at Saltney Ferry 28th January 2001

This was never going to be easy. A side that beat us 7 (seven) - 0 in the return leg, chock full of West Cheshire League players, who have started their own team off to; a) get up throught the division as soon as possible to test themselves in Secton A, or b) go glory hunting and medal grabbing by playing in Sections C and D for a couple of years*.

(*delete as applicable, depends on who you talk to!).

With the enforced absence of Gareth Edwards and Neil Howell, Brazier was forced into pressurising new signing Dave 'Meller' Melson into ducking out of a family christening, thus incurring the wrath of her indoors, to play. Dave was soon to wish he had settled for the easy life option. We got battered.

With ageing Christleton 'legend' Geraint Roberts directing operations from just in front of the back four, the Welsh side opened a large can of whoop-ass on the ISA back four in the first half. A momentary lapse of concentration by John Hocking led to the number seven firing past Green in the opening five minutes. This was quickly followed by Green misjudging the bounce of the ball in front of him, Tim Flowers like, to gift the Ferry another one. Green, who must be in contention for Player of the Year this season, was having one of those days. It was not going to get better.

Another couple of goals, caused by one or two errors at the back, left the half time score 4-0 to the Ferry. At half time the talk was of the team not letting each other down, and of working hard for each other. To be fair, the lads did exactly that. The workrate improved and the damage limitation exercise was going well. Then 'Elm Street' Green dived over a long distance shot, 5-0! There was plenty of time for Tom Kennedy, on for the out of sorts Steve Sandbach at half time, to fire wide following Howell's flicking on (with his hand?) Stuart Musgrave's cross, and for Alun Griffith to impress, on for the last half hour for Paul Brazier. That was until Alun got the ball in his nads. Funny stuff!

The impressive Roberts headed Saltney's sixth from a corner with twenty five minutes to go, and the lads then managed to hold the Welsh side to one or two longer range efforts, although the game was well and truly over by that point. Although we were beaten 6-0, a mention of honour for man of the match Kev Thomas, and for right back Steve Painter. Both had good games against very good quality opponents; and for the people involved with Saltney Ferry, who were excellent hosts and made a great stew for after the match. A mention of dishonour for the pitch though, which looked like a cross between the Millenium Stadium and the Talacre Beach Car Park. And isn't the actual place Saltney Ferry just that little bit sinister...?