Jubilee Church Maidstone

The scene was set; a balmy English evening in Mote Park...

...the goals freshly constructed from gopher wood - 300 cubits by 50 of course! The crowd was gathering and there was a restless tension in the air. Who was going to rise to the occasion?

Blair and Matt Gilliland organised their old pros while Josh Pattison started envisioning the younger contenders with what might just be!

After an energetic attacking start with both teams sounding each other out, the Singles took the game forward and looked dangerous. However, it wasn’t long before the Marrieds’ more physical style of play hemmed the Singles in and they were camped in their penalty area. This drew a foul and the Marrieds had the chance to take the lead from the spot. Blair and his left cannon stood up, and Alan Dockree had no chance. Straight down the middle and through the (cling film) net to the shock of the spectators behind the goal who were left diving for cover!

The pressure was capitalised upon as the Marrieds used short neat passing to complement their considerable bulk, leaving the Singles pinned back. Goals two and three followed quickly from Blair with assists from Matt Gilliland who was confidently pulling the strings in the middle. The crossbar took a pounding in the process but was able to withstand given its biblical specification.

The Singles got more organised towards the end of the first half, pushing forward as a unit but the Marrieds beat the trap and got through for another chance at goal. However, brave Dockree rushed out to save, taking a blow to the head for his trouble. Blair added a fourth before half-time which signalled a need for oranges and some regrouping.

The second half saw a much more even affair as the Marrieds’ running became more “efficient” and the Singles grabbed a couple of goals, including a spectacular left foot curler into the top corner by super sub Dion “DK” Kelly. This buoyed the lads as the tireless Andrei Ciausu led the charge up front and was even denied a clear penalty when he was brought down by Terlecki. As the clock wound down the Marrieds struck five times with some cracking goals from Ian Rich and Steve Graham who looked like a Brazilian as he scored from near the corner flag!

All in all both teams did very well with some great passing and some fine finishing. With more than £100 and counting towards the mission to Australia next Feb it was well worth the effort, sore legs and numerous injuries.

Thanks to all the supporters for their continued dancing and singing which made the atmosphere one to rival any world cup final!