Stanley Lions 2 V 4 Station FC

WHAT GREAT WEATHER TO PLAY OUT OUR LAST GAME OF THE SEASON!!!

Before the game we knew it was out of our hands, and depending on results the best outcome would be for us to come 2nd in the League. We knew tho we had to take all 3 points against Stanley Lions. We played these on the 1st game of the season and beat them in a thriller 8 – 6.

Before the game Taxi made the decision to put Barry on the bench. This was a luxury to even have a sub after playing the last 2 games with bear 11. We were lucky because after just 20 minutes Darren pulled a hamstring and had to go off.

From the beginning we could see that Stanley Lions weren’t a decent football team. All they wanted to do is FIGHT, the ref should have sent their centre midfielder off within 15minutes. He got booked for a rash tackle on Stocky then 2 minutes later he could of broken Barry’s leg. To your disbelief the Ref booked Stocky for his protests. But we just got on with your game and played good football.

Stanley got 2 lucky goals in quick concession that left us shell shocked. Their 1st was off a slack free-kick out from our defence, which they gathered in and broke on the counter attack. Their winger crossed from the ball from the left and their striker just swung his foot at it. The ball skimmed off his shin pad and into the bottom left corner. Their 2nd goal came within minutes of the 1st and from a big punt up the pitch from their keeper. Bradley let the ball bounce instead of heading, and then got into a tangle JUST inside the box with their striker. It wasn’t the Ref who gave the penalty it was the lines-man. But to be fair I was alongside them and it was a clear penalty.

This gave us the kick we needed and then started to pass the ball around to the dismay of Stanley Lions. We got ourselves on the score sheet from a 6 yard poacher’s header from Rooney. Credit for the goal has to go to Terry who composed himself well, looked up and picked him out with a peach of a cross.

HALF TIME

We knew at half time that we were losing 2 -1 but in the 2nd half we had the wind behind us and was shooting down hill. Until you play on that pitch you wouldn’t know how steep the hill actually is!!

The 2nd half kicked off with us in total command. Little Ben in goal was nothing but a spectator, and was just basking in the Sunday morning sun for the most of the half.

Stocky and Barry dictated where the ball went for most of the half, the opposition couldn’t even get close to them.

We got our equaliser through Ben T, the assist went this time to the unusual source of Rooney. Rooney latched onto a big punt up from Little Ben, looked up and swung in an inch perfect cross. All Ben T had to do is volley home from a yard out at the back stick. This is exactly why Taxi has used these 2 up front all season as his 1st choice!!

At 2 -2 the only team who was going to score was us. After numerous corners and long throws into the box it was only going to be a matter of time before we took a deserved lead!

After a decent penalty claim on Rooney we got awarded one within 30 seconds. Stocky flicked the ball over the last man for Ben T to sprint onto, only for him to get clattered by a covering defender. Up stepped Rooney to bring his tally up to 25 goals for a brilliant season!!

It became an easy game then, we simply just passed Stanley off the pitch. If they had put as much effort into football as they did arguing and fighting, I’m sure it could have become a decent spectacle.

Ben T made it “Game, Set and Match” with a stunning lob from just outside the 18 yard box. Again as it has been a lot this season the assist was from Stocky whose vision is “second to none”. Exactly the same ball as the penalty award but this time Ben T converted!!

What a great way to finish the season!!! 4 – 2 and should have been more!

FORGOT!! i had a cracking header that rebounded off the crossbar in the 2nd half!! NOT BAD FOR ME SINCE THAT IS THE NEAREST IVE COME TO A GOAL IN 5 SEASONS!!

The awards were then given out at a BBQ around Taxi’s house.

PLAYERS PLAYER = ROONEY

TOP GOALSCORER = ROONEY

TOP GOALSCORER MET DIV 2 = ROONEY with 25 goals in 22 appearances

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER = DARREN BARNES

And

MANAGERS PLAYER = BEN THOMPSON