Champions!!!!

This wass the one we'd been waiting for. It was a massive night in the history of Sparkshop last night amidst the dying embers of the setting sun; the blood red skies a portent of glory or savage humiliation with just one team standing between us and the glory of a division winning victory. Our destiny was in our hands as we took to the pitch with a full strength squad, a destiny which had turned on one penalty which gave us a shock win over the league leaders just a few short weeks ago. Three points would mean no one could catch us and it was with fire in our bellies and strong mental fortitude that we warmed up with our usual vigour.

Rich in goal
Don and Doug at the back
Matt C, Kev, Phil and Pete in the middle
new Matt and myself up front

and Dave C, our back up keeper fresh from his clean sheet, in the crowd and time keeping to ensure the subs got a fair crack of the whip.

A nervy start saw the opening stages played in cagey fashion but before long, glory fell to new Matt who burst onto a long throw out from Rich which was misjudged by the youthful defenders. Smashing the ball home new Matt quickly doubled the lead with a smart finish after I'd nutmegged a defender and squared the ball. It already looked a question of how many goals would come.

Another throw out was mishandled by the keeper leaving me with the simple task on tapping home into the empty net and we turned round 3 up and on our way to victory.

Rich was in fine form with his distribution in an otherwise quiet night as Doug and Dom shut up shop in their inimitable manner. No one was going to pass them by tonight and each looked like a colossus as they stood manfully daring the opposition to have a go.

In the middle, Kev barked out his orders like the general he has become and saw Matt C and his extendable legs stretch out to nick possession time and again. Phil and Pete were like marauding pirates intent on laying waste any attacks we suffered whilst setting up chance after chance with pinpoint passing and adept use of the ball.

Up front, new Matt launched like some cosmic spaceship, propelled himself up and down and side to side with boundless energy, the epitome of an old fashioned centre forward. It was a privilege for all who saw the game to witness the carnage we created in the opposing defence and more goals followed in a one sided second half. Key struck home from close range as Pete's short corner left him free at the front post. The keeper almost audibly sighed in reluctant admiration of the neat finish which saw the net bulge with welcoming arms.

Matt C smacked the ball with the instinct of a seasoned pro to leave the keeper stranded agog at the audacity of such a clinical left footed finish. More goals came with a perfect cross delivered by Phil for me to head home and another cross field ball from Pete left me with time and space to control, size up the situation and hit home at the near post.

A final goal came courtesy of another keeping error as a long throw from Kev slipped through the shell-shocked keeper's hands and in, to leave us 8 - 0 winners and champions of the league. A magnificent achievement for a bunch of old timers with willing minds and ageing limbs.

Well done to all who contributed and supported. A well deserved triumph that surely indicates the best is yet to come.

Almost heroes

Sparkshop's fine cup tradition, and it isn't too strong a phrase to use after our recent exploits, saw another glorious but ultimately unsuccessful chapter written this evening. Our first Weds game saw Richie out and Pete as well - Pete watched from the sidelines after his wounds in action on Monday - but in came Dave in goal and Phil in the middle where we likely to need strength as it was a top division side we were up against.

Given we were playing a better team, the handicap system gave us a goal start and it was no surprise to find we played deep for almost the entire match. To be honest, it felt like the longest game we've ever played at Wimborne and Gary had something of an off night in respect of decisions going for us. However, Dave was inspired in goal and pulled off a number of high class saves in as close an impersonation of Richie's great game on Monday as you could get. There were 2 saves on to the post and bar which kept us ahead before, with our one and only shot of the night, we took a shock lead as the ball broke for new Matt to continue his rich vein of form in front of goal. He stormed forward and slammed the ball to the keeper's left with the coolness borne of confidence. This meant we turned round 2 - 0 up in effect.

In fairness they were a very good side with all of them comfortable on the ball and, we heard later, playing at a high level. Despite that we held them at bay for most of the second half and it looked increasingly less likely that they'd score. I lost count of the number of blocks made by Matt C, Dougie and Dom with Kev and Phil fighting alongside them with a succession of lunging tackles and desperate clearances.

It was unfortunate that with just minutes remaining 2 goals were scored in rapid succession and neither of them reflected the quality of football they'd played. They were slightly fortunate goals much as they might have been deserved.

The final whistle saw us standing at 2 apiece and confusion reigned as Gary clearly forgot it was a cup quarter final. That meant we should have been moving to penalties and eventually they got underway with memories of our loss last year still fresh in the mind. We'd lost the final on pens last time but this time we started with a perfect three. Kev, new Matt and myself all hit home but sadly Dave was unable to keep any of theirs out despite outstanding efforts. Up stepped Dom and he smashed the ball high into the net with something close to aplomb. It was sudden death by this stage and a save by Dave would see us through. Again his dive was one of despair as the ball flew in. It was Phil next and he experienced the heartache of seeing his shot saved and walking back disconsolately. As Matt C pointed out, at least it wasn't the final!

The final kick of the game was when the winning penalty followed and we were out on penalties once again. Questions about the lack of preparation for this eventuality will possibly be asked, as I have no recollection of us taking practice penalties at any stage. In a competition as big as this that may be something we have to address in the future. A club as full of tradition as ours, and with the weight of history borne on the current crop of players' shoulders, needs to be preparing in this area as well as we do in every other aspect of the game. There's no point us watching our weight, eating healthily, pounding the tarmac in all weathers to maintain the peak of fitness we have honed over time and endlessly discussing tactics and formations if we can't get this right. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Wise words.

Tongue firmly in cheek. By the way, what word can be placed in front of the following three words to create three new words?

her
homed
ten

Good luck.

Hero

It was a close game on a unfamiliarly dry evening in Wimborne as Sparkshop lined up against the top placed side in the league. There was confusion from the start with both Matt C and myself trying to start off as sub but there may as well have been 8 subs as the first attack of the game saw us fall behind to a strong run and clinical finish which augured badly for the rest of the game. However, there were heroes all over the pitch with a solid defensive display from Doug and Dom supporting Richie who was absolutely inspired, tipping the ball onto post and bar with fantastic saves throughout the match.

There was Kev as well with two goals which ultimately brought us victory. The first came in the second half from an intelligent throw from the big fella which caught the opposition completely unaware. Kev was able to shoot and got a little lucky with a deflection which took it into the goal. From one of the few constructive moves of the game, Matt was put through on goal but facing away from goal. In turning he was brought crashing down and it was a clear penalty. Kev stepped up and smashed home with aplomb.

The turnaround was in spite of the early loss of 4 can Pete who took one for the team in challenging for a header in midfield. Winning the ball he was caught on the eyebrow by an opposing head and had to miss the rest of the game with a blood soaked shirt in the company of an allegedly lovely lady who tenderly saw to his desperate need. He's probably still in the pub right now showing off the wound - but he says he'll be available for the big cup game on Weds as Sparkshop line up in the quarter finals.

Monday night football - play hard or go home.

Easter sunshine

The weather on Saturday was warm enough to encourage us to the beach and Maria and I built some lovely sandcastles despite a cooling breeze which made paddling painful. The improved weather has seen lots of opportunities to walk the dogs in some lovely settings and the pictures show some of the sand martins at Blashford lakes in the newly constructed nest sties which are metre long tunnels filled with sand. In addition there is a little ringed plover nesting just feet away from one of the hides.

The final photo shows a roe deer in the bluebell woods just sat as we past it and the dogs remained oblivious to it despite it being only about 10 yards away.

Chicken Pox

Oh dear - Maria had a bit of a rash the other night which we put down to a little eczema but last night there was a definite rash which initially caused some panic but the doctor was able to reassure us on the phone before seeing her this morning. He said she presented classic chicken pox symptoms and told us we have to keep her away from vulnerable groups etc. Poor Maria but at least she doesn't seem to be itching.

Kingston Lacey

It was a beautiful day today and one on which we spent a good deal of time with family remembering Natasha who would have been 21 today. It was touching to read the comments of her cousin reflecting on the fact we'd usually have been celebrating together with a party but instead have flowers arriving to lay at her grave.

It is also Robin's birthday and we decided to enjoy the weather with a visit to Kingston Lacey and a birthday tea. Maria loved running around but stayed still long enough for a butterfly to land on her head!

Moors Valley train ride

Despite patchy sunshine, there was a cold wind which made for an uncomfortable picnic at Moors Valley yesterday. However, it was a lovely trip out as we walked from Potterne seeing signs of spring everywhere and feeling warm when the sun actually peeped from behind the cloud. Maria had a play in the park and then got to ride the train with Bridie who loves going on it more than anyone.

Easter 2010

More Easter photos

It's been a frenetic start to the Easter Break but all the btter for it. We had a surprise visit from our University friend, Chris and his family, over from America for a family get together in Bournemouth. It's been a few years since last seeing them and they were surprised to see we had an extra member to the family with Maria.

She was delighted to see her two youngest cousins from Plymouth as we had a party to celebrate the completion of the building work. We managed to stay out in the conservatory all evening with the wood stove burning fuel fiercely all the while.

The next morning it was time for an Easter egg hunt and Bridie's Easter bunny cake.