Leicester City 2 -v- Huddersfield Town (Net.Terriers) 1
IFL League
Mountsorrell
17 May 1998
Team
LEICESTER CITY
Derek "the Cart" Marshall, Michael "Vialli" Desmond, Nobby, Michael "Jeez, sorry mate, didn't recognise you with your clothes on" Lax,
Porl, Paul Griffiths, Darren K, Joc Chadwick, Geoff Peters, Pat Farragher, Neil "The Next Generation" James (The Father Figure),
Dave of Sox, Tony Roe, Ash Holland
Goalscorers : Ash Holland, Dave of Sox
This is what Nobby reported to the lcfc-list the following day:
Well, shiver my timbers. My gast has been well and truly flabbered.
At this rate Leicester will lose their tag as the PSI League whipping boys
(although obviously any offers will be considered by the management!!) and
become a force to be reckoned with in the wonderful world of internet
football. I can wait!
I'm sure there will be a proper match report to come so, rather than
duplicate the effort (and besides I can't be expected to play *and* think at
the same time), I'll give my account of the general overall proceedings.
At the moment my brain is working far faster than my lickle fingers can type
so don't expect much sense out of me right now! I'm still on a real high
anyway (which has absolutely nothing to do with the wierd powdery substance
added to the water at half-time) so this review comes straight from the
heart and totally by-passes the head.
I'll confess, earlier this week I was getting dangerously close to calling
the whole wretched affair off (although, now, I'm obviously mighty glad I
stuck with it!). Anyone who's ever had the task of organising these things
by *email* will know what a nightmare it can be in the *best* of times. By
Tuesday night I had a pitch (*just* ... although my long-standing booking
was nearly in jepoardy when it was announced that an annual rounders
tournament might have clashed with it!), and I had an opposition, but I was
beginning to have serious doubts about having men of my own to play with (in
the *footballing* sense obviously). Messages to my players and the guy who
may or may not have been providing us with the kit either bounced or
remained unanswered so I had no idea whether a) I'd have enough to field a
side, and b) if I did, whether we'd have anything to wear. Suddenly I wished
I had *phone numbers* for my guys and not just email addresses! Jeez, I bet
Martin O'Neill never has problems like these. What chance of him emailing
his players every Friday night telling them where and when to meet the
following day? (What chance any of them being able to read it anyway?!)
Anyway, despite such strong reservations, 2 full squads arrived at the home
of Rothley Imps FC on what was probably the hottest day in the history of
the world and, once we'd all said "coo, the pitch is hard", proceedings were
allowed to ... erm ... proceed.
The Leicester lot looked resplendent in a full set of matching kit (thanks
Derek!!!) - a far cry from the rag-tag appearance at Euronet 97 - but we
were all hoping it wasn't going to be a case of "looks can be deceptive".
Leading up to the big kick-off Huddersfield looked considerably more
confident than we felt. And so they should. They were PSI League veterans,
looking to extend a 5-game winning sequence and hoping to secure a victory
that would've elevated them into second place. Leicester, meanwhile,
fielding a unique blend of age and experience (although mainly *age*!), went
into the game unbeaten in the League since February.
But then we hadn't *played* in the League since February. Doh!
When Town went ahead within minutes of kick-off I'm sure I wasn't the only
one with visions of double figures but a combination of resolute Leicester
defending and bad luck on Town's part ensured the visitors, who dominated
the first half, bagged no further goals before half-time. After the break
Leicester were an improved side and an early injury to Porl brought Geoff
Peters into the fray. While still rolling Porl off the pitch - oh the perils
of football management - I heard a cheer, saw my team-mates celebrating (and
guessed we must have won a corner or summat) and then watched Town traipsing
back to the centre circle. We'd only bloomin' well scored, hadn't we, and
I'd chuffin' well missed it. Grrrr! Not only that, I'd missed the chance to
do my now famous goal celebrations. Bugger.
Little did I know that I'd get the opportunity to "do the Rav" later!
Huddersfield came close a few times after our equaliser and might well have
regained the lead. We cleared off the line at one point (the clearing
defender has since received a proposal of marriage and the offer of children
from our grateful 'keeper, Derek the Cart Marshall, which I shall make damn
sure materialises) and Town missed a gilt-edged chance to go infront in the
second half when one of their guys missed an open goal. I think, had that
gone in, it could well have killed us off but today luck was against the
visitors.
By now it was absolutely sweltering and we were all struggling a bit with
cramp and the heat and it was a relief we'd both come with large squads and
an agreement to play rolling subs. I myself had been feeling my hamstrings
since early in the first half; it was my own fault - I was so pre-occupied
doing the "organising" bit and getting my players' arses into gear I
neglected my own and rushed my warm-up. Doh!
Just as I was beginning to think how useful the draw would be for us, we had
another attack and the last thing I can remember is seeing the ball bulge
the back of the net! I remember very little else about it - I think I must
have had my shirt over my head at the time!! Besides I was too far away to
see much of the build-up; I always get a nose-bleed if I venture that far
into the opposition's half. But a goal's a goal in my book and, although the
remaining few minutes dragged something chronic, it turned out to be the
winner!!
We're not used to these victory things down here (yet!!) so weren't quite
sure how one celebrates but we all just resorted to smug grins and mouthing
"we did it" every so often to one another.
Apart from the result I was very encouraged by the commitment shown by our
players and the lengths some of them went to to be at the game; Derek had to
cancel a hockey tournament to be with us, Neil drove down from Stockport for
the game, Paul G from Manchester, Dave of Sox from Reading (ish) and Michael
Lax from Oxfordshire. Plus Porl was flying out to Iran immediately after the
game (definitely *business* as opposed to pleasure) so was enjoying the
chance for a kick-about whilst his limbs were all still intact.
As for the Huddersfield lot - what bloody nice chaps (copyright Tim
Nice-But-Dim). For those teams that have already had the pleasure, you'll
know exactly what I mean, but for those that haven't yet, get a friendly
sorted out pronto and you'll find out just what a super set of lads they
are. They epitomise the spirit of Internet footy. I'm sure they'll make
perfect hosts at the forthcoming Land Ut Gods tournament and I'm glad
Leicester are going to be part of it. Cheers Hudds.
Now we just need to keep that winning sequence going ...
The mood we're in right now I think we can take on the world. In the
meantime, we'll happily settle for a place in LUG - see y'all in Huddersfield.
Nobby
Meanwhile, this was my own report:
Electric Yetis 2 v 1 Net.Terriers
Well based on the fact that we lost our only other league outing this
season 5-1 to the hands on Leeds, and Hudderfield are well above them in
the table, it seemed only reasonable to expect to lose this one. (And as
keeper I was dreading double figures!).
Huddersfield fielded a good side, not their best side, but a capable one
nonetheless... Stu Hill was missing suffering from a knee injury. (We
reckon he just didn't want to play his old side :) )
With the weather being so hot, and both teams having full squads of players
we decided to go for the rolling subs options, so players were oft changed
around during the match.
The match commenced, and straight away the Yetis made life hard for
themselves, as Huddersfield returned a goal kick with interest, the return
header falling nicely for the Huddersfield forward, who lobbed the keeper
from the edge of the box, from a possible offside decision. Still no
complaints from any of our lads, and we got on with the game. Huddersfield
had most if not all of the early play and it was mainly their inability to
shoot with real power that stopped them scoring any more, Yeti's keeper
Derek Marshall having to dive and block one effort, the rebound going
narrowly wide. At this stage Leicester's attacking option was to win the
ball in midfield and hoof over the top for the forwards to chase, which
really was not getting us anywhere, apart from a few hopeful shots from
distance.
Another attacking move from the Huddersfield saw a good cross with the
forward doing well to get the header in, but again with no real power.
Half time came and basically us Leicester players were relieved that we
were only 1-0 down, and that considering we had been fairly unorganised,
due to not playing many games recently, we knew we could play better given
the chance.
Several changes were made both in personnel and position and it was a
somewhat different formation of Yeti which took the field for the second
half.
The new formation immediately had a much better effect on the Yeti's game,
with the instant cessation of the long ball down the middle, we actually
started to look much better going forward, using the wide players and
generally passing it around quite well. However Huddersfield were still
making the early play at this point, and had a couple of shots which went
High, Wide and Handsome. Leicester were at this point under some sever
pressure with the keeper thankful for his defender who hacked the ball to
safety from somewhere worryingly near to the goalline. Suddenly Leicester
began to have a real impact on the game, forcing the Huddersfield keeper
into a couple of good saves. The tide was slowly beginning to turn in
Leicester's favour, although you can never count Huddersfield out of a game
judging by the number of goals they have scored this year. A good effort
from one of the Leicester forwards went agonisingly over the bar and
another good chance was spurned wide, when suddenly after good work down
the right, Ash Holland received the ball, beat a player and drove the ball
home, sparking amazing scenes from the delighted Leicester players, who
probably couldn't quite believe what was happenning.
1-1 and we were happy, thinking "If only we can hang onto this, we'll be
well chuffed". However, both sides were looking strong in the attacking
department. The match developed into a tense midfield struggle, with most
shots coming from distance. Huddersfield then broke away, the Yeti keeper
had to go out to the forward, who squared the ball to an unnamed
Huddersfield team manager :) who managed to turn the ball wide of a
completely open goal (He was later heard to say " I knew something didn't
feel right as soon as it left my foot". This was a dire warning to
Leicester that this game really wasn't dead, and led to players redoubling
their efforts. Leicester began to dominate the attack with a couple of
good chances being put wide or over. Then came the amazing moment when we
took the lead, Darren K, who had a good game throughout, took the ball
down the right wing, cut inside, and squared to ball to Dave Sox, who
gleefully slammed the ball home from about ten yards. It was a well worked
goal, and was the proof that Leicester had been getting gradually better,
the longer the game went on.
This left us with about 10 minutes to defend the lead, to claim our first
ever internet league win. (In fact our first EVER win, apart from a 6 a
side astroturf win against Derby Ramsnet 2 years ago). Huddersfield threw
men forward, as indeed they had to, forcing a couple of chances, Derek
Marshall having to punch clear from a high ball into the box, and having to
clear to touch from another through ball. But it was not to be
Huddersfield's day, as the Electric Yetis fought on to deny any further
goals. At the final whistle most Leicester players didn't know whether to
jump up and down screaming we've won, or look as though we'd seen it all
before and walk off normally. We settled for a party on the sideline with
the bottled water and a camera, before making our way off to the showers
and later the bar where both sides got together for a drink.
There are too many Yeti players to name them all here (we had a squad of 15
for this game), but thanks go to everyone who turned up to play and
organise from both sides, and we hope to see you all again soon!
This was a game played in the spirit of Internet football, with both sides
respecting each other, as with many games the fact that we didn't have a
referee didn't cause too many problems.
Any other team who hasn't played Huddersfield yet, make sure you do as they
are a friendly team. I've been fortunate to play against them twice this
season, and have enjoyed both matches.
Last point: Anyone who fancies a game against Leicester, we can get a
pitch pretty much anytime, at the moment we are not playing regular enough
to get squads together for any long distance away games, but we seem to be
able now to get home games sorted.
