23 October 2004 - League
Heathfield III 3 v Darkside 7
Team: Allan, Andy B, Ben E, Ben M, Craig, Dan, Errol, Jules, Mark H, Phill, Steve C, Tim
Goals: Andy 2, Dan 3, Errol, Tim / Assists: Andy, Ben E, Ben M, Jules, Mark H, Tim 2
MOTM: Ben E / MM: Neil

Fresh from the glorious penalty shootout victory in last week's cup game and after a rigorous midweek training session, the Darkside arrived at Heathfield III brimming with confidence (albeit a little confused why they were there one and a half hours before kick-off) especially considering the amount of goals the opposition had conceded so far in the competition.

The weather again had players dreaming of Australia (one anyway) and with the bumpy ground made conditions difficult. The away team started with the largely experimental 3-5-2 formation with players playing in unfamiliar roles, notably Errol in goal and Big Ben at centre back. The opening exchanges were tight and it seemed Darkside had underestimated their opponents, Heathfield III eventually opening the scoring with some quick interplay that proved Errol could be beaten.

Darkside then settled, and to be fair had the majority of possession, Little Ben terrorised their fullback at every opportunity and was providing excellent service to the strikers, Craig, Tim and Andy also figured prominently in a spell that saw some squandered chances to equalise with Alan, Hunter and Dan going close. The pressure did pay off eventually with an equaliser scored by Dan. The game continued to be tight with Darkside starting to play the ball around nicely, however another goal was conceded and saw the away side trailing again through some sharp passing and dribbling from Heathfield's Asian imports (from Slough).

Heads didn't drop and credit must be attributed to Darkside's belief that they were the better team. At the half time interval Neil made the changes - a new 4-4-2 formation, brought on Jules for Hunter up front, Alan to goalkeeper, Errol to left midfield and Craig to left back. Heathfield had the wind behind them but it was Darkside through Errol who equalised. The more familiar formation proved to be match winning, although Heathfield hadn't quite finished yet. Their third goal came from a corner which was punched clear by Alan only to fall to the back post, it was then volleyed back into to danger area and back heeled into the unguarded net.

Darkside, however were playing the ball around well and at times made it look easy, in fact if there was a crowd the chants of "Ole" would have certainly entertained. Attempts on goal, corners, waves of attacks and then goals mounted and it was Andy's superb goal off the upright that all but sealed it around 20 minutes from time.

A fantastic team performance in an entertaining 10-goal frenzy with many outstanding contributions - 5 MOTM awards is a tribute to the solid showing, and the fact that you can score a hatrick and not figure is further evidence. One issue may also be settled - is this the end of the 3-5-2 formation?

And... quote of the day from an unnamed source "The championship beckons for Darkside." All will be revealed.

Match report by: Craig