Andy Eyres (whites) vs Mark Austin (Yellows)

Before we get into the detail, prize for the worst goalie goes to me!

Low numbers for the game, with Dave Owen making the journey back from Sheffield on a freezing Wednesday evening.

Yellows started brightly, and were on the front foot from the off, now I’ve never claimed to be good in goal, and aptly demonstrated my goalie skills by letting in the yellows first attack, as I was unable to lift my foot off the floor to stop a lame effort from Dave nestle in the net. Some 5 minutes later, Paul got on the scoresheet to make it 2-0 with barely 10 minutes played. After some good work by Richie in the middle, teed up Paul Hackett of all people to rifle in a shot from outside the box. Again, sublime skills in goal allowed him to nutmeg me, and he joyfully ran off screaming like a little girl!

A shout from Jay up top along the line of "f**k sake Andy, you are sh*te" was seemingly what we (and I) needed, as we slowly started to get back into the game.

It was going to be an uphill battle thanks to me, gifting the yellows a 2 goal start, but my team did me proud. We started to create some chances, but Jonny seemed to be everywhere at one point, blocking shots, making tackles and starting the attacks. Jay was soon on the scoresheet however, to get us back in the game - Mark Austin did his best impression of me in goal, and fumbled a shot into the path of Jay, who finished from a yard out – no he didn’t miss this one :D and although the yellows continued to attack, I did manage to make a few saves (shock horror!) now being able to lift my feet off the floor and kept the score respectable. Dave must have had 5 more chances, with Richie politely informing him he should have stayed in Sheffield :D

The snow started falling, wind blowing in our faces, but this galvanised the whites...

We were soon back at 2-2 with a good finish from Gary W, after some neat footwork to create some space. After around 40 minutes in goal.

I knew I needed to push for the win, so I swapped with Brian...less than a minute later, my first touch was a header into my own net – so a correction needed on the website – Richie didn’t score! Albeit I didn’t know much about this one, as Brian’s fingertips diverted the ball onto my head and I helplessly watched it float into the net.

3-2 to the yellows, and I had contributed significantly to all their goals! :( I only had myself to blame...

Our second equaliser soon followed though, with a scrambled effort from Jay from close range, following a dubious claim for handball. We had done our best to get back in the game, and in honesty were now creating the better chances, and keeping the ball a little better.

A late attack from the yellows followed with a wild shot from Richie, with the attempt falling at my feet – now I’m sure if I was in goal I would have missed it completely and lost 4-3, but now outfield, I did control the ball, and released Gary W in a foot race with the last man (think it was Paul) carrying the ball half the length of the pitch, Jay next to him in acres of space, screaming for the pass...Gary ignored him, created an angle to slot past mark for a 4-3 win on the night.

I was a relieved man at the end, but seemingly not as delighted as Neil, having now put together a two game winning streak – his best of the season :D

Honours even in terms of overall 2 leg scores – so a penalty shootout involving two dodgy keepers could have gone on all night, but we kept it brief, with Mark missing his 4th pen. Unlucky on the night, a close game.

MOM: there were a few contenders – Jonny, Paul, Gary W, but it goes to Jay, his encouragement ;), never giving up, like a battering ram at times!