Romance of the cup

And about time too!

After numerous requests I am back to posting after a month's break which is a long time considering how little teaching I'm doing these days. However, in my defence I have actually been helping start a new school and it has been busy at times, even for me!

In my absence Sparkshop have gone from strength to strength and now have Spanish Dave seeking readmittance to the fold. There was a cup game against top league opposition to start with and incredibly we won 3 - 0. A great clean sheet but even more impressively there were debut goals for Mike with 2, both created superbly by new Matt, who was also the other goalscorer, an impressive performance by the young stallion.

The following week was back to league duty but a very different game ensued. It was dire to watch in the first half and we were deservedly a goal behind at the break. Somehow a goal came from new Matt to pull us level and from there on in it looked like there could only be one winner. That came as Kev stumbled a goal home from close range but it was another win.

This week we were back in cup action, again facing a team from the top division and doing well. We started, on the handicap system, 2 goals ahead and I was keen to make my return to action after so many games out. There was no question they were a quality side but there was a real sense of team spirit as Kev decided not to shout at anyone too much for a change and we hung on in there.

Rich was outstanding in goal although he got away with what looked a clear penalty as Gary favoured us once again. His arms made clear contact with the forward but we played to the whistle and found ourselves keeping the opposition to long range efforts. As ever Matt and Dom were sterling at the back and Mike, Kev and Pete supported throughout. New Matt and myself ranged about up front with little service in the first half but increasing space late on.

Is it true we are fitter than other teams? We seem to be better late in a game. A bit like Ali's rope-a-dope in Zaire when he let Foreman wear himself out before delivering the knock out punch late on.

Three pint Pete was outstanding in running and tackling but unluckily opened the scoring for them as he chested the ball home. That sounds poor but it was more the ball cannoned off him and into the empty net as Rich recovered from the initial save which had seen him sprawling on the floor.

Pete redeemed himself with a classic goal late on which snatched a draw on the night and victory by 3 - 1 on the handicap system. A lovely ball lifted over two defenders left him back to goal and plenty to do. Turning in an instant he swivelled and unleashed a shot with the ferocity of the hounds of hell. It was immediately blocked though but spun toward goal. Keeper committed, the goal was clear but the ball was postward bound until the spin took it back on track and it trickled in the goal. Not a classic but no more fortunate than their opener which means Sparkshop are near the top of the cup league, if that makes sense.