04 March 2006 - League
Darkside 4 v AFC Kingston 1
Team: Adrian, Alan, Andy, Ant, Ben M, Ben S, Craig, Dan B, Dan S, Ian, Mike, Steve, Tim
Goals: Ben M x2, Steve, Ant / Assists: Alan x2, Mike, Craig / MOTM: Ben M / MM: Alan

After the disappointment of the postponed cup game the previous week, due to a freak snow storm in South Wales, ensuring the council cancelled all games in and around the Kingston district, the lads of Darkside FC were chomping at the bit for this - yet another "must win" game...the tension and atmosphere in the Darkside changing room was electric, with all the lads going through their normal pre-match routines, Fletcher munching on a packet of monster munch, French Dan running to charring cross and back, Tim wearing more layers than a lasange and Minty covering his entire body in deep heat....

With the ever inspirational team talk from Coach Tanna ringing in our ears "who still owes me £20 for the training fees?" the game kicked off with early pressure from the AFC team wearing their rip off arsenal gold shirts, long balls and long throws seemed to be their main tactic, but French Dan, fresh from his 15mile run, and big Addie at the heart of the Darkside defence always had the measure of what was thrown at them.

Good possession and some neat passing through the midfield with Aussie Craig and Tim, lead to some early chances, but the breakthrough came when Flecther latched onto a decent ball from the midfield and drilled in an inswinger that the sorely missed little Ben nodded into the top left corner. 1-0.

Good build up from the back and some creative work on the right from Bert and Minty forced a throw in, in line with the AFC penalty box. Minty lobbed a long throw towards Fletcher who, with a deft flick of his much admired silver boots, found little Ben once again who took a touch and slotted the ball past the AFC keeper into the bottom right corner. 2-0.

Darkside continued to enjoy some very healthy possession and the third goal came just on the half hour when Aussie Craig (for once not dreaming about pulling pints in the west end) picked up the ball and ran at the AFC defence, cut inside and swung a decent ball in towards Minty, who by his shear presence, forced the left back into an error, leaving Minty himself to drill the ball home from a staggering 3 yards!!! 3-0.

Darkside were now bossing the game, with both Big Dan and Tim coming close to getting on the scoresheet along with MINTY and Little Ben....

A small crowd had started to gathered at the infamous Victoria park (OK, the park keeper and the bird who runs the snack bar!!), with the general subject being discussed amongst them "is this the best Darkside have ever played?" Many agreed that "yes" this indeed was a remarkable performance, but the best? we will have to see!

At the break a well chuffed Darkside came off to yet more words of wisdom from Coach Tanna, "KFC or sausage & chips for tea lads?" The second half kicked off and once again Darkside were under early pressure, however this time Darkside had lost some of their swagger and composure from the first half (is it because the young Littlest Ben had departed at right back??) and the game became unstructured and scrappy, a few chances for AFC went begging, one most notably when Big Addie had to stick out his gadget legs and produce a goal saving tackle (not for the first time this season). However, AFC did manage to get through; a lucky flick and a 25yard screamer had Andy beaten for the first time in the game. Coach Tanna responded by Bringing on Gooner Mike for little Ben (who got a standing ovation,well I'm sure Phill would of stood up if he could of!) to partner big Dan up front. Both had a number of chances to kill the game off, but only some heroic defending and some fine saves from the AFC keeper denied them.

Finally with 10 mins left, a move which Ant both started and finished with an inspiring run from the left back position and a composed lob over the keeper (protected all the way to the line and beyond), Darkside scored their fourth and clinched the game, however there was still time for Alan "I can start a fight in an empty room" Flecther to throw an elbow at his marker, who to be fair was literally on Fletchers back, and earn a red card for his troubles....(must be a monkey moment?!)

Coach Tanna was delighted with the performance but even more so by the 25 bags of sausage and chips that was just reward for a fine footballing display.

Match report by: Steve