FC Jiggle 0 Alltraders 1

Jiggle's hopes of kicking off Summer Fives 2004 with a win were thwarted as a thirteenth minute spot-kick proved enough to give Alltraders victory.

As have been the previous four encounters with Alltraders this was a tight and keenly contested match. Like last Summer however it was Alltraders, in a game of few chances who put away the one that mattered.

The strength of League A had already been demonstrated by Caledonian's defeat to TSC Rangers before Jiggle and Alltraders took to the pitch at 7.30. Jiggle's preparations for the Summer Fives opener had gone without a hitch as the current five man squad came safely through Wednesday's final warm-up game against Fives 5 and lined up as per the New Year, David Leake partnering Stu MacPherson at the back, Dave Carling and Sam Cohen leading from the front. With uni now winding down Chris Laker and Paul Eagle will join the squad in the next few weeks as will proposed new signing former CPI player Phil Williamson. Andy Lee Chong's serious leg injury means he is unlikely to feature for at least the opening two months, while Nick Rapley will swap the sultry sun of the Leisure Centre for the cold and wet of Portugal and Euro 2004.

Cheered on by a growing band of support Jiggle started in promising fashion enjoying marginally the better of the opening exchanges. Stu had an early chance as he latched onto a neat pass to fire into the side netting. The same player was then at the heart of Jiggle's best opening of the half robbing Nick Hawtin on half-way and feeding in Sam whose shot fizzed wide of the Alltraders goal. At the other end Phil Laker had his hands warmed for the first time getting down swiftly to smother Andy Westerman's first strike of the evening.

The game began to settle into a pattern, Alltraders holding the possession advantage while Jiggle closed the space and hit on the counter. Still it was cagey and looked like it would take a mistake or moment of individual quality to break the stalemate.

It was Alltraders who came the closest as the half wore on and Phil Laker had to be at his best to tip over a stinging drive from Andy Westerman in the sixth minute. Soon after Ian Britton found inviting space down the Alltraders right but missed the target on the near side. Nick Hawtin found a similar position on the left but his left-foot shot flew wide of the mark.

The second period began as cageily as the first had ended until the defining moment three minutes into the half. Alltraders won a throw-in decision on the left side. The resulting throw-in was hooked clear by David Leake only for the referee to adjudge the Jiggle defender inside the box. Ian Britton stepped up and found the top corner to put Alltraders in front. Several people watching said afterwards it may have been a Jiggle throw but that we'll never know.

Jiggle began to push forward in search of an equaliser and were so nearly gifted one as Nick Hawtin's short throw put Dave Carling in on goal, only for Dave to flash his shot agonisingly over. From a distance it seemed very close to inside the area but the ref appeared to think not and a great chance had passed by.

Jiggle enjoyed better possession in the closing minutes but Alltraders defence remained well organised and were able to repel most of the danger and prevent Jiggle picking up the head of steam required. Sam had the best of the opportunities that were created and capitalised on a 50-50 well won by Dave Carling to bring the first real save out of Leigham Bennett with two minutes left.

The final whistle confirmed an opening day reverse by a goal to nil for the third Summer Fives out of four. In tight games like these it often comes down to one moment and tonight Alltraders made their key moment count while Jiggle's came to nothing. Still, onwards and upwards and this reverse will be but a distant memory if the side can bounce back over the next couple of weeks against two more of the fancied sides, Horley Town Casuals and divisional favourites Samba Stars. Sandwiched in between will be the first crack of summer at day tournament glory at the Anglian Cup in Burgess Hill a week on Saturday. A great summer of football has only just begun...

Team: Phil Laker, David Leake, Stuart MacPherson, Dave Carling, Sam Cohen.