16th March 2008

Aldridge Vehicles  9  Barton Stacey  3

Top of the table and unbeaten in a year Aldridge Vehicles, against fourth placed Barton Stacey.  Barry Purdue had twelve to pick from and the luxury of an unchanged back four from the previous weeks win, confining Guy Wilkinson to the bench. With Dan de Heaume missing Simon Schulze filled in alongside Luke Tiller in attack.  Martyn Doolin and Nick Battison returned in midfield alongside, Wayne Turpin and Alex Iddles. 

In driving rain and strong winds Barton Stacey fell four goals behind in a bizarre first half.  Aldridge Vehicles coped better with the slippy pitch and wind blown ball; the ref, with one eye on a possible hosepipe ban and sensing a need to conserve water, denying the players drinks from the sidelines during stoppages. 

Five minutes into the second half Aldridge scored twice to make it six. Two minutes later Martyn Doolin headed in a Gary Nowel corner to pull one back for Barton Stacey, Nowel firing narrowly wide from a free kick shortly afterwards as Barton attempted to raise their game.  Barton Stacey followed up with two more quick goals one from Simon Schulze after a driving run down the left flank, and one from Mickey Dewey into his own net to move the score onto 7-2.  With the conditions worsening the two teams continued to trade goals eventually finishing at 9-3.  Both sides relieved to get to the oasis and adult environment of a warm dry changing room, out of the inclement weather, and where those who wanted a drink could take a drink