A belated report

The build up to this match could not have gone any worse. Days before the match we were informed that the 13^th division, which we had dominated from start to finish was to be divided up into a 5-5-4 split, with top five teams playing each other once to decide an overall champion. All the hard work that had been expended in compiling an unbeaten 11 win, two draw, 35 point record and a goal difference of +88 was to be for nothing as all points and goals were reset to zero. Following this news was the draw which had the BNU Public Service sent out to the mystical valley of Stoke to clash with probably the strongest opposition of the first round, the Sunshine. Despite a first round win 4-0 against the Sunshine, it was unanimously agreed that this would be one of our toughest games. The Sunshine were young, fast, aggressive and reasonable footballers, and the BNU were considerably depleted. A call by Nick the Greek on the morning of the match announcing his unavailability meant that only 11 Servants took the long trek out to Upper Hutt.

The minute by minute (or roughly) report of the match between BNU public Service and the Stokes Valley Sunshine played at Delaney Park in Stokes Valley on Saturday 21^st of July. (Format nicked from The Guardian)

Team: 4-4-2

Gimli, Angry Dom, Young Jules, Monty, Mortgage, AJ, BC, Donnie, Aussie Dan, The Rev. PJ Houlding, Jarrod Calvin Clyne.

Absent: MattNich, Emu, Johnny B. Good, Nick the Greek, Ben Dover, Sam I am.

An injury to Gimli meant he was handed the hallowed number 1 jersey by Angry Dom, who bounded enthusiastically out to right back.

1: Only 11 Servants turned up for the match, 4 of those less than a minute before kick off.

2: Aussie Dan misses a pass.

6: The Rev. PJ Houlding is unable to score on a break away. The Rev. PJ Houlding expected the keeper to come out from the goal to shut down his shot on goal, instead the keeper remains rooted to the spot, a classic tactic, and The Rev. PJ Houlding, completely confused, shoots straight at him.

8: Aussie Dan misses a tackle.

15: Monty went for a run.

25: GOAL: the bastards scored one against us. The first time in 13 matches that the BNU have been behind on the scoreboard. A chip ahead had all the defenders racing back to cover the threat. The Sunshine secured the ball at the top of the box and sent the ball out to an unmarked left midfield who drove in an absolute pearler from about 20 yards. Fairly unstoppable for poor old Gimli.

30: Aussie Dan is nowhere to be found in a BNU counter attack down the left side.

35: A nice corner is pushed just over the Sunshine cross bar by BC.

40: Aussie Dan misses yet another tackle.

45: The BNU trudge angrily off the field. Team talks abound.

46: Rejuvenated BNU attack

55: Angry Dom goes haring off down the right, Donnie puts in a beautifully weighted lob that Angry Dom angles into the path of Jarrod Calvin Clyne who dribbles to the left of the keeper and puts away the equalizer.

65: Aussie Dan goes walkabout.

70: Donnie puts in a sublime through ball for The Rev. PJ Houlding to run on to. This time expecting complete inaction by the goal keeper The Rev is able to guide home the goal that gives the BNU Public Service a lead they will not relinquish.

85: Aussie Dan turns up, claiming an extended lapse into dreamtime he blames entirely on the booze he had the night before. The excuse is accepted by the team.

90: Game over. 2-1. Sweet.

Man of the Match: Toss-up between Young Jules and BC. Awarded to both.