29 March 2008 - League
Surrey Fire 2 v Darkside 2
Team: to follow
Goals: Craig, Paul / Assists: - / MOTM: - / MM: -

Every point was proving crucial as Darkside approached the business end of the season; anything from 2nd to 7th was available for the Blue Army. As was always the case, Surrey Fire were a solid opposition and one Darkside were yet to beat over past battles. As usual Surrey Fire were out warming up 2 days in advance, Darkside were preparing behind closed doors.

Everyone was available, except Mayes. Carlos returned between the sticks. Dixon led the line with Cullum. It was another hard-hitting game, in very very wet conditions. Carlos was the busiest DS player, as the ball often zipped all the way through to him; his kicking leg was getting plenty of practice.

The opening came from The Fire skipper, seemingly unmarked 25 yards out and his low drive found the bottom corner. A test for the DS mentality. Half time arrived, after a scrappy half, no further trouble to the scores, only to the weather and the poor s*ds on the sidelines, soaked to the bone.

The weather continued to be cr*p, but Darkside found a resurgence, the Fire had lost their skipper prior to the break and maybe were still reorganising as Kingston bettered their opened from further out, same result though bottom corner 1-1. Little time passed before Dixon expertly shinned a lob over the onrushing goalkeeper 2-1. Could Darkside finally break their duck?

The Fire laid siege to Darkside goal, Boyd and Szil, Kingston and Adams were all playing excellent back to the walls defending. Could they hold out for time? Saunders limped off, Adams was also replaced another sterling effort. Bob and Tim entered the fray, to try and stem some of the attacking play. Robs forehead saw some action, firstly with a number of well won headers, and then via the right hand of a Fire teenager. Bob did the manful thing and laughed it off, the little gimp tried to continue his argument, but it fell on deaf ears.

Then from nothing the Fire drew level, the left back bounding forward, and hitting one of those shots that only 1 in 1000 would hit the back of the net, unluckily for Darkside this was the one. Much to the teams dismay, there resistance had been broken, time ran out, both sides attempting the win, Richard came on and caused some problems, almost stealing the win in the finals minutes but for a last ditch challenge.

It was a muddy affair, Darkside had been the better side, maybe a draw was just about the right result, but another game unbeaten for Darkside, there season still very much alive.

Match report by: Tim