27 November 2004 - League
Darkside 2 v Green King Athletic 6
Team: Andy C, Andy B, Andy R, Ben E, Ben M, Chet, Craig, Emmon, Jim, Mark, Omer, Phill, Steve, Tim
Goals: Mark, OG / Assists: Andy B, Ben M / MOTM: Ben M / MM: Andy B

On a mild afternoon Darkside took on Green King the current league leaders, who were looking for revenge after Darkside knocked them out of the Teck Junior Cup with a 7-2 hammering, whilst Darkside were looking to end a two match losing streak.

Lining up 4-4-2 against the leagues bad boys, Darkside started well. The midfield four of Andy B, Tim, Craig and Little Ben dominated the center of the park, winning the 50/50s and providing good service for the front two of Hunter and Andy C. And it was Hunter who was first to take advantage of the midfields hard work. Craig hit a cross field pass to the feet of Andy or Ben, not sure as I was to far away, but who ever it was whipped the ball into the box were Hunter headed pass a stranded keeper to score his first of the season.

As the onslaught continued on Green Kings goal Darksides defence, Phill, Emmon, Ben and Steve held strong the only real threat was from throw-ins, where Green King had a player who could throw the ball further than he could kick it. From this source Green King won a corner from which the match was leveled at 1-1.

With about twenty five minutes to go in the half Darkside should have left the pitch 3-1 or 4-1 up but trudged off at 2-2. Big Bens miss timed jumped allowed Green King to take a 2-1 lead and man of the match Little Bens darting run and cross was turned in by Green King for an own goal to make it 2-2, it could but have been someone else the distance thing again. All this after Andy C was brought down in the box following a powerful run. The keeper saved Andy Bs penalty kick, his first failure from the spot in a league match for many a season. Andy C was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet with a series of chances and half chances falling his way. But at 2-2 Darkside where still in the games, but so where Green King.

The start of the second half saw no change in personal only the score as Green King took charge of the game with 2 early goals from quick breaks by their midfield. Neil then made changes with Jim, Chet and Andy R coming on but an unfortunate slip by Steve, I think, and a harsh free kick decision on the edge of the the box against Big Ben lead to 6-2. Darkside still had several good opportunities to narrow the gap but it was not be their day as they recored their third straight league defeat.

This defeat leaves Manager Neil Tanner posing such questions as, Is it time to panic? Will Darkside slip to a fourth consecutive league defeat? Will Andy B and Big Ben shout at each other again? These questions will surely be answered on Saturday as Darkside take on New Malden All Stars.

Match report by: Ben E