Sparkshop update

It was a somewhat depleted side which took to the field of dreams last night with Dave injured in a cricketing accident the day before leading to his having to wear a splint and give the goalkeeping a break for a while.

Rich - in goal
Dom and Doug - defence
Matt, 3 pint Pete and multiple pints Phil - midfield
Craig and Iain - attack

It was a tough game again against a decent side who passed the ball well up front but were a little open at the back. It is fair to say 3 of their goals came somewhat fortuitously but they could have scored others which meant 5 - 2 was a fair reflection. There were some moments of good passing amidst sterling defensive work but we were behind early with a low shot carrying enough pace to hit the net despite a strong hand from Rich. Unfortunately Matt got on the score sheet at the wrong end when he deflected the ball in from a cross which simply hit him.

The other goals seemed to deflect about in front of goal and seemed to support the opposition's early assertion that they could wear us down by passing the ball about. However, we finished quite strongly and pulled a goal back through Craig's first goal for us, a superb shot which dipped late to lob the keeper and go in via the underside of the bar. The second was a simple goal from a long throw by Rich and controlled by me in the area with plenty of time to contemplate trying to get it on my right foot. However, the shape was all wrong for that and it was the left foot swinger that incredibly didn't just fly wide or over.

The sausage and chips provided some compensation but there is work to do if we are to avoid relegation from the top flight once again. It is fair to say life in the championship is probably where we are better placed.


http://www.stinkyriver.co.uk/

Here's the link to new Matt's blog of his travels around Europe. It continues to be a great read.