21 October 2006 - League
Darkside 1 v Hersham R.B.L 2
Team: Adrian, Andy, Ant, Ben S, Chris, Craig, Cullum, Dan B, Dan S, Ian, Kia, Mike, Tim
Goals: Mike / Assists: Ant / MOTM: Ben S / MM: Ben S

And so it began the latest chapter in what is rapidly becoming one of the great rivalries in KDFL history, the high flying Darkside vs the ever fortunate Hersham.

Pre-game Tanna announced that he wanted to try something different…gasps went round the group at the thought of Christmas trees and diamonds, Gale even quipped that we might try 2-6-1 . However the gaffer backed up rumour that he actually gave thought to the proceedings by getting the lads together and opening it up to a general discussion on where we can improve as a team.

In the event it was the tried and trusted 4-4-2 that had seen DS to their strongest performance of the season the week before. Notable absentees included Ben Owen Mole who had twisted his ankle during an unauthorised 5 a side game down at Goals and Dixon who was presumably taking the afternoon off to write his match report from 3 weeks ago. Mayes replaced Mayes who we broke the week before and it all looked good. We even had lines on the pitch, the grass was a bit long though but Saunders fancied his chances of making an impression due to his rugby aspirations.

We lost the toss and went down hill first and so knew that the first half had to be a winning one. The boys started in that vain with early pressure being applied to the Hersham defence. Swain tried his luck from range, Masuku was a menace and Cullum was making some great runs down the right flank. The captain was also getting his eye in with a couple of drives from the edge of the area…surely the boys would break through soon.

Hersham were employing the long ball, which the back 4 were mopping up…les bleus in particular was dominant. The only slight concern were balls being allowed to bounce or the threat the Hersham strikers posed with their pace. The goal came from a though ball that the striker sprinted through on. The boys felt safe though as it was Saunders, possibly the quickest player (if only Kidwell would cut down on the kebabs to rival him in this regard) who was in hot pursuit. To his credit the striker took the shot very early, just before Saunders was about to tackle and it flew in off the far post – the only spot Mayes had no chance of reaching. Not deserved but a good goal none the less….we knew that we would bounce back.

DS immediately put the pressure back on Hersham and it was not long before Wright intelligently passed the right back, taking the ball to the goal line before pulling back to Masuku who squeezed it in at the near post in typical eye of a needle fashion – joy of joys we were back in it.

Half time came and the gaffer rallied the troops – plan was to get the ball to Wright who had the beating of the full back all day. DS set up camp in the second half at the Hersham end – Masuku later estimated this to be 40 out of a possible 45 minutes in their half. There must have been 10 attempts on the Hersham goal with at least 5 being good chances if anything it was just the final bit of ruthlessness that was missing from the boys. Kia and Kidwell were introduced to try something different however as Swain pointed out, when he went off the crosses started coming in when Kia wanted it to feet!

During one of very few ventures into the Darkside half Hersham won a corner. The boys marked up well and were concentrating. It was a viscous in-swinging corner to the front post. Kingston beat the striker in the air only to see the ball cruelly flash past Mayes. History was starting to repeat itself in more ways than one.

9 minutes to go though we still had a chance…more chances for DS – Cullum thumped one against the post, their keeper made 16 saves one of which was a tremendous close range strike from Saunders. The boys couldn't believe he had kept it out.

Time had run out for the unlucky whites unbelievably lightening had struck twice. Same one sided game, same weather, same result. Neill had tried to give us the edge by giving Hersham the wrong kick off time in a vain effort to tire them out but even this tactic could not change the Darksides fate.

The boys were dejected, their clothes were soaking and 3 points had slipped away. Mayes summed it up nicely – 1 shot, 2 goals. We are still playing some good football though and 4 wins from 6 is not a bad start in the higher division. Light relief comes next week in the form of the Surrey cup so let's put this one behind us and get back to winning ways. One of these days we will give Hersham the thumping they deserve.

The race night was a reasonable success with 12 Darkside representatives, Marks quip that we were a 5 a side team was undeserved. Wright had the best luck with 4 winners to go with his assist. I think Saunders scored the monkey moment as we were leaving for sporting a very attractive red handbag. The boys went away in better spirits than they arrived.

Match report by: Adrian