Wimbledon & District Division 1: Kick-Off 2pm
vs
LONDON STUDY CENTRE (2) 2
Farrell
GK: Martyn Jones
RB: John Hodgson
LB: 'Damo' Freel
CB: Ross Hamilton
CB: Simon Farrell
RM: Nick Drzymalski
LM:
CM: Joel Hudson
CM: Mark Bhandal
F: Mike Murray
F: Saed Souissi
Subs:
Neil Dulake (RM)
This match would have a huge effect on how the League would end up, with London Study Centre needing three points to win the League in their final game and a point not being enough due to their inferior goal difference, alot was riding on this. Add the fact that Partizan were still periously close to the drop zone and in remembering the previous encounters stories this match meant alot to both sides! Study Centre had also paid for two linesmen to run the line instead of the usual 'club' linesmen which we normally encounter in this League.
The starting line-up was weakened by the absense of Dulake (an injury picked up in the Cup quarter-final win) and Meado (injured in works tournoi) in the centre of midfield, although Dulake had named himself on the bench if he was needed, Don in goal and Glenn away on a trip to Old Trafford to cheer on the Mighty Reds (wasted journey!!!), the defense still had a familiar look to it and was starting to become the backbone to build apon.
As the teams lined up for the beginning of the match the importance was clear due to the presence of the largest attendance of the season, 33! Partizan started brightly and the best of early exchanges.For twetnty minutes at the mighty Wandsworth were camped inside the top of the table sides half. On twenty three minutes disaster struck! Ross had charged forward in search of the vital breakthrough which the pressure demanded. He rose, salmon like, as usual, to power a headed deep into the LSC box. Suddenly and inexplainably Bhandy decided to join the action and there was a clash between two of the Partizans committed players. The result of this nasty incident was Bhandy leaving the field with a gaping head wound and Ross desperately searching for his balance and a missing front tooth! All reports indicate a full recovery from both. Bhandy has recieved stitches to his wound and a large Fang has been successfully removed from the poor chaps skull! Ross`s `hollywood smile` has been recreated by dental surgeon Dr Avhinda Singh, of Tooting, Mr Dulake,Gaffer, as promised the invoice is in the post!
This incident appeared to shake the usually battle hardened Wandsworth who slipped out of their stride for the remainder of the half. The result was two break away LSC strike before half time, A very unfortunate score line to be on the recieving end of in the circumstances and after such a good initial performance!
The break saw Partizan gather their heads and focus on the battle. They came out fighting at the resumption of play.All over the park from Souissi up front to the Ice man Nick at the back Wandsworth scraped for every ball. LSC evidently did not appreciate the efforts Wandsworth would go to in keeping there hands off of the coveted trophey. The result of such a tense, ferocious atmosphere was a number of bookings as the ref appeared to let the game spiral out of his limited control. 8 Men were booked and one young boy sent off.
Mysteriously LSC`s midfield general ,7, a large guy with what appeared to be a 10 stone head as he couldn`t lift his ample chin off his chest, began goading Rab C. A foolish thing to do in any circumstances, but even more so when Partizan are trailing by two goals. As one would expect the naive 7 was soon brought crashing to earth both physically and mentally as `Lurch` felt the full force of Damo`s Shock and Awe footballing armoury, Damo can you give us a translation as to what the torrent of Glaswegian abuse was you hurled at him whilst on the deck!
The game was in danger of petering out and the league being handed to LSC in amongst the physical commotion. That was however until the 85th minute, or maybe later? Partizan gained a free kick deep into LSC territory about thrity five yard from goal. Farrell sensing that there could still be something in the game for Wandsworth stepped up to fire a ferocious shot across the face of the ten man LSC wall and into the top corner of their goal with the keeper rendered useless!2-1. The final minutes were frantic as Partizan had the bit between there teeth, with the exception of Ross who was still looking for his at every break in play. The valiant gaffer had sacraficed his health by joining the cause as a late substitute, carryingh some viscious blisters on both feet!? for a little final push.
Mike was bundled over in the box in injury time this had to be possibly the most clear cut penalty since a Russian left back shot down an opposing striker with a hand gun clean through on goal in the late 70`s. However the bungling fool in the black waved play on and Partizans final chance was gone! The game ended soon after and the LSC long awaited celebrations began! Wandsworth extremely unlucky not to get anything from this brave performance.