Match Reports
03/04/09
Penguins 2s 2-4 Men's 4th XI
One game to go, one more hurdle to clear, one more bullet to dodge (obviously in a slo-mo matrix style, not because we're so quick you couldn't see it but because for us slo-mo is flat out), one final banana skin to step away from. With this game dealt with an historic unbeaten league campaign would have been achieved (something even the amazing 2s couldn't quite manage). If we won by 6 goals we would also end the season with a plus 100 goal difference, amazing!
Having played Penguin 2s a short while ago and found them worthy opponents we knew they would fancy their chances of upsetting the party (not that there was a party). I was also missing a raft of regulars again with Ready still on the run stateside and Smithy off to the zoo with his lady friend (haircut then girlfriend and lesson for all long haired men, get it cut!) and JC and Bondy on in-laws duty I turned to some legends of the club to help us out. The ever exuberant Footspa joined the fray and provided some defensive experience and Dermot arrived to give us some' well' insanity, obviously what else?
The first half was a decidedly scrappy affair with clear chances missing for both sides. However, it was Penguins who drew first blood. Perhaps the pressure was getting to the players after my emotional team talk before the match. Well, it would have been emotional were in not for having a team of semi-professional 'comedians' all hell bent on getting a laugh from the rest of the lads' it's lucky I'm easy going, that's all I can say!
As has often been the way though going behind focussed our minds and we began to maintain some pressure but with chances still at a premium it took a moment of magic to score. Tosh fired in a pass into the D on to the well timed run of Davros who made the deftest of touches to angle the ball passed the wrong footed 'keeper for a magical equaliser. Oh, and stat fans, Davros informs me that this means he has scored against every other team in our league'..*yawn*.
Half time came and the chance to re-group. In between laughter, Footspa reminded us that we were all rubbish and good. A confusing but effective message which seemed to work. Now I see where my team talks have been going wrong for the past two seasons.
Soon after the restart a short corner was awarded and the ball found its way to Will Selby, so often given some stick for missing chances, but not on this occasion as he rifled in a superb shot to give us the lead.
Penguins continued to press but could only do so on the break and with Footspa marshalling the boys well Perry (marking a man four times his height out of the game) and Wrighty and The Power dealing with any threats on the wing. Special captains mention again for The Power who was winning everything that came his way. Could have done with him all season. We might have made the 100 goal difference with him there, oooops, sorry didn't mean to spoil the ending for anyone that hadn't read the score.
With the game increasingly under our control another short corner was awarded and as the slip right broke down, as usual, the ball dribbled to Dermot (a man who hasn't scored since puberty) who was able to push a reverse scoop into the right hand corner of the goal. His celebration was somewhat muted, sadly, with only small jump in the air greeting his great achievement. Footspa was suitably happy though, and it showed.
Never ones to make it easy Penguins got a goal back when a rather scuffed cross found the otherwise faultless Perry's stick which deflected it past me into the goal. Just as things were about to get a little awkward Dan Benson was able to finish the scoring and give us a deserved 4-2 victory.
Thanks to Alan for umpiring for us.
With the clubhouse shut it was a pitch-side vote for MOM and DOD with Perry winning MOM (despite my vote for The Power) and The Dobinater winning the leaping salmon of dexterity award again and then breaking the terrible news that he had lost it! Unbelievable!
And so the great achievement was'.achieved! 22 games, 20 wins and 2 silly draws!
Emotionally (for me only) it was also my last game as skipper for the 4s and so I step down with last season's wrong well and truly righted. Some would say that they would expect nothing less from a Brighton 4s team than to dominate this league but there is one thing expecting it and another delivering it.
Thanks to Ready for his help all season and in particular a couple slippery away games that I couldn't make.
Well done to everyone, an extended thanks and summary of the season will appear in the end of season review.
Team: Andy, Perry, Footspa, The Power, Wrighty (on the left), Paige, Simpo, The Dobinator, Dermot, Tosh, Benson, Selby, Davros
Scorers:
Davros
Selby
Dermot
Benson