Benders Fire Blanks Against Electric Lads!
Longueville Lads 4 Botolph Benders 0
3rd October 2000: Kick off 4:30pm
The Longueville Lads again had changes for their fourth encounter against the Botolph Benders. Jeps returned to the middle of the park and Andy also returned to the Lad's team, but due to a toe injury, played in goal. Silv and Wrighty continued at the back with Jacques on the left. New controversial signing Daniel Bircham started on the right, with Big Phil up front. The Lads named Phil Jr and another young star Jesse on the bench. Jez was away with the Durham University team and Ashley Cope, a star of the last match for the Longueville Lads, had been transferred to the Benders for a nominal fee.
With the Longueville Lads fielding a very strong side they were expected to bounce back after a crushing defeat in the last match against the Benders. Bounce back they did, as with just three minutes on the watch, Jacques won a battle in the middle and the ball squirmed to Phil who fired home to startle the Benders. On the tenth minute mark, Bircham picked up the ball from the left-hand side and squared it to the advancing Silv whose shot rocketed past Quinny from all of twenty yards. Wrighty then had an effort saved by Quinny in the Benders goal, after he latched onto a precise pass from Jeps. Jeps was then involved in the third goal of the first half; he picked up the ball from Silv at the back, then floated a delightful ball to the impressive Bircham whose pin-point cross picked out Phil, who netted for the second time inside the opening twenty minutes. Silv and Wrighty were often slightly exposed at the back but coped well with the aid of their trusty keeper.
Phil Jr replaced Bircham at half time and Jesse came on for Jacques. At 3-0 down, the Benders needed an early goal and straight from kick-off they went on the offensive. Gandy squandered the Benders' best chance of the match in the opening two minutes of the second half, striking the outside of the post from eight yards out, although Andy claimed to have it covered. Then three corners in quick succession gave the Longueville Lads something to think about as, up until then, they had been cruising.
Things changed soon however, as half time sub Phil Jr then pounced onto a through ball by Jeps who then megged the keeper from five yards out. Jeps rattled the crossbar and Phil missed the rebound. At this stage, Phil Jr, who had run about up-front with little support, took a breather, being replaced by Bircham who instantly hit the post with a low drive. Then Phil, with another chance to complete his hat-trick, fired wide for a second time. Wrighty then went close to putting the ball into his own net when he attempted to head a ball clear, with it going dangerously close to Andy's left-hand upright; the resulting corner was disappointing.
With five minutes to go, temperatures began to rise as the frustrated Benders went in search of a consolation goal. Bircham replaced Andy in goal and Jacques returned to the field. Jesse and Jacques were involved in the first instance when Darby mistimed a tackle and went in hard on both Jesse and Jacques, with no resulting free kick, the ball ending up at the feet of Neal. He was starting to dribble the ball away, when Jeps thundered in with a strong tackle, which Neal wasn't happy with, who then stamped on Jeps. A face-pushing contest then evolved, with many threats being made. After the pair had been calmed down the game continued at a feisty level.
Team:
Andy Gilbert: Not a lot to do, but coped well under pressure, 8
Adam Wright: Once again solid at the back, few errors, 8
James Gilbert: Clean sheet proved good display, many important challenges, 8
Jack Tiley: Good passing vision, good work rate, never stopped running, 7
Darren Jepson: A welcomed return, passing gives team a new dimension, 8
Daniel Bircham: Set up two goals, good team spirit, 8
Phil Brown Sr: Two well taken goals, should have scored more, never tired, 8
Subs:
Phil Brown Jr: Scored, got knackered, came off, 7, on for Bircham
Jesse: Started the brawl by being fouled, new improved player, 6, on for someone
