The Team: Back Row – James Bennett, Ian Shaw, Matt Warburton, Rick Lonsdale, Dan Marsden. Front Row – Danny Martin, Darren Wood (Captain), Danny Lennon.
Our company team was named the Brownstars. One of the more tame names entered this year, when you consider there was Knackersfield Town, Mark’s Fat Lads and PSV Hangover in the competition.
The first games were organised in three groups of four on a mini league basis, with the Brownstars drawn together with Knackersfield Town, Sphere UK Allstars and PSV Hangover. Our first game was against PSV Hangover.
It was clearly evident that PSV play together on a regular basis, and were the better side in the first half, but the plucky Brownstars managed to hang on to half time, with chances at a premium. We gathered some momentum in the second half and as the game neared the close, a draw would have been a fair result, but for a last minute winner from PSV. So we started with a 1-0 defeat, but the signs were looking good for the second game.
So on came the Sphere UK Allstars, who had defeated Knackersfield Town 4-0 in their first game, so we were in for a tough game. But we carried on where we left off in the first game, and managed to put them under enough pressure to force an own goal. So 1-0 and we were rolling. Shortly afterwards, a pass to Danny Martin was controlled instantly, he flicked it past the sole defender, and his pace took him clear one on one with the keeper. He took it wide of the diving keeper, and tucked it in from a wide angle. So 2-0 at half time and things were starting to look up. The second half was a more even affair, with Ian Shaw in goal pulling off some fine saves. The second half 8 minutes were soon up and we got our first 3 points on the board.
Last up were Knackersfield Town, who, after 2 straight defeats were pointless. So, on paper an easy game. Yep, you guessed it; the magic had disappeared, and it wasn’t long before we were 1-0 down. In all honesty it could have been more , but for some fine keeping by Ian in goal. It was a lacklustre display and one best forgotten.
With only three points and a zero goal difference, it was an anxious (and rather long) wait to see if we had qualified as one of the best third place runners up in the groups. Eventually, we were told that we were through, but we had to play Mark’s Fat Lads in the quarter final, who had won every game they’d played so far with some impressive displays.
The game didn’t start well, and with the long wait between games taking it’s toll, we soon went 2-0 down, to some very good moves by the opposition. The second half was a different story however. The muscles had loosened, and we began to play our best football of the tournament. A good move saw Matt Warburton slot in a goal to lessen the margin, and from there on in we were the better team, but despite all the pressure the opposition held out to secure their semi-final place 2-1. If only that half had been a few minutes longer, I’m sure we would have equalised.
