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With top-scorer Neil unable to play due to injury, Manager Martin picked the following squad : Chris (GK), Craig (RB), Glenn (CB capt), Jason (CB), Geoff (LB), Matt (LM), Keith (CM), Mark (CM), Danni (RM), Steve (CF), Rich (CF), Kevin (sub), Andy B (sub), Gavin (sub).
In the drenched conditions, following Matt's heroic pre-match emptying of the goalmouth with a bucket to convince the ref that the pitch was OK to play on, Zeneca won the toss and elected to play with the wind and rain behind them for the first half. An early scrap saw Danni clear from the right back position, but the wind took the ball out to the left near the cornerpost for a throw. Zeneca threw, a flick, and a mad scramble in front of goal saw Geoff and Matt collide as they tried to clear the ball from goal, but Geoff made contact and the ball hit the crossbar and went in--Golden 1-0 down.
Following comments to the referee regards hospital-style tackles, the second half saw Golden more composed, and for the first ten minutes the ball stayed in the Zeneca half with Golden challenging and pressing forward. A loose ball near the penalty spot saw Steve lunge for the ball, managing to knock it toward Keith. Keith beat a defender, rounded the outstretched keeper and stuck the ball in the back of the net--BUT the linesman fraudulently raised his flag and hence Golden were denied the goal. During a rare excursion into the Golden half, a quick cross saw Zeneca forward make a slight contact with the ball, directing in to the back of the net for a 2-0 lead (see piccie below). Golden's heads dropped. Martin, keen to prevent injury, made the following substitutions--Kevin on for Matt, Andy B on for Danni, Gavin on for Steve. These changes, and the tired legs in these heavy and wet conditions, saw Zeneca increase their lead to 3-0 via a low shot from the right hand side of the pitch. Thus, despite several good saves from Chris, and the ten minute spell at the start of the second half, Martin conceded it had been a dismal day and a dismal result. Still….at least it wasn't a league game !
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