Amidst emotional scenes at Earl Shilton, SBA FC overturned a one-goal half time deficit to narrowly beat local rivals, Leicester Foxes.
The bodies on the pitch were (as far as I remember) Pete in goal, Tim, Russ and Digger at the back, myself (Danny Mac), Joe and Sam in centre mid with Fin and Banjo covering the wings and Ali and Dave up front. As Sam was carrying a knock, he traded places with Ali a little way into the first half.
After a very promising opening, SBA started to give away a few careless chances, but Pete was in inspired form, stopping everything that came at him. Apart from the one that went past him a little while before half time.
Leicester`s goalie was evidently no mug either and looked very sharp when he was called into action.
Overall, we didn`t really do ourselves justice in the first half, and probably had Pete to thank for the fact that we were still in the running.
The second half looked quite a bit more promising, although Leicester were bolstered by the arrival of some local youths whose match on the adjacent pitch had just finished. The defence were looking solid, we were spreading the ball well and were winning everything in the air. We were getting shots on target, but that dratted goalie just wouldN`t be beaten.
Then, out of the blue, a goal fashioned in Spencer Avenue: Joe flicked on Pete`s goal kick, I flicked on Joe`s flick on, Fin flicked on my flick on of Joe`s flick on and Sam capitalised on the combined work of the McKeown menfolk and a mockney rooter to cut across the last defender and send a sweet strike into the roof of the net from the periphery of the area.
Before Leicester had realised we were level, we were ahead. This time Ali got on the end of my cut back, eluding a challenge with a swift switch of feet, before thumping the ball over the now out-argued opposing keeper.
There could have been more goals in the game but, as it transpired, there weren`t. I was fortunate enough to be the subject of a touching presentation and a summary soap-beating, owing to the imminence of my departure to Japan.
Everyone played well after we`d shaken off a bit of a first half hangover. Pete selflessly nominated himself Shooter for the week ("for keeping you bastards in the game.") Rooter status was the unlucky lot of big bad Russ, who made a brilliantly timed run into the box, only to produce a finish that probably made him wish he hadn`t. The shot in question is still rising as we speak.
Now that I`m actually in Japan, kudos and best wishes to Tim for taking on the match tomfoolerising and Pete who is now in charge of team management. Good luck, guys.
DM, Osaka, Nov 2003.