It was the last game of the summer break and there was only one game left to play. For a change we managed to play all the games before the start of the new season. So the Duffers Cup Final was on. Me against Hacket. Hacket got to pick first and it was even sides so Hacket landed on his size 15's from the off, but I must say that for a long time in the game the score line was quite even......though it was hard work.

I was in white and Paul played in yellow, sides were a bit skewed towards yellows in terms of speed; with Tom, Gary and Nick Evens as the front 3. They were attacking well but it was no match to whites defence, with Lorrie, Neil, myself and Mark playing well at the back. Unfortunately, out of nowhere, Ross shot from outside the box, the ball went towards Richies bottom left post. It hit the post.....Richie dived, and the ball hit Richies backside and rolled over the line. OWN GOAL!...But I'm certain Ross will stake his claim!

The second goal was almost instant. We kicked off, done some great pass-and-run football and Dave made it 1-1 with a simple tap in. Yellows then went 2-1 up with a cheeky goal from a throw-in but Dave O then put us back in the game with an amazing strike from the right wing that looked impossible. 

One thing was certain about this game....Tom was an absolute menace! He twisted and turned and was difficult to defend against. He scored again to make it 3-2, but the game was still very evenly matched. I was initially playing just ahead of Neil but decided to push forward. I went back to defend a corner but quickly the ball was met with a giant clearance by Richie, who sent the ball flying into the yellow half...it looked like it was going out for a throw in. Somehow I managed to get my foot up high and stop it going out for a throw in. I kept the ball in play and as it was coming down I turned and hit it on the volley and it crashed into Hackets bottom left corner. A one off wonder goal never to be repeated again! 3-3!

Richie had been in goal for more than half the game so I switched it around with Mark who was still nursing a slight injury. We became more attacking with Richie out, but we needed to make our move as we had always been on the back foot. Unfortunately this meant we took more risks and with Tom and Gary coming at you its hard to defend. We went 4-3 down and that was Toms 4th. 

Heads up- we kicked off...Richie noticed Ross off his line and scored from the half way line! GOOOAAAAAL! 4-4...

Another wonder goal! NO......"sorry we were changing keeper!" . NO GOAL! Fair enough, but it was truly planned and great foresight by Richie. Back to 4-3. Dave did take us back to 4-4 soon after that and was influential in keeping our heads up in the 15 minutes that followed....

The next 3 goals I would like to skim past as it let to a 7-4 defeat in what was a good close game for the first 45 minutes. All credit to Paul and his team for wearing us down We held out as long as we could but it was not meant to be. Tom was a credit to the yellow team, scoring 6 of the 7 goals. 

I would like to congratulate Paul on winning the match, which means I am the deserved member of the club this year for the duffers cup! I thoroughly enjoyed the game and will look forward to not going home empty handed at this years end of season do! The game bought a close to what has been a great season. Unfortunately we have seen many original members leave, but we have also had a great summer and took on 7 new members. The club will go on strong into the next generation of members I'm certain. Rest assured retired members, it is in good hands.