20-3-05 Thackley Sports V Farmers -District cup .1/4 final.

Team:Nurthen,Holtom,Robinson,Maude,Rhodes,Castell,Dyson,A.Midgley,Chell,

Clarke,Lumley.Subs :Wilde,Dunn.S.Midgley

We had only ever reached this stage of the Sunday Cup competition, and on that day we were pumped 8-1, it was to be hoped it didn’t happen again. With the team not in the best shape after a "team bonding" exercise the night before it was essential that we dug in to try and make the semis for the first time in the clubs history.

The team had a couple of changes, with Mark Robinson deputising for Andy Christie, and Craig Lumley returning up front, with Mick Dunn, who was recovering from his back injury on the bench.

It was evident from the opening minutes that Farmers were going to give us a game, as they attacked several times and came close. Eventually we got to grips with the opposition and started to dominate the game, once again our finishing at the crucial moments let us down, but eventually a through ball by Andy Midgley put Paul Clarke through to round the goalie and silence the farmers faithful.

We ended the first half in the lead, but only by 1-0, when in truth it should have been 3 or 4, however when the whistle went for the second half the same continued with Sports dominating the game. Then against the run of play the farmers broke and scored much to the delight of the fans.

This put some fire in the bellies of the Farmers team, but they only grasped the game for 5 mins, and then normal service resumed, and within 10 mins the sports had scored again, a mix up in the farmers box led to Paul Clarke notching his second of the game. 2-1

With 20 mins left there was always a risk that the farmers would score, and some wonder saves by arguably the best goalkeeper in our league, kept the sports in front, and with the clock running down, some good approach play led to a cross come shot from Mick Dunn which rebounded off a Farmers defender to ended up in the back of the net. 3-1

And that was how it stayed, a victory which sends us into the unknown with regards to this competition, were in one final, and now one game away from another, so all in all the season is looking promising at this stage.

The Sports looked comfortable all morning, with the midfield being the best area of play, with Andrew Midgley performing to his usual consistent level. But not forgetting some sheer brilliance from Mark Nurthen, which kept the team in the tie, and his team mates should be shaking his hand, especially some individuals.

But MOM this week was given by the referee, and it should who had the least to drink on Saturday……Lewis Dyson…pulled all the strings

MOM: Lewis Dyson.