On a barmy night in Ellesmere Port, the Vauxhall pitch seemed more like the Maracana, apart from the stands, and the crowds of course, oh and the ball running off onto someone else's pitch, and the quality of the football. Alright it was hot in Ellesmere Port and it is hot in Rio, and that's where the similarity ends.

Anyway I digress. Captain's cup 1st

In white: Nick, Paul, Neil, Gary, Noel, Mark, Blake, Laurie and Chris
In Yellow: Ben, Ali, Andy E, Andy H, Ken, Carl, Dave, Bob, Terry

A free flowing start with as most of the outfield players enjoying the atmospheric conditions. Whites back 3 of Noel, Paul and Neil were not in a mood to offer chances to the opposition. In mid field Laurie, Mark and Chris worked hard to run down the opposition. Gary and Blake up front supported by the mid field looking threatening.

The dead lock was broken after about 20 mins by Blake as a well struck shot found its target. A few minutes later the lead was doubled by an excellent effort from Gary. Both goals coming from excellent build up play. The whites 2-0 up by half time(ish). The 2nd cagey affair as Ben's boys started to gain more of the ball and pressurise the Doc's defences. With about 20 minutes left the pressure finally yielded results through an Andy E's long range special which was deflected by Paul onto the head of Noel and from there into the goal. 2-1 to the whites.

But for Kenny heroic efforts, whites could have scored more as the game opened up towards the end and chances came. As the final whistle went there was a sigh of relief from whites and the inevitable pretence that it was always under control. An enjoyable game played in Latin sunshine, and Nick through to the next round. Unlucky Ben.

Nick