McVitee FC on tour - Internet Owls (Sheff Wed) (a)

Internet Owls 2 McVitee 3

It turned out to be a lovely day for it. Set off in sunny conditions, 
reached Sheffield and it was warm, little breeze, baking sun (in the 
70's), firm pitch and no changing rooms!! There was a squad, which 
meant subs, the first for a while. The team started (I think):

			Rich S
	Martin F	Pete S	Dan R	Gav H
	Mark W	Spenner	Benny	Andy B
			Lee H	Jon

Subs, Lee G, Mark C and Dave B (acting as ref 1st half)

Right as far as I can remember......

Tough opening, both teams committed. Lee opens the scoring with a 
cross box shot into the top corner, we suspect (with I doubt Lee will 
admit) it was a cross from the right side for Jon that ended up in 
the back of the net. As usual this only spurred on the opposition and 
this time the Owls came back into it. In fact took a 2-1 lead with 
some good play and it looked like it would stay that way until 
minutes before half time when a right wing cross was turned into the 
net by an Owls defender. So half time came with a fortunate 2-2 
scoreline.
Half- time saw some changes, Dave B reliinquished the whistle and 
moved into midfield, with Andy B moving into the right back slot as I 
adjusted my plethora of strapping. Brooky saved the day when he 
managed to chest(!!!) a ball onto the post and them out. With that 
clearance City gelled for a few minutes and managed to take the lead 
through Benny, who turned nicely in the box and hit the bottom 
corner. I came back into the fray to replace Mark W, moved into the 
right-back berth and Brooky moved back onto the right side of 
midfield. The Owls definately repsonded and their quick attackers got 
more into the game, however they were well marshalled by the back 
four and especially Dan Rigby, he just wouldn't let anyone past! Jon 
strained his hamstring and had to go off to be replaced by Mark C 
who moved wide left, with Benny moving upfront. Brooky tired 
significantly and was replaced by Lee G wide on the right. With a 
rigid back four and a combatative midfield we managed to soak up much 
of the pressure. My thigh then decided to get all tight, so Dave B 
dropped back and Mark W resumed in midfield. The Owls still had 
chances to get back into the game and Richard saved the day on a 
couple of occassions. As time began to run out, the Owls had their 
best chance to equalise, the ball was flicked on from a throw, no-one 
picked up the attacker (the same player who had got us back on level 
terms) but unmarked from 6 yards out he could only scuff his shot 
into the grateful arms of Rich. That was the last chance, MCVITee 
has earned another hard fought victory!!

Martin Ford