18 November 2006 - League
Darkside 6 v Double H Res 3
Team: Adrian, Alan, Andy, Ben M, Craig, Cullum, Dan B, Ian, Jim, Kia, Mike, Pete, Tim
Goals: Cullum x2, Kia x2, Mike x2 / Assists: Andy, Mike x3, Tim / MOTM: Cullum / MM: -

On a bright Saturday afternoon coach Tanna selected a strong starting lineup to take on Double H reserves in this Teck Junior cup 2nd round match.

Opening exchanges were tight but there were a few goal mouth incidents at either end. However, it was Darkside that took the lead as Mikey coolly slotted home after his pace outstripped the visiting defense. This was celebrated in front of the watching crowd on the 1:48 from Guildford. Further chances were created throughout the half without either side capitalizing. The home team looked solid and both Alan and Cullum provided great width and support throughout the first half. Cullum, in particular, produced many darting runs that produced good saves from the keeper. It is a miracle his opponent was not booked with a foul count of at least six.

Coach Tanna's halftime team talk produced many of the usual clichés, “let's keep it tight”, “we need to keep our concentration” and “we'll keep creating chances”. This aside, the team also discussed how to keep quiet the talkative Scottish lone striker. It was decided that Dan would switch to man marking him, leaving Aidy to drop off.

Early in the second half Double H equalized through there diminutive lone striker, and then went on to take an undeserved 2–1 lead. All of a sudden a game that Darkside appeared to have in control seemed in the balance, however parity was soon restored, as Cullum scored from close range following good work from the impressive Mikey (2–2). After much head scratching Coach Tanna then made a double substitution and on came Pete for Jim at right back and Kia for the impressive Alan on the left side of midfield. With 25 minutes left this was a brave change and one Tanna later referred to as “inspirational”.

The home side now continued to pour forward in search of goals. Attacking their favorite road end, the goals did not take long to come. After good work on the right side from Mikey, Kia scored to make it 3–2. Then, quickly afterwards, Kia got his second following good work from Tim (4–2). The pacy and strong Mikey added another assist as he brilliantly setup Cullum to put Darkside into a 5–2 lead. It was fifteen minutes of brilliant attacking football. Mikey and Ben lead the line well and used the pace of Cullum on the right and, newly introduced, Kia on the left to carve Double H apart.

The visitors then pulled another goal back (5–3) following a scrappy period of play. This could have produced a tense finish. However, goalkeeper Andy's vision sent Mikey through with a long punt and in a one-on-one with the keeper he drilled it home.

A deserved 6–3 win and on to the next round of the cup. In what was occasionally a bad tempered match, the best side won and it could have been by even more goals. The spine of the team looked strong and well balanced in the 4-4-2 formation. Special mention must go the forward play of Ben and Mikey. The man of the match with two goals was Callum who's all round display of wide midfield play was excellent. Kia also deserves mention for coming off the bench and finishing with two well taken goals.

Match report by: Pete