Schedules o/s

Back to Top

Sunset Go Dutch

This meant that Ian Lomas was going to have to play like Dennis Bergkamp, Paul Macey would have to be the white Edgar Davids, Gary Watts was going to look like, no sorry play like Jaap Stam, Alan Purvis was going to be Arthur Numan (do we not hope that we get a new man in that position!!!) and most amazingly, Alex Bodden was going to be Sunset's answer to Mark Overmars.

The first twenty minutes started off most promisingly with Sunset even reaching the opposition's penalty area. The match-ups in defence were looking good in our favour, Carson Fagan against the afore-mentioned Gentleman Alan (except when he plays in the Bankers League, in rumours are to be believed). The confidence began to flow through the team with Keiran Loughran, not only making a few promising runs but actually passing the ball on occasions to someone wearing a Sunset shirt.

Gradually the National Team began to impose their authority on the game but some inspired shot blocking by James Owen (he got plenty of practice in the warm-up!) and some confident (?) shouting from the goalkeeper helped ensure that the scoresheet was kept blank. A needless corner was then conceded, the cross was floated, no Sunset player jumped, a powerful header, a magnificent reflex save (Wonder who is writing this?), defenders stand still, GOAL!!!!

One-nil down, drastic measures were required. Alex Bodden was substituted. This had the desired effect with no more goals conceded until half-time. The only other significant item of note was the introduction of Scott Henderson, who along with Simon ?Chicken Legs? McMain reduced the average weight of the team from 14 stone to 11 stone.

After a few words of encouragement from the Gaffer at Half-Time (Trust me there were only a few encouraging words and a lot of discouraging words), we began the second half with our answer to Patrick Kluivert, Kevin Craig up front and the Gaffer on the sidelines. Immediately, we lost control of the centre spot that the gaffer controlled so effectively in the first half. The second goal was not long in arriving, a cross into the middle from the left, a disputed off-side call, and a nice finish by the striker - not making the goalkeeper look foolish at all. (Ed?s Note - I meant to fall over).

Two-nil down, things were not looking very good, Nick "Sumo" Hollowell decides to take matters into his own hands by making a dramatic run (well it looked as though it was in slow motion) from left midfield to right wing. This was met by the cry from the Gaffer on the touchline "Where the f*ck are you, Nick?". By the time Nick returned to his left midfield slot, we were three-nil down. A cross again from the left, a botched clearance from Alan and a spectacular overhead kick from Carson which was in fairness going wide (or at least hitting the post) until it took a bad bounce off the pitch.

A total drubbing was now on the cards, and the gaffer brought on the experience of Robin Dalton, a player who played at a very high level after leaving Manchester City and himself who tells everyone he has played at a very high level. This had a stabilising effect on the team (or was it that the National Team took off most of their better players?) and no more goals were conceded for approximately twenty-five minutes. Another disputed off-side call, striker one-on-one on the keeper, keeper too slow to reach the ball (it is not easy trying to be the same weight as Dave McGrath), 4-0.

Gareth "Headless Chicken" Thacker, frustrated at the defensive tactics employed by the team began to chase the ball all over the pitch. Thankfully the referee blew the final whistle to save the team and particularly Gareth any further punishment.

In summary, a good run-out for everyone involved. A few key players and Ian Jagger were missing, however the replacements did a sound enough job.

Back to Top