Sparkshop update

It's been quite some time since the last report and a lot has happened with the new league meaning we are playing every week now. It is at the stage where we are playing cup matches though and that leaves us handily placed in the league after a nice little run. We're currently standing on 12 points with 4 wins from 6 games and that despite a poor goal difference.

That came from a 9 - 1 drubbing but we've won the three games since with goals coming from new Matt (Spaceship) 5 Iain 4 Pete 2.

Last night it was a chance to gain some respectability from the team that thrashed us 9 - 1 a few weeks ago and who have let in just the one goal in the league. It was therefore with some apprehension we learned of the sad absence of super centre back Dom and Rich the cat who was holidaying in the Lake District. It seemed to be a weakened team therefore but all fears were allayed in the magnificent warm up of football tennis next to a lamppost where we gelled as a cohesive unit ready to improve on that recent hammering by defending with as many as possible whilst relying on Dave C as our goalkeeping stand in to at least match Dougie's performance against the same opposition. That had been a memorable occasion and some of them are good memories. Please email if you can recall them!

We took to the field with 3 pint Pete having had 4 pints and chasers so he was clearly up for the game. The rest of us were nowhere near as prepared and soberly lined up with Dave in goal, a back 3 of Phil, Matt C and Dougie, a midfield duo of Kev and Pete La leaving myself to wander aimlessly upfront as new Matt (Spaceship) started as sub.

It was a wet evening but it turned in to a feisty one as in a cup shock the equal of anything seen this season, Sparkshop took the lead with a well worked goal. Marauding forward the big fella anticipated a through ball and expertly cut it out, taking instant control. He looked up with the eyes of seventies favourite 'eagle eyed action man' and arrowed a pass through to the area. A delicate knock to the side allowed Kev to burst goalward and invited a shot. Begging to be smashed home Kev duly obliged and unerringly found the far corner with a wicked right foot shot which nestled in the corner of the submissive net, the keeper nowhere.

The game became tetchy on their part with countless complaints directed at the ref about decisions which to be honest, were perfectly straightforward and correctly called. All too soon the match became a player light with the mouth of one getting him into hot water with the outstanding official who sent him to the sin bin for four minutes. By the time he was to return, another was gone with a similar comment about cheating seeing him rested.

Despite the advantage we were sitting deep but there were chances to pull further ahead. New Matt had a tousle with a defender as the first half drew to a close and saw a fierce shot beaten away whilst Pete found himself regularly steaming forward leaving a wake of lunging tackles behind him. It was to no avail though as an equaliser did come late on.

With the years of experience behind me in defending I found myself unable to worry too much about chasing back as a right wing overlap developed. I had hoped no one had noticed but captain Kev was not fooled although he barely mentioned it! The cross was thumped home from close range by an onrushing attacker leaving Phil cursing himself quite unnecessarily as the damage had been done earlier in the move.

On the plus side, a very good performance all round with Dave particularly notable in goal. Safe hands and good distribution, despite something of a letdown in the post match photos he was flashing.

New Matt will now be known as Spaceship following his altercation with one of the opposition. It isn't altogether clear what that means but it is likely to stick more than Teletubby did.

Good game lads.