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.