Hat trick hero Matt seals victory

The news season kicked off last week with the revamped league seeing us in the Championship with a regular list of fixtures for the next four months but drawn as always seems to be the case against perennial rivals U Drive.The last few games with them have been settled by one goal either way and they are always closely fought affairs as they defend well and with good organisation.

However, it was a more high scoring game although the result saw the teams spilt by a single goal. The remarkable aspect of the game was that so many of the side were nursing post-folk festival injuries which were actually more accurately defined as hangovers. Kev was not well and struggled with his well earned pint afterwards but manfully played through the game as we saw the big man at the back limp off with a twinge late in the second half.

There were few chances early on but it was Kev who hit a speculative shot who opened up the defence for new Matt to skilfully redirect the ball goalward and saw it nestle snugly in the corner of the goal. On the basis of the previous games that ought to have been the end of the scoring but we were hit by an equaliser before half time which left all to play for as we turned round kicking toward the uphill goal

It was a scrambled second which led to us leading again as the ball was expertly thrown forward by outstanding keeper Rich. The keeper came as new Matt bore down on goal closely pursued by a defender and they hit the ground together in a melee of flailing limbs. Matt it was who thundered his thigh into the keeper's midriff and left him prone as I picked the loose ball up and stumbled forward as the last defender hit out at the ball. From nowhere a long leg flicked out and pushed the ball home leaving new Matt with a second and giving us the lead. Sportingly he suggested the goal should not stand as the keeper was out of the play but showing enormous restraint he accepted the ref's decision to let it stand without demur.

A third came soon after with a neat interchange between myself and new Matt saw his put through again. Once more the hooked right foot finish spanked the ball into the corner and gave us breathing space. More goals looked likely and there could have been a fourth when a lovely one two opened up the defence but the left foot shot rose above the frame of the goal.

With barely seconds remaining there was a consolation second for U Drive but too late and to no avail.

With Dom in dominant form and Pete, Matt and Dougie all showing well with boundless energy, it was a deserved win and one which sees us extend our unbeaten run to at least one game.

Glory days!!!

There was a good turnout for Monday's final game of the season with Sparkshop looking forward to the possibility of promotion in 2nd place or maybe even as champions.


The warm weather seemed to suit our continental approach as we passed and moved slickly in a fast start with close efforts seeing us on the front foot. It seemed only a matter of time till we took the lead but out of the blue we were struck by a counter attack exposing us at the back. A ball beautifully weighted over the top of the big fella at the back left Rich facing a one on one but a controlled finish meant his fingertips were insufficient in keeping the ball out.


One down and suddenly there was a better balance to the play and the next goal going to be crucial.


Kev had hit the post direct from a corner and had another cleared off the line and throw ins were adding to the pressure as we pushed hard to equalise.


It was from a long throw which ran across the face of goal that we finally got our reward and it was long range Phil who stabbed home from close in. From that point on there was to be only one winner.

A corner taken short to Matt C was smashed home like bullet unerringly finding its target in the corner causing the net to billow in submission as he opened his scoring account for the year. The keeper didn't even have a chance to wave the ball on its way as it flew past him, straight and low.

Half time and 2 - 1 up we played uphill in the second half but dominated and could have added several more goals but the ones that came were quality. New Matt played a lovely ball through to me and I struck a left foot volley goalward and inside the post to give us a comfort zone and the prospect of winners' medals.

Dom roared forward in search of his first goal for a period (best left unsaid how long) but it just didn't fall for him. Dougie was manful at the back and gave as good as he got as the game became a little more physical but strangely the decisions seemed to be going against us. Not sure what our mate Gary was up to.

Kev tracked back and forth gluing defence and attack together while Rich was unerring in his distribution setting us forward time and again.

It was 4 - 1 following a free flowing move as the ball was passed forward. An interchange outside the area between myself and new Matt opened up space outside me and I rolled the ball into Phil's path and he hit what can only be described as a Carlos Alberto special, the 4th of Brazil's goals in the 1970 World Cup Final. It was just as important!

The ball skimmed over the surface of the pitch just millimeters off the ground and sped to the far corner like an arrow, a satisfying swish of the net accompanying the roar of the crowd who stood in unison and applauded with vigour recognising godlike genius as Sparkshop bestrode the footballing world like giants of the game. Schoolboys across the world will be able to name the victorious 2009 squad in decades to come whilst old men will tell them of the day they saw the team advance gloriously upwards.

Sadly the top team won 5 - 1 but that did not detract from the pleasure of success. We beat them 4 - 2 in the fixture and on those grounds will surely be seen as the better team.

Well done lads and congratulations to King Kev who has taken the side to the final of the cup and to promotion in just a couple of months. It can't be long until the call of clubs with more financial muscle come a-calling with the lure of enough money for new shirts.