03 February 2007 - League
Hersham R.B.L. 1 v Darkside 2
Team: Andy, Adrian, Ant, Ben M, Craig, Cullum, Dan B, Ian, Jim, Kia, Mike, Tim
Goals: Cullum x2 / Assists: ? / MOTM: Ant / MM: -

Hersham were the opposition for this crucial top of the table clash (if you don't include the top 2 sides…call it Arsenal vs Liverpool if you will…not quite the big 2 but certainly worthy of the 2 supporters). Recent games against this lot had been ridiculous to be honest….a catalogue of unjust results peppered with own goals, wasted chances and a general feeling of “I can't believe we lost that game”.

The boys were away on what was a pretty good pitch with more than adequate changing facilities. Slight cause for concern was the fact that we didn't have any subs. Kia was there supporting the lads to his credit but clearly not in any state to play. What would we do? All of a sudden like the opening scene from Laurence of Arabia the enigmatic figure of Tanna appeared on the horizon. Making his way toward the sidelines suddenly we all realised we could see his legs…could it be…surely not…then we saw the shorts. Making his 07 debut would be Neil Tanna.

Pete slotted in for Burt at left back and Masuko made his return to the side..the rest of the team was as you were. Early exchanges were fairly civilised with a couple of half chances for the boys in blue. The first incident of note was to occur in the DSFC box. The ball came swinging in and a DSFC player had the audacity to compete for the ball in the air. Naturally a penalty was the correct award for the home side and all the boys congratulated the ref on a decision well made.

Resigned to 1-0 all that stood in the way was the panther Mayes. He leapt to his right and denied the hapless Hersham striker…what a save equal to a goal at the other end…the game was on.

Pete impressed with a shot from the left side which only just went over the bar – this wasn't to be his only significant contribution….

The boys applied the pressure without breaking though, then came the sucker punch. Undone on the break Hersham sprung the offside trap and coolly slotted underneath the Panther's body. Boyd insisted it was offside but Pete later set him straight by confessing to playing him on (I am not saying that was Petes other contribution). Masuko commented that we couldn't play against bad luck like that and that we were bossing the game. He was right and the boys kept their heads right up. Their reward was a quick equaliser….The corner came in from the right wing and went right over the top of everyone except Callum. He made a telling contact and the ball looped into the back of the net.

The boys were enjoying Masuko's return with lots of clever hold up play and his ability to defend from the front..half time came and 1-1 was probably a fair reflection.

No changes were made as there were no injuries and there were a few rallying words from the multi tasker Tanna at half time. Basically get the ball to Ian as he had approximately 3 acres to tie his laces up in.

Story of the second half was loads of pressure being applied by the visitors. Pete spectacularly slammed one into the cross bar from a free kick.. the keeper was beaten all hands up but unfortunately Burts effort from the previous week could not be equalled (reference to the previous week due to no match report as scribe has no electricity). Hersham did manage to hit the post but generally the boys were very solid at the back. All we need was the goal.

Ian's injury midway through the 2 nd half allowed Tanna to bring his sideline ranting onto the pitch. He proved a handy right back with a few nice bits of link play…luckily Hersham never registered his slight lack of pace!

Gale was spraying the ball around like he would the following week (reference the week after's game as no one will do a match report for that one as it was abysmal!). One pass sticks in the mind as being on the outside of his right peg over the top into the channel for Mayes to run onto – what a ripper Kingston commented…secure in the knowledge that Australia would also triumph in the One day Internationals….how wrong can you get!!!!

Finally the goal came – who else at the moment but Callum. A cross from Wright was met by his flying head to bury the ball into the roof of the net…could it be…the right team would get the points??

Tanna arranged a speedy tactical change with Callum dropping in at right back to prevent him from getting a hatrick and the gaffa occupying the right wing. It proved a sturdy move and DSFC held out for a great win. Won 8 lost 3 now in the league…things are looking good.

England even won the rugby which the boys thoroughly enjoyed whilst munching on a spectacular amount of KFC down the Lion!

Match report by: Adrian