17 September 2005 - League
Claygate Royals 2 v Darkside 4
Team: Alan, Andy, Ant, Ben M, Ben S, Craig, Dan B, Dan S, Ian, Jim, Mark H, Phill, Steve, Tim
Goals: Alan, Craig, Dan S, OG / Assists: Alan x2, Craig, Tim / MOTM: Tim / MM: Alan

The second weekend of the season, like the first, kicked off in Darkside style, with a goal inside a mere thirty seconds, this time complimentary of a fired-up Fletcher. From kick-off, it seems nothing can stop this newly bonding team from scoring. If yet more proof of this was needed, later in the first-half following the Royals’ reply, a smart free-kick from the centre of the park, taken by Kingston, found it’s way off a Claygate head and past their stricken keeper. This, the Darksides’ third, found itself in between two goals, one a splendid header by Swain from a Fletcher corner, the other a sweetly struck Kingston penalty, following a somewhat comical fall (the winner of this weeks Monkey Moment), by Fletcher.

A superb first-half display, which also saw several other chances from the two Darkside wingers and a strong display at the top from Gale, saw Darkside take a 4-1 lead into half time, where rumours of supplemented energy drinks and oranges sufficed, originating from their American fitness guru. Tanna, in his second season at the Darkside helm, held targeted tactic talks in small groups, playing on the strengths of the first half - ‘One of the greatest displays seen in the KDFL division 5 this season’ an old man and his dog were overheard uttering.

The second half had lost much of the fluidity of the first, and chances were fewer and farther between. Claygate found themselves with more of the ball, but were struggling to get through a solid defence of Harris, Bansept, Neill and Wright. Cramp set in for Saunders on the left wing for Darkside about 75 minutes in (Blamed on the boots, clearly not fitness!) and, following possibly the worst miss of the game (Contested only by a 50m high shot – pothole - from Mole), Saunders departed for Tagg.

Soon after, Tanna made changes, reverting to a 4-5-1 formation, with Hunter replacing Gale (a deserved MOTM performance) up front and Cook for Wright, with Tagg dropping into the centre of defence, Neill coming out to left back, Fletcher to left wing and Cook slotting into the centre with Kingston and Swain. An unlucky late Claygate goal was poached in the meantime, but Darkside remained strong until the final whistle, to retain their 100% winning start to the season. A satisfied Tanna revealed ‘They’ll be better next time, but by that time we’ll already have the league wrapped up!’ Bring on the Victoire!

Match report by: Ben S