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| I want to go home |
28/01/2000 - Attendance: 3 - Kick Off: 21:00
As the caption states, we were actually due to play Caledonian tonight. Sadly they had to pull out of the competition due to shortage of players. However, they have been replaced by able replacements in tonights opposition, the 'two left feet'.
For the second week running, there was to be no sign of Jamie Fiveash. Due to the late kickoff he preferred to spend his Friday night drinking and clubbing with his girlfriend rather than playing football for Alltraders. Can't think why. So, tonight's Alltraders team was to be the same as last weeks : Warren Fiveash in goal, Paul Burton and Sal at the back with Tim Leader and Kevin Burton in a midfield/attack role.
It was a very wet and blustery night, causing severe problems for the camera girl. Apologies in advance for the quality of tonights images as they had to be taken from long range to spare the equipment permanent damage!
Wrapped up as if in a polar expedition, tonight's referee clearly looked like he'd had enough already. You have to feel a certain sympathy for the man having already endured five games tonight before officiating in this battle between the bottom two teams, and all in the pouring rain at that.
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| I want to go home |
The game eventually started with an Alltraders kick. There was to be a cunning new plan tonight - an attempt to catch the 'keeper unawares by having a crack straight from the referees whistle. This almost paid dividends as Paul Burton's blast from the halfway line was deflected just wide of the target and out for a corner. The chances of Paul actually scoring two weeks running are just about as likely as finding a good-looking lollypop lady!
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| Another determined tackle from Kev | Paul defends |
The first half saw almost constant Alltraders pressure with shot after shot either being hit just wide or well covered by the 'keeper. As the game continued at this furious pace, Paul Burton started to look a bit pained clearly regretting his decision to have dinner before coming out tonight. Do some people never learn?
Just as it looked like it was going to be another one of those 'why do we bother' nights, Kevin conjured up a bit of magic by rounding two opposition defenders before gracefully side-footing the ball out of the reach of the 'keeper to open the scoring.
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This goal seemed to spur the opposition into immediate action by probing further forward in an attempt to level the score before the half time interval. Fortunately tonight, Sal was more assured in his defending and snuffed out any real chance they had in front of Goal. Warren really didn't have that much to do apart from accept the odd back-pass and pose for the cameras.
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| A left foot shot ... | ...followed
by another - aha! that's why they are called 'two left feet' |
The second half started pretty much as the first half ended. Alltraders knew that they needed a good scoreline tonight to get their goal difference back in the black again, but time after time Tim Leader in particular wasted golden opportunities by scuffing the final shot after finding the space to attack the opposition goal unchallenged. It really was becoming a pretty dire night for the teams, the spectators and the referee.
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| Above:
Tim misses another chance Below: Warren and Sal wait for action |
Above:
Paul wanders further forward Below: At last the ref can go home |
We were all finally put out of our misery when the ref decided that enough was enough and called an end to proceedings. Alltraders finally managed to get their first victory of the season, even though it was less than convincing. Maybe Kevin's parting comment of "I think it"s about time we retired" should be taken a bit more seriously...
Final Score:
Alltraders 1 (1) - (0) 0 Two left feet
Kevin Burton
Pictures : Kirsty