Not Southampton, more Birmingham

The theme for this report reflects the contrasting fortunes of 2 favoured sides within Sparkshop's ranks with new Matt seeing the glory of the Midlands in stark relief to the grim spectacle of the Saints supported by Dom and Kev. Sparkshop are on the verge of a Birmingham like promotion after two consecutive wins put us in second place with just one game to go.



The first win came courtesy of a one nil win in hard fought game against the top side in the division but the goal that sealed victory was one that was worthy of winning any number of games as it flew from Phil's boot over a stranded keeper from at least half way. It was a stunning way to open his Sparkshop account by any measure and we expect the same every week now!

This week we played a team that found itself struggling but they failed to even show as they struggled with numbers leaving a second team to play us. Knowing we had the points didn't make any immediate difference as the game was quite cagey to start but after a couple of chances we opened the scoring with a Matt C throughball to me leaving us in a two on one with new Matt pulling off the last defender. He coolly slotted home into the far corner with a tidy finish leaving us one up at half time.

The second half was pure Hollywood football as new Matt and I raced for a loose ball but I managed to toe it in to give us a comfort zone that saw us play really well with lots of passing and moving for a change. The third goal was a stunner with Kev flicking the ball up perfectly for new Matt to crash his shot home on the volley.

We conceded a goal with men pushed up the pitch but from the kick off I played Kev in for tidy finish low into the corner. There was almost immediately a penalty given away when three pint Pete took one of them out after he'd ridden several challenges.

There was still time for a fifth as Kev played a lovely ball across the area for me to slot home.

One more win and we're in a new division, maybe even as winners!

Happy birthday to Phil and, given how late this report is, commiserations to the big fella at the back who saw his striped heroes bow out the Premiership rather limply this afternoon. Matt and I have another club to check on in the Championship now.