Iscape lose 2 - 1

I wasn't able to play last night but I see that after our cup exit last week, we lost in the league. Any chance of a match report? I've no idea who might be top scorer etc. I'll just put Dougie's name top of the list I think basing the premise of quality rather than quantity.

Rear ended

Joe and Bridie have now returned to or started university with Joe's trip proving a lot less eventful. I was on a course in Torquay last week and decided to combine that with taking Bridie down to Plymouth on Sunday. I was already full of cold with a really bad chest as well when we got to just outside Axminster. A car was waiting to turn right causing the traffic to stop when a car further behind ploughed on and into the car behind us. That hit us and we hit the car in front as well. Couple of things got broken in the boot including a present Bridie had received from friends as part of her leaving celebrations. There was glass all over the place from that but otherwise the windows etc stayed in place.

The front isn't too bad with a smashed number plate and dent to bodywork underneath. The back is not so good and has smashed rear light, several large dents although the boot will close. Rear parking sensors don't work either. The estimate for the work is £1585 which means I'll be driving a Ka for a while apparently.

The whiplash wasn't too bad after a couple of days and nurofen and the car was at least drivable. The car behind us was much worse and the poor couple on holiday from Preston and headed to Cornwall were stranded.

Bridie has settled in really well and has lready been catching up with her aunties I believe. Joe is in halls in a different part of Coventry but thankfully he travelled light this year. It only took a couple of trips back and forth to get his stuff sorted out. At the end of the summer it had taken a dozen or so. We get to keep the goldfish. That goes for both Bridie and Joe who have abandoned their fish.

Rossgarth win

It's been a busy week so lots to catch up on but I wanted to start with Glen's first win on the season. Having drawn last week in a 10 goal thriller down in Dorchester, Rossgarth went in search of a win which would give them much needed confidence after relegation last season.

Glen has been man of the match in the first two games and it looked like the defence would be over worked again as they fell behind with the keeper, hopeless not too strong a word, struggling as so often is the case. However, a free kick from just outside the box was thumped home to leave it at 1 apiece at half time.

The football was much improved in the second period and having been pegged back at 2 - 2 Rossgarth gave themselves breathing space with goals two further goals toward the end of the game. There was still time for a goal to be pegged back from a brilliant free kick but Rossgarth secured their first win of the season 4 - 3.

Another draw

Iscape trundled into action with a changed line up once again and fought out a 1 - 1 draw despite a somewhat lacklustre performance.



Dougie played Mr Safehands in goal and did well, the equaising goal coming in the final couple of minutes being well beyond him as it hit the corner of the goal. Good distribution actually played the major part in setting up our attacking positions.



We had Murph back too and he formed a midfield alliance with Darren in an unfamiliar set up. Dave returned although still hampered by his ankle injury from a couple of weeks back. Kev, Dom and Matt I made up the remainder of the regualrs alongside myself starting in a central defensive role.



The game was pretty scrappy and wouldn't have made good viewing in the first half which ended goalless with very few chances created by either side but the second period saw us exerting a little more pressure. The breakthrough came from a long throw out from Dougie adroitly flicked on up front by myself and into the path of the supporting Murph who coolly slotted the ball beneath the advancing keeper. My feeling was it was a deserved lead and that we would score again on the break but with very little time left, four of us got caught forward as we pressed somewhat naively for another goal. The space left at the back was exploited to maximum effect and a draw ensued, despite a strike on goal from my trusty left foot which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line.

Next week sees Iscape in the quarter finals of the unending cup competition. No one is quite sure how we qualified for that but we can start dreaming of the romance and glory of the cup.

Glen's new football season

Sadly it wasn't the best of starts with a resounding 6 - 0 defeat in the opening game in glorious sunshine on Sunday. Rossgarth were without their best player who has moved to another club and it showed immensely as the defence struggled to cope. In fact they were 3 down after 5 miinutes as shots flew in from outside the area. The goalkeeper decided to have an injured shoulder and went off in tears (that doesn't sound too sympathetic but he is terrible) and it was a relief to see someone else there.

Only one goal was conceded in the second half as the team got to grips with the game and started competing leaving everyone a lot more upbeat than they would otherwise have been.

Glen was made man of the match which was lovely for him and well deserved. He put every effort in and made some telling contributions.

A point earned

Iscape returned to action last night minus Dave but with the addition of Adie in a game where we played in fits and starts only. The evening got off to the worst possible start with the withdrawal of keeper Hen leaving us with just the seven players inlcuding a returning father in the shape of Dougie in goal.

Dougie Dom Matt I Matt C Kev Adie Iain

The first half was a shocking affair in the main with a real lack of edge displayed on the pitch although they didn't create that much. However, a low shot from the edge of the D put them one up as the keeper didn't quite live up to his motto of going down early. The second goal was an entirely different matter with the ball being hoofed forward from the opposition area. Swirling in the night sky, the keeper confidently extended his arms to allow the ball to sail harmlessly wide and high but he was 'confused by the lights' and was helpless as the ball plummeted earthwards at a steep angle and into an unguarded net. It was a mistake anyone could have made - Paul Robinson certainly.

Two nil down and not at the races, Iscape began to battle and deservedly pulled a goal back with a cross from Kev turned in by poacher Matt C. That was the score at half time and the second half was pretty much one way traffic. We didn't create many clear cut chances against a good keeper but we kept them pressed back for long periods. Bizzare officiating held up play a couple of times with good positions lost while the ref complained to players on the sidelines warming up for their game to move away as they were a real danger. The real danger was that we would be thwarted in our pressing for a goal to draw level but it did come from a late penalty. A long throw saw Dom fouled in the area and Kev took responsibility to slam home from the spot.

In the end a draw was a good result.

Kev revealed the win a few weeks back was his first with Iscape for about 9 months! He'd been working in Surrey when we were last winning regularly. A brave admission but a foolhardy one leaving plenty of ammunition for weeks to come.

Matt 1 Kev 1