Alltraders v Can't Score, Won't Score

6th July 2000 - 20:30 - Attendance : 3 - pitch 1

Alltraders were now entering their seventh game without a win so far in this competition, their worst run ever. Time for drastic action! With both Paul Burton and Sal unavailable again, two new signings were officially secured on Monday. Andy was signed on a full time basis following his impressive game against Arriva two weeks ago, and Tony Good plays his first match for the club. Tony comes to Alltraders with an impressive pedigree and should help strengthen the midfield. This is the one area that needs strenghthening, along with the goalkeeping, defence and attack. Not too much to ask ...

Tonight's opposition are a team Alltraders have played against a couple of times during the pre-season training. They are a fairly strong side, but can be very physical. It was clear that they were keyed up for this game, obviously fancying their chances having seen Alltraders current bad run of form. The last thing we needed tonight was to lose to this team, not only because we need the points, but because their player-manager Dave Coppard would never let us forget it bearing in mind he was the original manager of the current Alltraders team when they were known as 'Southgate Hammers' back in the early nineties...

Andy started his second game tonight	Tony's debut for Alltraders

The game started at a failry lively pace, with the new-look Alltraders team settling into a good early rhythm. The opposition battled well, but were unable to break the revitalised Alltraders defence.

Tony started to make his presence felt in the midfield, and Andy looked comfortable on the ball causing the opposition a major headache with his penetrating runs (I think it was the curry this week).

Around half way through the first half, Kevin timed his run perfectly to meet a pass from Andy to slam home Alltraders first goal of the night. Almost immediately from the restart, Andy robbed an opposition defender and smashed in number two. With Alltraders now on a roll, Tony decided to get in on the action and vollied number three at around 140 miles per hour. All this with a minute left of the half.

Are we really three up?	Andy launches into another shot	and goes for the world high jump record while he's at it...

Tony runs the midfield	Evidence! Dave Coppard back to his old ways...	Andy's shot agonisingly close

This was like the Alltraders of old, swift one-touch passing and good running off the ball. Poor Warren fiveash had trained at Tottenham at the weekend, but was only ever going to have to deal with the odd back pass to keep him awake tonight.

The second half saw much of the same. Andy was on fire tonight, and netted a further two goals to claim his hattrick and take the top scorer position having only played two games for the club this season. The first was a well placed shot, and the second a superbly directed lob that gave the keeper no chance.

Andy on the way to his second goal	Kevin just settles for the one goal tonight	Tony has another crack

Andys' hattrick - the delicate chip	...past the keeper	...as it heads for goal

Tony tries his hand at a lob	but this time the keeper is wise to it!
Kevin and Andy celebrate a job well done	Warren celebrates his clean sheet

So, at last Alltraders finally secure a win, and what a way to do it. It's taken seven games, but we got there in the end. With Andy and Tony looking like they will complete the season and hopefully carry on throughout the winter competition, things have finally started to look up for Alltraders.

Final Score:

Alltraders 5 (3) - (0) 0 Can't Score Won't score