17 December 2005 - League Cup 1st Round
Darkside 3 - Dynamo Kingston 1
Team: Adrian, Andy, Alan, Ant, Chris, Craig, Dan B, Dan S, Errol, Ian, Mike, Phill, Tim
Goals: Adrian, Mike, Phill / Assists: Dan S, Mike, Tim / MOTM: Andy / MM: -
PICTURE GALLERY

So, it was the old Bicycle light boys again, but this time it was the cup. Last time out had been a close affair with the Dark Siders going behind only to come back after a double substitution to win it by a goal. Tanna new his team would have to be on top form to win this one, and a real derby atmosphere had surrounded the build-up and taken the spot light away from rumours of Tanna and the Pizza delivery boy so preparation was good and the team was buoyed by the prospect of the DSFC Christmas drinkathon awaiting them in the Black Monkey so only one result was going to do.

The DSFC started sprightly, but the play was pretty even, still Darkside looked to have the edge and with memories of the loss to the Dynamo at the end of last season searing through the memories of every Darksider you could see they weren't going to. A few early exchanges kept the ball mainly in the Bicycle boys half, but the goal didn't seem to quite come. With about 10 minutes gone the DSFC won a free kick out on the left wing just outside the Bicycle boys 18 yard box (more like 10 yards on the small pitch at Victoria Rec) and the big lads headed up from the back for the set piece. Gale placed the ball and eyed up his options.............. with the wall in-front obscuring his route to goal he decided the short lay off to Neill being the only choice. Some on the bench initially looked shocked at his rash decision, but Neill skillfully launched or possibly punted the ball to the back post where Boyd rose like a Mackerel only to put it just wide at the far post. It was a sign of things to come and it was one way traffic now.

The ball then went out of play down the left side again the long throw was made and although Neill made a run into the box it was cut out before it got there and went back out again for another throw. Slowly walking nonchalantly away as if back to his defensive position, Neill suddenly turned on a six pence and made an electrifying run into the box. The ball was launched in and knocked on to Mike who rose majestically on the far side of the area and headed the ball down into the path of the arriving Neill, who slotted home on the half volley from about 6 yards out................... first goal for Neill, first blood to DSFC and there was no looking back!!

The DSFC continue to press, a few chances went either way, but DSFC looked in control even though they didn't manage to extend their lead before the interval.

The change of ends and the wonder at Neill getting on the score sheet appeared to inspire the DSFC and they pressed again attack after attack, which bought a number of corner kicks for DSFC. Gale knocked a number of them in, before Boyd rose at the near post and used his superior strength to take the ball, six players and a small dog into the net and over the line for a scrappy, but deserved 2nd. The game would have appeared to be in the bag for DSFC and a place in the next round assured in normal time.

But the Opposition now decided they'd pedal a little harder and suddenly there seemed to be a little light glimmering from the Dynamo. A few pressing attacks from their quick number 10 were starting to get amongst the DSFC rear guard and just when it all seemed it was gonna be clear cut for DSFC, the Bicycle Boys striker attacked down the left tripping past a few defenders. Neill went in once, then twice and then a third time, the Dynamo boy fell like a sack of spuds under Neill's challenge, had someone shot him? did it come from the grassy knoll?..................... no one would ever know as the Referee must have been blind sided and gave a pen. The Bicycle boys fired it home to make the game look alot less convincing............. could DSFC hold on and keep their nerve, enough time was left for it to go either way.

The Dynamo started to flicker for a moment and the pedal pushers tried to keep it alight, but it soon started to fade............. Masuku now looked more up for it then ever and after being released down the left took on the pedal pushers defence stepping past them and accelerating like a terrier on heat, he burst into the box and from a way out tried to place a curled right foot shot past the keeper at the far post only for it to roll inches wide.

It was a sign of things to come and when the break through came there was only going to be one man on the end of it. Masuku was fed a ball from outside the box from Gale and turned to fire home the 3rd and wrap it up for the DSFC, and no more than they deserved.

Its coming home, its coming home, its coming; Teck Cups coming home!.................. wrong competition I know, but hey, bad memories now of the League Cup!

Match report by: Phill