Lads Destroy Desperate Deeping!

Longueville Lads 6 Deeping Dickheads 0

10th April 2001: Kick off 1:00pm

A big gap between the teams - the losing team contemplate their crushing defeat

Against unfamiliar opponents, the Longueville Lads claimed another victory in their quest for world football domination. The Longueville Lads were without star centre-back-cum-striker Silv and had to draft in two loan players for the match, Ben and Matt. In terms of the starting line-up, in the Lad’s goal was the solid Wrighty, the back three consisted of the rejuvenated Jez, the reliable Andy and new signing (“I’m so unfit”) Matt. In midfield was the creative Jeps and the other new signing, lively Ben, with Phil Brown Sr taking his usual place up-front.

The first half was largely uneventful. This was mainly due to the poor pitch and naff weather conditions. The Longueville Lads only had three real chances in the first half, both Jeps and Andy fired high and wide from similar positions just outside the box and the other chance fell again to Jeps who couldn’t quite poke home a through-ball from Phil. At the other end both Andy and Jez made many crucial tackles to stop the Deeping strikers Nick and Scab and anything that did get past the defence was efficiently dealt with by Wrighty who made three good saves to keep the score at nil, nil.

Little action - the pitch after the first half

The switch around at half time was a welcome change for the Longueville Lads as they opened the scoring only minutes into the second half. It was Phil who received the ball from Jeps then played a one-two with Ben before shooting past the helpless keeper. Moments later, Matt slipped in Phil who netted to score his and the lad’s second. It was then the turn of Ben to get on the score sheet finishing from close range after a rebound from the keeper. At 3-0 up, the Lads were cruising so Matt who was nearly coughing up blood at half-time because of his lack of fitness replaced Wrighty in the Longueville goal, and after winning a tackle in the middle of the park, Wrighty ran through to score coolly past the keeper. Wrighty then again ran clear and his shot, which was on target, was touched in by Ben who claimed his second on his debut.

Only a couple of chances fell to Deeping but the back line was to solid and content on keeping a clean sheet, not allowing anyone through. The main threat was when they hit the left-hand upright but it bounced out and fell to Nick (Del Piero) who fell over again and so the danger was averted. Then in the dying minutes Phil claimed his third by putting another shot past the keeper following a run up the pitch from Jez, and in doing so picked up his first hat-trick in the famous red Longueville Lads shirt.

A job well done - Wrighty and Andy show contrasting emotions, while loan-signing Matt departs leaving the opposition behind

Team:

Adam Wright: Kept a clean sheet and scored a good goal, 8

Jeremy Burton: Many good challenges and good going forward too, 8

Andy Gilbert: Solid at the back and didn’t put a foot wrong. Leads well, 8

Matt: When he was on the pitch did well but needs fitness training, 7

Ben: Good lively debut capped with two goals, 8

Darren Jepson: Passed well and worked hard all game. Controlled midfield, 8

Phil Brown Sr: Scored another hat-trick. What can we say? Goal machine, 9

Five goals between them - the Lads' attack discuss their performance