18 September 2004 - Friendly
MMB Res 2 v Darkside 3
Team: Andrew, Ben E, Ben M, Chet, Chris, Dan, Emmon, Errol, Mark, Phill, James, Steve S, Tim
Goals: Dan 2, Ben M 1 / Assists: Ben M 1, Tim 1 / MOTM: Dan / MM: SteveS

With so many first team regulars out, five players would get their Darkside debuts today. The pre-match dressing room perhaps lacked the usual banter but the boys were certainly focused on getting Darkside's first win of the season.

Having been made to wait in the rain for the referee and today's opposition - the Milk Marketing Board - the Darkside kicked off and certainly had the best of the play in the opening 15 minutes. Yet to really find their rhythm, Darkside were however, playing positive attacking football. Runs were being made and space was being created but the closest they came to threatening the semi-skimmed goalkeeper was a few scuffed shots wide.

The milky bar kids went 1 - 0 up against the run of play. On virtually their first foray forward a cross shot into the middle from the left wing caught the debutant goalkeeper Steve S off his line and unawares. The ball sailed into the net with Steve S helplessly stranded. A frustratingly soft goal, but heads did not drop and although the dairylea lovers went in at half time a goal up, there was definitely a sense that they were there for the taking.

Neil rang the changes at half time. He brought on Andrew for the hard working Chet at half time and Ben M for James - who had been getting a lot of joy down the left wing and was giving their right back plenty to think about. Errol moved over to the left and Ben M played down the right.

The manager demanded an early goal and an early goal he got. Dan cut in to the penalty area from the right and unleashed a venomous left footed strike that arrowed into the top corner. OK, he scuffed it and looped slowly into the top corner, but that's mere detail.

Finally with some reward under their belt for their industry Darkside started to play some of the football that they had showed fleeting glimpses of in the first half. Incisive one and two touch passes were cutting the dairy maids to shreds and in just about every department Darkside were on top. Emmon, and Phill in particular were playing a blinder in defence. Ben E and Tim, both of whom along with Phill were contenders for man of the match, were dictating the middle of the park with an array of strong runs, sharp passing and stern tackling. Tim did a fine job protecting the back four and Ben E gave the milky milky boys no end of grief with his endless surges forward. On the flanks, both Errol and Ben M - on for his debut - were making a lot of room and causing their full backs all sorts of problems.

Ben M put Darkside up 2 - 1 up directly from the corner flag and from their position of authority on the game - there was no looking back. Dan and Mark were a constant threat up front and Dan gave Darkside an unassailable 3 - 1 lead with about 10 minutes to go. It could've and should've been more with Errol, Mark and Dan creating but squandering chances.

The cheesy boys never gave in and twice Errol cleared off the line. They got a consolation goal following some poor marking from a cross but they never threatened a third.

Final word came from man of the match Dan, who had a top corner curler tipped over the bar by the keeper. And so the season starts here. Strong at the back and menacing up front.

And still many first team squad members to return. The future's bright. The future's Darkside.

Match report by: Errol