Joe 'Messi's' with Parkhurst (They couldn't lock up the Crook)

Strange game today and at half time, unbelievably, we were 2-1 down conceding two really bad goals.

Although the result was never really in doubt manager Richard was inconsolable at the break, even accusing his team of insubordination although in truth it was just a blip and over-confidence which was rectified in the second half.

Our team today were without Lee Wilton, Bobby McGuane, Tom Smith and Jason Kelly, but such is the strength of the squad we still fielded a team that could, and should, have scored way over double figures. We started the game playing 4-4-2 with Martin Ray in goal. In front of him were Billy Alton, Ricky Bolt, Jack Roberts and Jack Doherty. Midfield we had Tom Mayfield, Tony Franklin, skipper Tom Rolt and Troy Williams, whilst up front was the pairing of Robb Grogan and Joe Crook.

We started off like the preverbial train, scoring in the first minute with Troy stooping to head in after Joe chipped over the keeper. We then proceeded to create and miss several clear cut chances. As so often this season our opposing teams bring goal keepers that are their best players and this one at times was quite magnificent.

The team then had ten minutes of madness down the right hand side when we were caught pushing too many men forward and hence Richards anger at the interval. He told them that unless they listened and learned from him we were in danger of throwing away all our good work of this season. As always they listened and we watched a second period of Barcelona-ish possession, helped by the 15 minute cameo from Aaron Scott who came on at half time but suffered a leg injury and had to leave the pitch after promising to run riot. We equalised ten minutes in after great work from Joe, and Tony lashed the ball home. This was the time for Brett Northover and Lucas Worrell to come on. We went three at the back and let man of the match Joe loose.

He scored four times in twenty minutes with some magnificent finishing, the first and last assisted by Troy and one other by the classy Topps, the fourth a messi like dribble through the entire defence (still a way to go Joe, the other fella scored five last week!). This haul pushed Joe two ahead of both Troy and Rob in the race for top scorer and we've now scored sixty in our sixteen games and are sitting pretty in third.

Credit must also go to our fabulous midfield today Tony INAVESTA and Topps CHAVI, Tom FABRIGAS FITTER and Troy PEDRO the fisherman.

Final Score

Long lane 6 - 1 Parkhurst