, Martin Kingsbury, Les Maros              

Can the Dads keep up their fantastic winning sequence, with a side weakened(?) by withdrawals and injuries?  Dave Hedges has to baby sit, Jon Elms remembered at 4:30 that he'd rather go out with his missus for a pint, Tony Pascoe has been abducted and is being held to ransom (in the pub after the game we raised 57p, two washers and 20 pesetas - hope it helps, Oh you owe us £3 for the game subs), Chris Andrews is still working up to playing his one game (almost there), we still haven't got the wheelchair access sorted for Andy Simpson, Tim's stacking shelves at Sainsbury's, Brian's bionic knee has finally packed in (he's waiting for spare parts),

Before the game could kick-off the Dads gave the Old Boys their most experienced player (OK - oldest player), Mal to make the numbers even - 10 a side. Les was also complaining about one of his latest injuries, a limp wrist, and was trying to get Harry or Rob to go in goal for the Old Boys - without any joy whatsoever
Mal slotted in at left back and looked right at home with an equally decrepit set of athletes. Looking up he could see why they asked him to play at left back. He was facing Josh (the youngest, fittest and fastest Dad), on their right wing, gulp. The Dads were welcoming Alan Pinchington to the side - 6'5", Alan, 39, is a genuine, pucker Springhill Dad and is sure to be a valuable addition to the side. As the Dads were a bit short, Owen brought Bryn along from ABPorts. The Dads generously sized blue and white shirts fitted Alan & Bryn to a tee hee! Previously, Alan was a strongman in the circus and played centre back for Ford Open Prison, D Wing.
The game kicked off in reasonable weather for the time of year a slight breeze and the rain had been stopped on cue as usual! It didn't seem very long - must have been the Old Boys first attack when Mal slipped the ball through to Malc driving into the box from left midfield. Malc continued into the box and placed his effort comfortably under Harry's despairing dive into the back of the net. 0 - 1. The Dads couldn't remember reading that in the script.

Against all expectations the Dads actually turned things around and started to actually trouble the Old Boys. Adam, Jim, Josh and Owen were really bossing the midfield. One sweeping move took the ball up-field and the ball bobbed up in front of Robbie who flashed a speculative boot at it and he was even more amazed than the rest of the Dads to see it loop over Les and nestle in the bottom of the goal net.

Poor Josh was getting some dodgy tackles off Mal, he protested his innocence and tried to put it down to clumsiness! Thomas ran into the box to pick up a loose ball, took it on a few yards and from a narrow angle, targeted the inside the bottom of the near post. Les appeared to have it covered but his limp wrist let him down. To his despair the ball squirmed past is glove into the net.

Then from some concerted pressure the Dads forced a corner. Owen fired the ball into the box, it was cleared but, only as far as Adam who volleyed it back in but Les could only divert it into the roof of the net.

Half Time
Dads 3 - 1 Bellemoore

The Old Boys were feeling hard done by at half time. They were obviously the better team - playing some good football and should not be behind. Martin took charge and organised the come back. His half time coaching master class was fantastic - Wiggley should have been watching. A tactical reshuffle which included switching to three at the back and pushed Mal up into mid-field, to get forward and help out the attack but get back and defend when the Dads get the ball! The Old Boys surged back onto the field energised and full of self belief and enthusiasm.

From the kick-off the Dads meandered up to the edge of the Old Boys box. Adam found himself infront of goal with the ball at his feel. He took a swing at it - Les look quite miserable to see it fly past him but cheered momentarily to see it rebound of the post. Only for his emotions to take a complete flip-flop as the ball hit the other post and ended up in the net.

Thomas must have though that was a good trick so, on the next assault, he had a go at repeating it but he could only managed the first post, the ball whizzing past the second and out for a throw-in. This must have upset the Nipper playing at centre back for the Old Boys cos he and Thomas had a couple of 'moments' shortly after but a little later the handbags were put away and the game continued.

But Thomas did get on the score sheet again with a good shot into the back of the net after a mazey run through the Old Boys defence. That felt good!

Robbie wasn't going to be outdone and got his second after elbowing his way through a crowd on the edge of the penalty area to fluke a shot against the crossbar which dropped behind Les and dropped the line. The Old Boys were looking a bit miffed by Robbie robust elbows out style of play.

Les was looking a bit sorry for himself so, in an attempt to easy Les's pain, Mal tried to coax Rob into swapping with the Old Boys keeper. With typical charity and Corinthian spirit Mal was given some dockyard advise.

The Old Boys weren't finished and put the Dads under some pressure at the end. Martin was trying his hardest to get something going but he was playing against an embrionic Dads defence that would have kept out Man Utd. Bryn was a cool head in defence and cut out good chances and brought the ball away to set up the mid-field Alan was a rock doing his bit at the back and his clearances were coming down with ice on the ball and John Lynch was Mr Cool. But the Old Boys did get another chance - Malc skipped into the box to fire wide of Harry's attempted save into the net. Later, Malc should have made the most of another opportunity to get his hat-trick but unselfishly passed when a shot would have forced Harry to save.

In the dying seconds, Thomas had the ball - he just wasn't going to pass - he could see his hat-trick. He turned the Old Boys defence and the Dads attack inside-out in an attempt to open up a shooting opportunity. But his eventual shot fizzed harmlessly wide

The band wagon rolls on!

Full Time
Dads 6 - 2 Bellemoore

Man of the Match

                    Les Maros
      Couldn't have done it with out you, Les, cheers.