However, on arrival at the ground, Tim managed to grab Dipesh (who was watching his own team from the sidelines) and ask whether he'd play if the opposition were in agreement. This was aways going to be tricky because the Motley Crew, Alltraders challengers for the fourth qualifying postion, were playing the game prior to that of Alltraders and were no doubt going to notice the familiar appearance of Dipesh on the pitch. Bearing in mind it was Dipesh that nearly cost us three points last year, it was taking a real risk playing him tonight.
Nevertheless, the opposition team, with the knowledge of the referee, allowed him to play. This may well be because they are firmly placed at the bottom of the table with a minus 35 goal difference - no chance of qualification it seemed. Fortunately, Motley crew disappeared immediately after their game.
The odd thing was that Alltraders actually started this game in fourth position. This came as a real surprise bearing in mind their defeat last week and Motley Crew's draw against Ifield Eagles. A closer look at the board saw that the referee had put last weeks result as a 2 - 1 win to Alltraders as opposed to a win by White Shirts - what a result! However, a sudden burst of honesty got the better of Tim Leader as he mentioned this to the league co-ordinator who duely noted this slight cock-up by the officials.
The conditions tonight were appalling. It was absolutely pi**ing down with rain, with a very blustery cross wind that was going to cause big problems for both teams.
Broadfield were a very young team with loads of energy and enthusiasm. Alltraders, on the other hand, looked pretty bedragled in the wind and rain and didn't really look up to for challenge. The ref called the teams together and signalled an Alltraders kick against the railway end first half.
The game started at a moderate pace, with Alltraders keeping posession of the ball for long periods of time but without really looking penetrative. Broadfield defended well in the first few minutes, but seemed to lose concentration as Tim Leader casually pushed the ball into the path of Dipesh for him to finish in style for the first goal.
From then on, Broadfield's inexperience started to show as they left massive holes at the back for Tim and Kevin to exploit time and again. With several shots on target, it was only the skill of the young Broadfield 'keeper that kept the first half score at a respectable 1 - 0 up to half time.
The second half saw a completely different contest. With conditions worsening, the ball zipped furiously off the surface stretching the game for both teams. It was Alltraders that seemed to have the edge, continuing to exploit the gaps in the Broadfield defence leaving Tim as the lone striker feeding off balls from Kevin and Sal at the back.
Having had one or two attempts at the trademark lob, Tim decided enough was enough and smashed the ball with all his strength into the back of the Broadfield goal from a through pass from Kevin Burton mid way through the second half.
Not learning from their earlier mistakes, Broadfield allowed Tim Leader two further carbon-copy goals to take the score to four-nil before the rain soaked ref called an end to the proceedings.
In truth I think Altraders would have won with four players. The opposition only brought out one save from Warren Fiveash, and Tim Leader's striking seemed assured tonight, this being only his second hat-trick in all five-a-side competitions.
So, it still looks good for qualification if results continue in Alltrader's favour. Two more games....
Final Score:
Alltarders 4 (1) - 0 (0) Broadfield Eagles
Tim Leader
(3)
Dipesh