27 January 2007 - League
Darkside 5 v AFC Hampton 1
Team: Adrian, Ant, Ben M, Ben S, Carlos, Cullum, Dan B, Ian, Jim, Kia, Phill
Goals: Ben M, Ben S, Cullum x2, Ian / Assists: Ben M x2, Ant, Dan B, ? / MOTM: Dan B / MM: Neil

After the postponement of the Westside game, the Darkside boys were eager to get a game under their belts and get back to winning ways. The pre match preparation was dominated by a will he won't he pantomime act by Alan. The rest of the lads crammed into the luxury heated changing rooms to get suited and booted. Upon emerging from the changing rooms to begin the warm up, it appeared that we were playing against an U16 team. The AFC Hampton team had a number of fresh faces in their squad, many unfamiliar from their training match defeat earlier in the week at the hands of the Darkside.

Like a blackjack dealer starting a new game, Coach Tanna had to shuffle his pack with a mixture of new (Carlos) and old faces (Phil) due to a number of first team players being unavailable for selection. With the first and second choice keepers unavailable (Roberto) Carlos filled in as keeper, French Dan was moved into midfield with Jim taking his place in central defence. Ian, Ben S and Aidy played in their normal positions; Ant was deployed on the right wing with the returning Phil stationed on the left wing. The line up was completed with a new front partnership of Cullum and Ben M and Kia moved into a central midfield role.

The game kicked off and the opening exchanges between the two teams were fairly scrappy as the Darkside players had to adjust to playing in unfamiliar positions. Neither side could gain the upper hand until the ball fell to Ben M on the edge of the box at the railway line end of the ground. Ben M brought the ball under control, sold the defender with a deft body swerve and then curled a delicious shot around three defenders into the top corner of the net, the opposition keeper was powerless to stop Ben's moment of inspiration.

1-0 to the Darkside! The goal seemed to visibly relax the Darkside players and they began to pour forward in search of more goals.

Soon after Ben M's goal the ref awarded a free kick 25 yards from the AFC Hampton goal. With the regular dead ball specialists Tim and Craig not playing, Ben S placed the ball down, checked the wind direction and curled an unstoppable free kick around the AFC Hampton wall into the top left corner. Once again the AFC Hampton keeper could only watch the ball sail into the back of the net. 2-0 to the Darkside!

AFC Hampton tried to get back into the game but were limited to only a few half chances and found themselves up against an inspired keeper in the form of (Roberto) Carlos. Carlos made a number of outstanding saves and when called upon at set pieces he added some continental flair by punching the in swinging corners to safety.

Darkside responded with an exhibition of free flowing football of the highest quality (reminiscent of the 30 pass Argentina goal at the world cup) and 75 passes later Ant picked up the ball on the right wing and after some superb interplay with Ben M he whipped a delightful cross across the 18 yard box. An unmarked Cullum at the far post couldn't refuse the offer and lashed home a sublime volley to cap off a wondrous flowing move. 3-0 to the Darkside!

Growing increasing frustrated with their inability to match the Darkside in this game, one of the AFC Hampton players reacted badly to a fair attempt to win possession back by Cullum. The Hampton player then kicked Cullum which led to a mini brawl breaking out. The referee, who was close to the action, somehow missed the whole thing (he should have gone to specsavers!) and the Hampton player escaped punishment.

Just before half time a hopeful long punt up the pitch from AFC Hampton caught the defence off guard and their striker outpaced Aidy to slot the ball home. The ref blew for halftime soon after and the Darkside went back to the changing rooms for some half time inspiration from Coach Tanna.

The second half was a bit more of an even contest with AFC Hampton cranking up the pressure in order to find a way back into the match. They created a number of half chances but found they were no match for the skills of (Roberto) Carlos in goal and (Jean Claude Van) Dan who put in an all action performance in central midfield. Ian who had obviously been fired up by Coach Tanna's half time talk, picked up the ball about 25 yards from goal and hit a speculative swirling, dipping cross into the box which then arrowed into the top corner. Ian in the post match interview claims he meant it as a shot but the dubious goals panel is still undecided. 4-1 to the Darkside!

Match report by: Kia