15 October 2005 - Surrey Junior Cup 2nd round
Darkside 4 - Cheam Baptist Church 2
Team: Adrian, Alan, Ant, Ben E, Ben M, Ben S, Chris K, Dan B, Dan S, Ian, Mike, Phill, Tim
Goals: Mike, Alan x3 / Assists: Adrian, Ben S x2, Ben M / MOTM: Alan / MM: Alan

The Boss’s full-time grin said it all.

He looked like a Cheshire cat in a cream factory. 4-5-1 was the option and though many doubted it, it was enough to see off a spirited Cheam Baptist Church. It bench-marked a record 4th win from 5 for the Darksiders, who seem to be going from strength to strength this season.

The result lifted pressure from the shoulders of Tanna who has been under fierce criticism after dropping key player Alan Fletcher for their previous outing. Fletcher again shone and speculation of him leaving for pastures green can only be raised after notching up an impressive hat-trick.

The game started at a fierce pace with both teams going close early on with debutant Chris Kidwell featuring well in the early stages in the holding midfield role, but it wasn't until 30 mins when Littlest Ben broke, Adrian spun and found Mike who cracked the ball onto the underside of the bar and subsequently over the line. It wasn't long after, the Cheam keeper was picking the ball out of the net for the second time. Mike became the provider whipping in a cross for littlest Ben, who nodded it back to Fletcher who was there to drive home past a helpless keeper.

Just before half-time the Darksiders were shaken and went in 2-1 up.

Half-time saw an awkward confrontation between Club manager Tanna and Secretary Phill Neill, which was quickly swept under the carpet before the start of the second half. The second half started with Cheam attacking straight from the off which lead to an early equaliser. At 2-2 the Darksiders upped the tempo, with Swain and Gale featuring heavily in the centre of midfield.

It wasn't until 25 minutes to go Darkside found their breakthrough for the second half. It took a fluke shot from a corner kick (apparenty won by Saunders - Littlest Ben) from hero Fletcher to put the Darksiders back in the lead.

Soon after saw the introduction of Anthony for Littlest Ben, which gave Ian the chance to push into a right midfield position for the last half hour of the match. It also saw a return for Ben Mole who has recently recovering from a chest infection. He replaced the spectacular Kidwell in the middle of the park.

As legs tired heading towards another great performance from Darkside, it was left to Fletcher to finish the Church Goers off. It was a tremendous through ball from substitute Mole ,which left Fletcher one on one with the keeper; He cooling chipped the ball into an empty net to mark a tremendous hat-trick and his 8th strike of the season to celebrate, a very worthy Man of the Match Performance. Fletcher saw it fitting to treat the crowd to a view of him throwing up half of the night before's Chicken kebab, this a worthy winner, also, of Monkey Moment this week.

As the game drew to an end it was centre back Boyd who was clear from the back to play a one two with Mike, but was subsequently flagged off-side. After a fine display between the sticks by Big Ben Exley, with a string of top flight saves, the Darkside rightly walked away worthy winners.

The end of the game was marred with shocking news that Fletcher may be out for the next 2 weeks after clashing his foot against the opponent's blades. It subsequently led to Fletcher being rushed to hospital where fears of amputation (sadly not realised) were cleared after nurse Christie cleaned and put a plaster over the 2 inch wound. It wasn’t the only 2-incher she saw from Fletcher that night!! ;)

The 3 hour wait at the hospital was disappointing for Fletcher as he had arranged a nice evening with his girlfriend, "It's tough knowing I'm gonna miss training on Tuesday but I hope to start next Saturday", Fletcher's moving statement really summing up the commitment from the Darkside and their early performances this season.

Match report by: Alan