SPRINGHILL DADS v SHEPHERD & HEDGERS
By Scoop

Friday 9th July 2000

  . After the Dads successful tour a game against friends of Maples Sport - Shepherd & Hedgers. The Dads have a good team out so anything is possible.

 . Many congratulations to Maples manager, Mick Crocker and his wife, Margaret on achieving their 25th wedding anniversary.  As celebrated by the Daily Echo - they were also treated to a cruise by Mick's work colleagues

SPRINGHILL DADS
Les Maros
Tim Hart - Brian Medway - Tony Pascoe - Robbie Thorpe
Jason Furness - Jim Allen - Dave Hedges - John Willis
Martin Kingsbury - Dave Smith - Jon Elms

 . Early on Brian was called on to make a last ditch stop to prevent the Dads going behind early on!
 . Jon lining up and missed - Dave S won the ball back and passed to Jason who cracked one off, just wide.
 . S&H corner fired over for the second time and was converted with a free header. 0 - 1.
 . Dave S took a knock but managed to get the ball to Dave H who crossed for Jon to see his header comfortably saved.
 . A loose ball which Martin snaffled up and released Dave S who cracked one off just over top corner.
 . Robbie intercepted a pass and passed to Jon on the wing, he crossed but the ball was cut out.
 . A ball was played into the box with Brian sniffing - kick the ball out of the keepers hands - pheep! Free kick?
 . Jason set up Martin to crack one off from 30 yards and was disappointed to see his missile crash against the cross bar.
 . Dads caught out and in disarray saw some football ping-pong and a half clearance before a shot flew over the bar.
 . Some stout defending by Tony and Brian keeping their big forward off the ball and finally clearing up!
 . A break by Dave S inside to Jim who crossed to Jon who turned and shot but wasn't able to connect properly. The keeper gratefully gathered the loose ball.
 . Little Ralph, S&H left back was playing out of his skin and the Dads were getting shut out down that flank.
 . John left inside to Jon and Martin battled away in the corner to win the ball and the ball flashed across the face.
S&H were forced to concede a corner under some pressure from Jon. Robbie fired in the corner, it was cleared but Robbie jumped on the loose ball. The ball was taken up by Dave H who dummied / crossed for JOHN WILLIS to side foot into the net at the far post. 1 - 1.
 . Dads started to get a bit sloppy and their winger skinned Robbie to fire over a deep cross but was headed wide. Then Jon was unlucky to see a long distance shot just drift agonizingly wide.

HALF TIME
DADS 1 - 1 S&H

 . Dads were putting lots of pressure on S&H but weren't making any real clear chances.
 . Then a ball was put through for a runner to volley into the net wide of Les - a good goal. 1 - 2.
 . Play broke down and Jason picked up the loose ball and passed for Dave S to run and shoot but his effort didn't trouble the keeper.
 . A smart throw in to a runner but Les was quickly off his line to force an early shot which flashed wide.
 . A fluid move through mid field saw Robbie float a ball over the top of defence for DAVE SMITH to run through and lift the ball over the advancing keeper, the ball finished up nestling in the back of the net. 2 - 2
 . Tony made a great covering tackle but went over on his ankle . . . Oh, painful. He had to go off for a rest for a few minutes to recover but it was too painful and had to come off. Jon went back into defence and S&H player helped out up front.
 . S&H, a much younger side, were starting to get it together - they had a bit more stamina than our lads. A couple of their players were starting to put it together now and their Beckam look-a-like crossed into the box but Tim was there to head clear.
 . It was all S&H now with S&H breaking in numbers. A corner blocked. Another corner blocked and saved. Les clawed away another corner with Stam lurking at the far post. But for the stout defending and finally a break and Dave S was away but S&H conceded a throw-in.  .  . John threw in for Martin to return it back for John to shoot . . . into the side netting. A Jason shot hit the bar, John shot hit the bar, Jason cross to the far post John flick on - wide.
 . Brian cleared with Les and Martin bringing down Beckam - and S&H screaming 'Pen'(?) - but everyone played on and Jason managed to block a rocket with his backside.
 . Jason cracked one off looping into the box Dave H and John going for goal but the ball was cleared away. Then with the Abbey bells chiming, Stam went down with an injury but the game continued - both teams looking for the winner. A through ball over the top for Dave H to chase and shoot over.
 . As always, in the dying light a Fred Carno defensive mix up and S&H's one legged left back tapped in the winner.
FULL TIME
DADS 2 - 3 S&H

Man of the Match

 . . Jason Furness