Match Reports
25/02/06
Penguins 2s 6-0 Men's 4th XI
De-railed at Durrington
With a stronger side than the previous week, although still missing the posh barrister bloke and the grumpy school teacher, the Super 4s express pulled into Durrington with 3pts fully on everyones mind. Even the late withdrawl of the Super 4s answer to Begbie, Andy “Street Fighting Man” C didn’t seem to spoil peoples expectations.
Everything seemed to be going Ok, with a full complement of players and and good warm up, with even the weather turning warmer. All was set for a Super 4s special result…… yes special ….. hmmm ……
As often this season, the Super 4s decided to give the opposition the customary two goal start to make a match of it …. even more cocky than normal the Super 4s decided to get this done within the first 5 minutes, the first coming barely a minute into the match. Skipper Thompo was instrumental in the 2nd with a quality airy fairy reverse stick stop at the top of the ‘D’ just taking enough pace off the ball for the young Worthing forward to wallop it past a dispairing Hehir.
Although Penguins were obviously cock and hoop with this sudden lead, the Super 4s smugly smiled at the oppo, with the “remember last time boys” look…. you were 3-1 up against 10 men and you still lost …. and once Brighton managed to stop the rout and get to half time with no more goals conceeded, the Super 4s were positive that it could be turned around and at the same time Penguins looked distinctly nervous. Even the loss of “Nash Bridges” Mullen, with a throat injury, which had caused Thompo to revert back to defence from his brief foray into attack, didn’t dampen the spirits.
Brighton started the 2nd half brightly and gained several short corners to put pressure on the Penguins defence. Alas none were converted by the makeshift team, and to make matters worse when Pilsbury was tripped in the ‘D’ (surely no one had removed that banana skin from last season ! - Ed.), the Brighton umpire chose to award a corner rather than a flick, even the Penguins umpire spotted it ! Oh well, such is sod’s law. Penguins went up the other soon after and killed the game. Even though Brighton had chances to get back into it and Penguins still looked nervy, goals 4 and 5 in close succession took the points with the final score ending 6-0.
The whole team agreed that they had been second best and hadn’t worked hard enough, the exception being the 2 youngsters Laurie and Sam, who performed admirably. Well it was one of those days where the scoreline flattered, but Penguins were worthy winners and later on the news came in the Newhaven had won to knock Brighton off top spot for the first time since November to take top spot by a point. However rumours soon spread round the club that this was a cunning Super 4s plan to take the pressure off and pile it on Newhaven who still have to go away to Hailsham and Penguins. Can this be true ??? Certainly the way Brighton gifted Penguins goal upon goal and the fact that Thompo is the master tactitician may lend some credence to this (What a lot of rot ! - Ed.)
Awards :
Teapot - The whole team for a “thanks for coming you were proper rubbish” performance.
Handbag - For squealing at Thompo and an oppo forward
Homer - All those whose pathetic reverse stick stops gifted Penguins goals on a plate (Thompo, Doc ……. )