SPRINGHILL DADS v ROKE
MANOR ROVERS
by Jazzy
A game against Roke Manor, nothing to
lose and a nice bunch of lads to play against and what happens?
The A team go missing!! The fixtures secretary was going frantic
in the end, trying to get some kind of side together. Robbie
couldn't make it - married (but it’s OK Les is very hopeful
that he will be able to make it), no Jason - still struggling
with his ankle, Rob's crocked with a dodgey knee, John F -
firework display (12th man?), No Brian - has to mark homework,
Tim - is working up at Pirrie Bowling Club! (Number 9 pin).
Panic; mad phone calls; good old Martin to the rescue, Matt
persuaded to come along (to watch, snigger) and Senseless Bob
fancied a run out - there may be enough but the Sec. has lost
count.
SPRINGHILL DADS
Mal Barton
???? - Martin Kingsbury - Jim Allen - Mark Shipside
John Willis - Andy Simpson - Dave Hedges - John Frisby
Dave Smith - ????
Late arrival; Mathew McLaughlan
Even Later arrival; Tony Pascoe
With all the chopping and changing of players fit / unfit / commitments etc by 4pm on Sunday the fixtures secretary didn't know if he was coming or going. Then the phone rang, 'Hi, it's Les, I won't be able to make it - I still haven't recovered from my injury!' No amount of begging and pleading could turn up a keeper, a late, late call to Paul Howarth proved pointless, he was injured from hockey that afternoon - the writing looked like it was going up on the wall.
There may be eleven players - we'll just have to wait and see. Come kick-off the Dads were still a couple short and there were no volunteers for goal. The writing was definately on the wall, now in big luminous letters - it was going to have to be Mal! As the game kicked off things didn't look too good and then Matt arrived - to watch! Tough, get changed Matt, you're on. The Dads were doing quite well, thank you - quite dangerous at times - then Tony arrived. Had to wash up the tea dishes before he left home. He quickly changed (15 minutes?) and joined the fray. No3 Ace reporter, Jazzy, turned up oblivious of the match build-up and takes up the commentary. With the Dads rotation system in full operation, a lot of first team players being rested - a few young and old faces were on show. There was a lot of shouting in the first half to disguise the fact that the Dads hadn't warmed up (they never warm-up, it takes too much out of them. Ed). But there was some good pressure from the Dads with Dave and Dave combining well. Then, with Jim playing a David Batty (Nora Batty) role in central mid-field, he launched an attack. Dave S crossed to Dave H on the edge of penalty box, keeper makes reflex save with his foot off Dave's low volley. Then Dave S floated a beautiful cross to Andy in box whose scuffed shot was easily saved by the keeper. A long punt up-field and Roke Manor managed a shot, it was going 10 yards wide but Mal 'the Cat' still dived (and missed). Even more pressure resulted in a corner, the cross gave Dave S an overhead shot which went narrowly over, then another scuffed shot by Andy was saved by keeper. In a isolated piece of pantomime, Matt tries to lob Mal but Tony P gets in the way - looks like Matt's heared of the Own-Goal-of-the-Year Award. Towards the end of half Roke Manor hit the cross bar and got a corner but still failed to get a shot on target. A quick clearance by 'the Cat' put the Dads away. A Dads 10 pass move ended in Dave H hitting the bar - brilliant, Barnsley eat your hearts out. It was all Dads, now. DAVE 'Blonde Bombshell' SMITH was put through, rounded the keeper and slots it in - 1 - 0 hurrah! Shots continued to rain in by the Dads. Tony P does 'keep-it-ups' with his head. Looks like exhibition stuff - they're taking the Mick.
HALF TIME
DADS 1 - 0 ROKE MANOR
The team talk was strangely quiet (no Rob / Robbie / John Elms). And the second half got underway with John Frisby trying to start a conversation with this reporter but is ignored (true proffessional - probably trying to influence the choice of man-of-the-match). Mal making firework night noises for some reason like, 'Oooh, Weee, Oooo!!' Game was stretched right out - but some solid defence from 'Iron man' Jim. Dave S was put through again, does some 'dolly' steps to beat keeper but shoots wide. Matt was running around like a man possessed. Roke Manor (in an off-white kit) work a nice move look certain to score but Mark dives in like a Welsh Terrier and clears - quality tackle. Every ball into the Dads box is cleared by a bearded heap (Martin and/or Tony). Against the run of play a 30 yards drive was tipped over by Mal. Dave H was put through on goal and shoots, "(!! YES !!)" before he shoots - and misses. A nice curling cross by Tony was headed just wide by Dave H. Frantic pressure from the Dads now and a save from a shot by Andy. John F gets passed Dave S but misplaced his pass. Matt with a suicidal throw-in to Mal but Mr B bravely headed away. Andy kicks the same bloke up the arse 4 times but he is still able to clear (I think he enjoyed it!). Some comedy goalkeeping from Mal from a back pass - but he survived. Dave S through again but got closed down. Flicks it over to Dave H - John F screaming like a woman, demanding the ball. Back heel from Dave and JOHN FRISBY outside of right foot curls it into bottom corner - great goal. More pressure Jim heads wide. John F in mid-field being closely marked, Shouted 'cuddles - Ooh, cuddles' and the player stangely left him alone. The spectators were commenting about a strange looking Roke Manor player who did not look anything like a footballer when he got on the end of a loose ball. A right wing cross/shot got bundled under Martins legs but Mal managed to deflect it out with a foot only for the Roke left winger finally get away from Matt to tap it in. Martin back-heel to wrong player who shoots but Mal makes reflex block but Mark S catches it (it's not rugby!). Penalty Mal goes the right way but about 10 minuters late. Once again snatched a draw from the jaws of victory!! Just like the Saints!! Bollocks
FULL TIME
DADS 2 - 2 ROKE MANOR
Man of the Match
. Matt mcLaughlan
For being there
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