QUICHE TOPPLE LEAGUE LEADERS

<p>The Quiche met league leaders Western Springs Stingers on Saturday, and emerged with a well-earned 4-2 victory.<br />The visitors provided the referee for the first half, and he proceeded to come up with a series of less-than-impartial decisions, several verging on the ludicrous. Despite his best efforts, however, Quiche managed to reach half-time with a 3-0 lead, thanks to two opportunistic strikes from Jono2, and a curler from David which he was brazen enough to claim was a shot but which 95% of those present were convinced was meant to be a cross.<br />As could have been forecast, Western Springs came out firing on all cylinders after the break, but the Quiche defence, playing as well as they have done all season, were up to the task. As the minutes ticked by and the visitors failed to break through, they became more and more frustrated, and resorted to a succession of niggling, petulant fouls, both on and off the ball. At one point Neil, who had thankfully taken over the refereeing duties at half-time, had to physically separate members of both teams after a blatant off-the-ball incident.<br />In the event, another well-taken goal from Jono2 put the result beyond doubt, and the Quiche ran out worthy winners.<br />The win was even more satisfying given that Quiche, for a number of reasons, had only the basic 11 players available for most of the game.<br />Man of the Match was Jono2 for his match-winning hat-trick, although every player in the Quiche side gave 100% plus at all times, with Tom, Phil and Alex deserving special mention.<br />The physicality of the game was clearly obvious during the after-match celebrations, with every Quiche player sporting cuts and bruises. Quick Chris claimed bragging rights, however, with a head wound resulting from being virtually deposited in the grandstand following a scything knee-high tackle early on.<br />Next week's game is scheduled for Friday evening, against Ellerslie - hopefully more than 11 players will be available !<br />GO THE QUICHE !!!!!