Sports 2009/10

A Photo Finish!

Hey, hey Sports fans… A downturn in Super Sports fortunes has coincided with me losing interest in writing match reports. The more cynical of you would suggest that I only write match reports when we win, truth be told I only write match reports when I have the motivation to do so.

Let’s face it, Super Sports haven’t had much to write about since getting beat by CUP. 2009 fizzled out somewhat. A sound thrashing at the hands of Dullingham who, unless something biblical happens, should walk away with the 2A title and a disappointing draw with Great Jism.

2010 started brightly though with a sound first half performance against Longstanton in the cup, strong opposition from the top of 1B. We did more than enough and were unlucky to go in at half time level. The second half was a different matter entirely and the attitude of some of the players was shocking, we ended up getting thumped 6-1.

Interest waned somewhat as the boys travelled to Saffron Walden Town Reserves for another cup game, we were down to the bare bones but the attitude of the players that were there was immense. The lads put in a strong performance for the full 90 minutes and were unfortunate to leave Essex with nothing, going down 2-1. All of a sudden I, amongst others, were filled with renewed vigour.

The performance obviously got back to other players and we had a stronger side as Aston Villa visited Capital Park, or at least that’s what Darcy thought… Turned out to be Ashdon Villa. Super Sports were well and truly robbed as Ashdon Villa scored their one and only chance of the game. Super Sports had a greater share of possession and chances, hitting the woodwork on 3 ocassions but it wasn’t to be their day. The result was made even more significant by an injury to Tony Beadle. Dislocated fingers and chipped bones. Tidy.

5 subs the following week, people were starting to get a taste for the game again. A 3-3 draw with Bassingbourn followed. Debutant Tom Rust had a game to forget between the sticks gifting Bassingbourn 2 of their 3 goals. Sports found themselves 3-1 down at half-time but dug in and were unfortunate not to take all 3 points after a great second half performance.

Then this week, Newmarket Town A called at Capital Park. Super Sports lined up as follows:

HOLT

FAVARULO    RICH ©                  SAUNDERS   RUMBLES

DARCY          SHEEPHEAD        FERGIE         TRAYNIER

CHARLIE               JAS

Holty pulled off a worldy within the first minute preventing Newmarket’s top-scorer from opening his account for the day. The same player hit the post for Newmarket whilst Rumbles cleared 2 off of his own goal-line. Nightingale almost put through his own net following a mix-up with Saunders. Newmarket didn’t have it all their own way, Charlie had a goal disallowed for offside, he’s still adamant (not the singer) that he was well onside. Unfortunately we just have to accept that there are some dishonest people out there. Jas also had a chance, created by Charlie, which he snatched narrowly wide.

Super Sports went off at half time being held 0-0 but knew that the effort of individual players was enough to see them through. They just needed that little bit of DJ Luck, the ball to bounce their way and the referee to use some common sense.

Within minutes of the re-start Super Sports were behind. Saunders was caught underneath a long ball, as he turned he slipped over allowing the centre forward to advance on Holty one-on-one. The lad tucked the ball to the side of Holty and into the Super Sports net.

Sports were right back on the horse though, pardon the pun, and were soon back in it courtesy of Jas Hien following good work from Charlie. Charlie tells me that he had another goal disallowed for offside although I don’t remember it. Super Sports continued to huff and puff but couldn’t quite blow Newmarket’s house down. Newmarket defended the edge of their box well and restricted Sports to long-range efforts. Up the other end, Nightingale pulled off a vital block before, and this is according to the referee, deflecting the follow-up wide for a corner. The first corner was swung in and headed behind by a Super Sports defender, the second corner found the Newmarket centre-half unmarked and he planted a header between Rumbles and Holt on the Super Sports goal-line. Boo! The only blot on an otherwise faultless performance from Sheephead.

Super Sports went straight back at Newmarket and applied the pressure. All of the energy finally paid off as, from a Super Sports corner, Charlie was bundled over by the Newmarket ‘keeper and 2 defenders. PENALTY! Charlie ran 457 yards to get the ball after a Newmarket player threw his toys out of the pram. Surely the 457 yards would have given Charlie chance to compose himself…. SMASH…. TWANG…. The ball thumped against the bar and rebounded to Darcy. Darcy controlled the ball majestically before tucking under the Newmarket ‘keeper to even the scores. The Newmarket ‘keeper was ranting and raving about something, I’m not sure what, but soon enough, the men in white coats came to take him away.

The game ended soon after and yet another draw but, more importantly, another good performance and another defeat avoided. Super Sports are slowly becoming the draw specialists of 2A. There were some excellent performances from Fergie-licious and his older, fatter twin, Sheephead. Darcy and Nick were class down the right-hand side and it was great to have Rumbles back in the starting XI. Holty pulled off a vital save in the first minute but was largely un-troubled afterwards. Charlie had another infectious performance and will be sorely missed when he serves his one-match ban next week.

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