. A friendly against
another old enemy – they’re not the power they
were and had been further weakened by injuries and
overtime. Although, no Dave Hedges, Dave Smith, Jon Elms
or John Frisby, Andy was fit again and the Dads managed
to put a strong side out and the omens were looking good.
. Both sides had an extra man so it was decided to play
12 a side.SPRINGHILL DADS
Robbie Thorpe
Paul Hanvey – Brian Medway – Tony Pascoe –
John Lynch
Mark Shipside – Jim Allen – Martin Kingsbury -
Jason Furness
Matt McLachlan – Simon – Andy Simpson
No Subs!
. Scoop had hardly found
his seat and his heroes were two nil down? The first was
from a break down the flank and the Maples forward cut
inside to slot casually home passed Robbie. If that
wasn’t bad enough another break and the Dads were
forced to concede a corner, which was fired over, and a
Maples forward climbed unchallenged for a free header.
Ignoring Robbie’s calls to, ‘keep your
shape’(?), Tim was pulled back to help tie things up
at the back and Paul revisited an earlier incarnation
when he played up front with Simon. This was a bit better
the Dads were getting in amongst them.
Jason grew first blood when he made another of his
trademark sliding tackles in the box (Oooh, nasty) and
Jim drew a fine save out of the keeper when he had a
30-yard drive from a throw in. The Dads were managing to
get some pressure on Maples now and Paul Hanvey was
unlucky to see a shot flash wide. Paul continued with the
good work combining with Mark Shipside who tee’d one
up for Jim Allen to have another shot, this time a curler
into the top corner was turned over.
. HALF TIME
. DADS 0 – 2 MAPLES
Jim again put the keeper under pressure when his shot was
blocked but the ball fell to MARTIN KINGSBURY who took a
touch and tried a lob into the box. Young bearded Ralph
and the keeper combined to get in each other’s way
and the ball dropped over the line to wild Dads cheers.
Tony Pascoe started come into play and made the extra man
played a one-two with Jim before putting the ball through
for Andy to spin and shoot. The ball cannoned off the
post to safety. Something happened on the edge of the
Dads box – there was a tentative, girlie call for a
free kick from somewhere, a Maples player maybe and no
one argued?
Ace reporter, Scoop has a theory that the call came from
Robbie in goal – he looked quite excited by the
activity in lining up the wall and hopping back and for
along his line. Methinks he’s been watching too much
TV. Still he’ll be a Southampton supporter next
season when David Seaman is wearing the Saints red and
white!
The free kick was good; a curler up and around the wall
but Robbie was ready and punched it away to safety. Brian
cleared the danger with a big clearance, Mark went
scampering after it and got a shot off but it was parried
at the foot of the past.
Somehow Brian had caught up with play and hammered the
loose ball over the bar. The Dads were lining up and were
peppering the Maples goal with shots now but their keeper
was pulling off miracles to keep out the football
avalanche. Andy fired over. Mark had a shot blocked by a
Maples’ defenders crown jewels – brought tears
to my eyes! Jason had one of his long range shots tipped
over and saw another headed over.
Out of the blue Maples broke and Robbie had to be alert
to finger tip an awkward cross into the box.
A quick punt up-field and pandemonium broke out in the
Maples goal mouth. Ralph playing out of his skin cleared
off his line, Tony tried something which turned out to be
an up-and-under – Eddie Wearing would have loved it.
Another defender on the line headed away, straight to JIM
ALLEN who hammered it through the crowded goal mouth to
score.
Jason swung a ball in from the right and Andy headed on
for JIM ALLEN to smashed it in from the narrowest angle.
At last the Dads were in front – with seconds left
on the clock and, as the Maples manager and Mal were
calling time, the Dads allowed Maples to kick off.
They broke up-field and . . . astonishingly, scored. Time
was definitely up, now - the next lot were on the pitch,
warming up.
FULL TIME
DADS 3 – 3/2(?) MAPLES
MOM
TIM HART
Cos his terrier tackling put the bite on Maples and
I’ve just come by a suitable picture.
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