A C Leigh 8 NSTD FC 9

NSTD sneak past A C Leigh

In a good natured game played in an excellent spirit against a great bunch of lads NSTD clawed their way back from a 4 goal deficit to take a hard fought victory. The side only had one change from the previous match with Gary in for absent "striker" Nick who was unable to make the game as it was his fiancée's birthday. Recent revelations from him however make me think that it was far more likely he was scouring Gay Bars in search of champagne and strawberries. We started well, Gary giving us the lead with a well taken goal but things soon started to go wrong for NSTD as shortly after he limped off with an ankle injury and was unable to return. A few goals followed for both teams to leave the score at 3-2 to NSTD before goalkeeper Rich, who had already made a couple of good saves, announced that he was suffering with a back injury and was ready to come off the next time either keeper had the ball, when a free kick deflected off Paul to draw the scores level and to take his tally to 2 own goals in his last 2 game!

For some reason I decided I would take Rich's place in goal and demonstrated my considerable goalkeeping talents by consequently letting shot after shot through my legs. I prefer to think of it as good finishing rather than dodgy keeping. The only shot I did manage to save hit me in the nuts and the rebound was clinically slotted away. It was clear NSTD were struggling against a well organised A C Leigh team who closed down space excellently and made it hard for us to get any real rhythm going. However James was looking like he was somewhere back to his best and was a constant threat, scoring twice in the last couple of minute of the 1st half to bring the score back to 7-5. With some relief half time was reached giving us a chance to regroup with A C Leigh deservedly in front.

Mercifully for me Niall took on goalkeeping duties for the 2nd half which seemed to revitalise us and a good one touch passing move between Gibbo and myself ended with a blistering shot into the top corner to pull it back to 7-6. With Kev sweeping up well in defence, Paul and myself nearly killing ourselves in midfield and James deployed in the position vacated by Gay Boy Nick (who assures us will be back for the next game - assuming he and Niall don't go on a gay cruise together instead) we looked a much more solid outfit and a couple of well taken goals took us into the lead at 8-7. Paul once again showed his ability to score own goals as a tame pass-back dribbled through Niall's legs and despite a comic attempt to rescue the situation, worthy of Bambi on ice, the scores were level again. The game looked to be heading for a draw which would have been the fairest result but in the last few minutes a left footed flick by Paul fluked its was past the A C Leigh keeper the win it 9-8. A C Leigh can count themselves extremely unlucky to come away with nothing from a game they could just as easily have won. Goals came from James (3), Paul (3), Gary (1) and 2 for myself.
Man of the Match goes to Paul who ran himself ragged for the cause.

Added:  Friday, April 29, 2005
Match Reporter:  Mark Humphreys
Sportsmanship:
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Language: eng