01 April 2006 - League
Darkside 1 - Hersham R.B.L 2
Team: Adrian, Alan, Andy, Ant, Ben M, Ben S, Craig, Dan B, Dan S, Ian, Mark P, Mike, Steve, Tim
Goals: Mike / Assists: Dan S / MOTM: Ben S / MM: -

So once again Darkside arrived on a sunny, but windy afternoon full of hope and expectations for a match that had been in the backs of everyone's mind for some weeks now. This was what the club had been waiting for since the disappointing cup exit to Surrey Fire; this was our chance to prove to everyone that a 6 game 100% record in the league was by no means just luck.

Gate reciepts were at a 2006 high for this all important fixture, with Phill and Big Ben arriving early to enjoy the spectacle that is a Masuku warm up. Spirits in the camp were high, not simply from the continued rise up the league table, but Minty's joy at spotless changing rooms, plenty of space and hot showers. With the usual team talk and selection taking place, the heavens decided to open and the twenty minute downpour that followed preceded to leave a slippery film of water over the pitch.

The game kicked of with Darkside playing up wind and up hill, initially struggling to come to terms with several long balls played up to the Hersham attack, with more than one falling in the gap between defence and keeper. On one such occassion, a stinging sliding challenge from Saunders took the ball, right winger and kitchen sink half way down the hill, winning the throw-in in the process, but moments later the smile dropped from the realisation he had failied to pack clean pants.

The match continued with both teams showing flashes of attacking football, with both wings seeing a lot of action at either end of the pitch. These came in waves of attacking throw-ins in the penalty areas, but both defences stood firm, with both teams feeling aggrieved not to have taken the lead. Boyd's head was causing problems in the Hersham area, but back in the Darkside area a clear header from their attacking midfielder narrowly flew over the bar.

Darkside, playing the ball around with as much confidence as possible on the normal bobbly surface knew a breakthrough couldn't be long in coming. Nearing the half-hour mark, the ball was cleared as far as Saunders who attempted to switch play to Mole on the right. The ball was deflected back out to Harris who played a similar ball, directly into the box towards Swain who challenged and eventually managed to deflect the ball into Masuku's path, for a well deserved lead!

However, the lead was short-lived. Following another flowing Darkside move, a long thumped ball from the Hersham end bounced awkwardly stright down the centre of the pitch and with Andy forced to rush out, a cruel bounce onto Boyds right thigh and with gusts of 70 to 80 mph, the ball found its ways into the net to give Hersham a lucky equaliser in this all important game. Hersham were back in the match, but Darkside war-cries from the whole squad and supporters warned Hersham that we were out for the kill and wanted this match much much more than they.

Hersham were rescued by the half-time whistle and were lucky to leave the pitch at 1-1. Chairman Phill pitched in his thoughts over banana's and water; everyone believing this game was there for the taking. We were on top and a similar second-half performance must surely secure us the 3 points we so wanted and with the wind and slight slope of the pitch in our favour, the chav's of Chessington were all rushing to the local Ladbrokes backing the Darkside.

Now the story of the second half remains a mystery. We fought for every ball; won almost every one too! We literally camped in the Hersham end for at least two thirds of the half. Indeed, we very near built a camp fire on the edge of the 18 yard box and set up the barbeque. The first half had seen our defence holding strong on several occassions, but our main job at the back in the second half was picking up loose balls to feed back into the Hersham box.

Needless to say, somehow Hersham had managed to sign Petr Cech on loan for the weekend and repeated moments of brilliance denided first Gale from the left edge of the 18 yard box; a delicated lob that was beautifully drifting into the top right corner, only for Cech to appear from nowhere to tip over. Moments later a free-kick cleanly struck towards the left post looked to be in before once again Cech acrobatically pushed round the post.

With the half at least 25 minutes in, Hersham had some respite with a long punt up field towards our right corner. This had followed a Darkside corner and with us pushing for a winner, Hersham had caught us forward and an on rushing Andy and backtracking Harris, were unable to prevent the Hersham stricker taking his chance, threading the ball into the gap and an empty net. Once again, I felt so frustrated at being so close to reaching the ball trickling into the net, but simply not close enough.

And so with 10 minutes left Tanna brought on, in quick succession, Cook, Patton and Wright for Fletcher, Saunders and Mole, but the course of the game failed to change. A few half chances fell the way of Darkside, but nothing clear-cut and the match ended as the most disappointing 2-1 loss in Darkside history.

With a Victoire loss later discovered, it was realised that a draw could have really given us a chance at 2nd position; all the more gutting after a fine display; one that should have yielded the full 3 points for the better team. There was continued disappointment at the pub when the pizza's were opened up and it was found some people (Adrian) had only one slice. It seems the plentiful KFC or Sausage & Chips will be the choice of the 06/07 season.

Match report by: Ben S