18 March 2006 - League
Darkside 3 v Outcasts 1
Team: Adrian, Andy, Ant, Ben M, Ben S, Chris, Craig, Dan B, Dan S, Ian, Mark P, Mike, Tim
Goals: Mike, Dan S, Adrian / Assists: Mark P, Ben M, Tim / MOTM: Ian / MM: ?

WEAK OUTCASTS CAST-ASIDE

Darkside turned up on a ‘breezy' home ground after the disappointment of a semi-final cup defeat the previous week, all fired up for an Outcast team that had already beaten them once in a controversial league match earlier this season.

With news coming in that the Outcast team had turned up just 20 minutes before kick-off, with no kit, Darkside manager Neil made the decision to bring the Darkside team into the ‘warm' changing room for yet another inspiring team talk; “Right lads, who fancies buying their own shirts for next season, and getting your names on the back?!” and “What about colours for the new shirts? Salmon Pink?”

Outcasts finally managed to field an (8-man) team for a 3:11pm kick off against a Darkside team which lined up as: Andy in goal, Ian, Adrian, French Dan & Ant in defence, Little Ben, Craig, Tim & Mark P in midfield, and Mike and Big Dan up front.

The match got underway and Darkside were under pressure straight from the off, with the 7 outfield players for Outcasts bossing the play. However, after a few long balls and slow Outcast strikers, the Darkside defence were pretty comfortable allowing the wind to carry the ball straight through to the keeper Andy.

10 minutes gone and the match was pretty even – until Outcasts brought on their 3 spare players. Then, it was one way traffic – the Darkside way. The whites broke from a ‘mazy' French Dan run, who found Craig, who in turn found Mark, who, with one touch, laid the ball straight into the path of an oncoming Mike – 1-0 to the Darkside.

Some more nice play from Darkside saw several attacks and corners come to no avail, despite Mike and Big Dan leading the line well. Darkside kept the pressure up and some good, tenacious work from Little Ben, saw him put through Big Dan who slotted home under the keeper from 12-yards – 2-0 – Darkside.

Darkside kept pressing and the Outcasts were pinned back in their own half. A long goal kick from the Outcast keeper saw Ian collect the ball on the half way line (and take it past about 7 players) and put an inch-perfect, defence splitting pass into Big Dan (who was onside), who knocked it pass the keeper – 3-0… that was until the 80 year old ref/linesman/one man and his dog contestant blew his whistle – offside.

Darkside were 2-0 up, and comfortable. Outcasts needed a radical change, and that came from plan B – instead of playing the long ball, they played the longer ball. This, combined with the wind, was causing trouble with the Darkside defence. With 5 minutes left until half time, Outcasts broke, and the striker managed to knock it past Andy the keeper – only for him to take a liking to the strikers bootlace… down the striker went, and silent the refs whistle stayed – no penalty.

The lads went in at half-time, 2-0 up.

A couple of changes were made at half-time, which saw Kidwell coming on as a straight swap for captain Craig in the middle of the park (with Adrian taking the armband), and Little little Ben/Grimes/Bert/Ernie replacing Mark. Ben filled in at left back, with Ant pushing forward to left wing.

The second half kicked off and was a lot quieter than the first. With the quality and possession pushing Darkside forward, and just the wind pushing Outcasts forward, the match was pretty even. A few snap shots from Darkside was all that both teams had to offer – including Little Bens left-footed volley, that bobbled in mid-air (apparently), which ended up going out of play for an Outcast throw-in.

Darkside kept pressing, and with a series of corners, their aerial threat posed by Big Dan and Adrian was sure to cause trouble. Tim's deep corner was met by the head of recently goal-shy Adrian who smashed the ball into the roof of the Outcast goal – 3-0.

Cue Tim: “Come on lads, let's get a clean sheet here”. Which was immediately followed by a wave of Outcast corners. Andy's fingertips pushed a scrappy flick onto the underside of the crossbar, but the valiant effort prevented the rippling of the net, but the ball managed to creep over the line - 3-1. Cheers Tim!

Darkside kept their composure, and the defence stayed strong up until the final whistle. 3-1 to Darkside. Manager Neil congratulated the team on a good performance, and asked the most important questions of the afternoon: “Who's going for a drink?” and “What do people fancy? KFC? Fish & Chips? Pizza? Burgers?”

And the Whites go marching on... up next, AFC Kingston and with Hershams shock win over Claygate Royals, every match is now simply a must win in the hot race for promotion.

Match report by: Ian