Sparkshop's end of season round up

It has been a few weeks since the last update and we have managed to squeeze in four games in that time, three in the league and the most recent one in the cup.

Sadly we finished second from bottom in the top division which, with a reorganisation of the league again, means we'll start next week in the middle division which is likely to prove quite a challenge still. However, we were not disgraced in our short stint at the top and the three final games saw us play the top two in consecutive weeks.

The top side beat us 1 - 0 with a goal at the very start of the game. Right from kick off without any of our side touching the ball we let in a goal from a tight angle and that was that. The remainder was a tight affair with us offering little attacking threat but seldom in trouble at the back. The next week was very similar although we lost that one 2 - 0. We had far more going forward this time and were unlucky not to score on several occasions. I hit the bar from distance and new Matt was close twice in addition to other chances.

Truth told, it's the lack of goals that has cost us most but we finished with a flourish in the final game with a three each thriller against the bottom side who took the lead against us each time. New Matt was in good form and slotted home twice including the final equaliser which hit him off a clearance by the keeper and straight in to the empty goal. The other goal was from our third top scorer in the league as an own goal was slotted home leaving o.g. with a single goal, enough to clinch third place.

The cup game was a very different affair which saw us start a goal down due to the handicap system. Nevertheless we won 5 - 1 on the night and should clinch a place in the next stage of the complicated cup. New Matt again scored a couple, a nice shot at the end of a flowing move which took the keeper out of play and a power shot into the corner for the other.

My hat trick came from a lovely cross by new Matt giving me an easy chance to flick the ball on from close range. The second was from a fine through ball by Matt C which I put through the advancing keeper's legs before new Matt turned provider again with a neat headed flick on to leave me free at the back post to tap home high into the unguarded net.

We start again on Monday.

A big well done to the big man at the back who played the last game despite his recent operation, a very personal one which usually requires a lot longer break than the two weeks he took off.