Carpet Munchers FC 10 Blackburn Deaf 4

Carpet Munchers FC(3)10 [Iain Wilson 2, Stephen Woods 2, Fraz 2, Andy Dignan 2, Lee Hopkinson, Fran Dignan] Blackburn Deaf (1)4

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Andrew Dignan, Lee Hopkinson, Stephen Woods, Richard Elliott, Francis Dignan, Fraz

This wasn’t an enjoyable encounter, against a team who challenged every decision and didn’t appear to realise that even five-a-side football inevitably results in some contact, but Munchers still won the game comfortably. Iain Wilson scored the opening goal with a low drive from his own half that Stephen Gerrard would have been proud of in the last minute of a cup final, and Stephen Woods and Fraz soon added further goals. 3-0 though, soon became 3-3, thanks in part to the first mistake Craig Wilson has made in goal all season, when he dived over a fairly soft shot. He made up for his error, though, with several more excellent saves, and – despite a penalty miss from Andy Dignon – Fraz and two Andy Dignan goals soon restored the three-goal cushion. Lee Hopkinson and Stephen Woods added numbers seven and eight before Blackburn scored their fourth, and the game ended with Iain Wilson scoring his second and Fran Dignan getting on the scoresheet. The only outfield player not to score was Richard Elliott, but he put in a solid performance at the back to allow the rest of the players to move forward into shooting positions.

Hawkings 2 Walton Wanderers 9

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (0)2 [Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott] Walton Wanderers (3)9

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Richard Elliott, Andrew Dignan, Frances Dignan, Stephen Woods

From Champions to relegation candidates in just three games – that’s the harsh reality for Hawking’s after a bad-tempered performance against an ordinary Walton side. Looking for revenge against the side who defeated them narrowly in the cup semi-final, Hawkings dominated the first half despite going a goal down after five minutes. The turning point of the game came a few minutes before half time, when Chris Elliott did excellently to gain possession just outside the Walton area, but with players unmarked on either side, he tried to beat the last defender and lost the ball. Instantly, with three Hawkings players out of position, Walton surged upfield and scored. Heads down, a third goal followed immediately and the half ended with Hawking’s looking a beaten side.

Two further quick goals followed, and worse was to follow as Chris Elliott was sent off to cool down for five minutes – and, on his return, he appeared to have no interest in the game at all. Walton were finding it easy, and soon stretched the lead to 8-0 before Iain Wilson ruined the Walton keeper’s clean-sheet ambitions with an excellent goal. Chris Elliott added a second, but his celebration of the goal was designed to inflame the situation even more, and Walton had the last word with the ninth goal.

Winning the league last season was a fine achievement, building on the results from previous seasons, but a true champion has humility, and Hawking’s still have to learn that this league is supposed to be about a bunch of lads having a bit of fun playing football.

Carpet Muchers FC 7 Serbian Salmon 13

Carpet Munchers FC (1)7 [Lee Hopkinson 2, Tony Albonese 3, Stephen Woods, Andrew Dignon] Serbian Salmon 6 (6)13

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Andrew Dignan, Lee Hopkinson, Stephen Woods, Richard Elliott, Tony Albonese

Against probably the best side in the league, Munchers put up a spirited performance. They fought well in the first half, and a Lee Hopkinson goal kept them in the game at 1-2, before the greater class of Salmon showed as they stretched to an 8-1 lead, despite some superb saves from Craig Wilson.

Munchers began to trouble their opponents, and a hat trick from Tony Albonese, injury free after holiday, plus goals from Andrew Dignon, Stephen Woods and a second from Lee Hopkinson meant the final scoreline was a respectable one. Richard Elliott made a welcome return from injury, and Iain Wilson went close to scoring on several occasions as the whole squad played their part in an entertaining performance.

Carpet Munchers FC 13 Gladiators 5

Carpet Munchers FC (6)13 [Chris Elliott, Iain Wilson, Fraz 4, Lee Hopkinson 4, Francis Dignon 2, Andy Dignon] Gladiators (2)5

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Francis Dignan, Lee Hopkinson, Stephen Woods, Andrew Dignan, Fraz, Chris Elliott

Munchers were barely able to begin this vital relegation battle, with only three players having arrived by kick-off time. Stephen Woods arrived moments later to join Iain and Craig Wilson and Lee Hopkinson, but as the game began, Chris Elliott stood on the pitch for ‘nuisance value’ to make it five against five. Even though he was wearing his day clothes, as he was going out, he proved such a nuisance that he scored with his only touch of the ball! Immediately, the Dignons and newcomer Fraz arrived, allowing Chris to leave the game and the arena.

Iain Wilson added a second with a shot from the halfway line, but some excellent goalkeeping by the Gladiators number one meant that his team were able to remain in the game, and they scored two fine goals themselves to level the scores midway through the first half. At this point, Gladiators changed their ‘keeper, and this was to prove costly for them. Fraz and Lee Hopkinson scored twice each before half time, and at least three of those goals were eminently stoppable.

Gladiators pulled another goal back just after half time, but Fraz with two and Francis Dignon with one extended the lead to 9-3. When Francis stopped to tie his lace, Gladiators took advantage of the extra man to pull a goal back, but Andy and Francis Dignon both scored, and Lee Hopkinson added another brace before Gladiators scored the final goal of the game.

Although Stephen Woods didn’t score, he was outstanding in defence, and hit the post in the second half. Iain Wilson also went close on several more occasions, and Andy Dignon hit the bar, and to make it a real team effort, Craig Wilson again produced some excellent stops, two in the second half being outstanding close range saves.

Get Well Soon Rik

Richard Powell last night suffered a double broken leg in an inoccuous looking challenge during Hawkings 9-2 win over Norfolk.

Powell was a regular in Hawkings first season before going off to university, and had just returned to the Hawkings team last week.

We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him pull on the Champions blue again in the not too distant future.

Hawkings 9 Norfolk & Chance 2

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (2)9 [Chris Elliott, Iain Wilson 6, Andrew Dignon 2] Norfolk n Chance (0)2

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott, Richard Powell, Andrew Dignon, Frances Dignon, Stephen Woods

The game had a quiet opening, with Chris Elliott giving Hawking’s an early lead, but after less than five minutes play, and just seconds after coming on to the pitch as the first substitute, Richard Powell went down in agony after a shin-on-shin tackle that left him with a broken leg.

An ambulance was called, and after a hold-up of twenty minutes, and on Richard’s prompting, the players moved to another grid to continue the game. Whether the injury inspired them or not, Hawking’s proceeded to play some superb football. Two excellent Iain Wilson strikes from the right hand edge within a few seconds gave Hawking’s a 3-0 half-time lead,

Shortly after the restart, Norfolk pulled a goal back, but another fine finish from Wilson restored the three goal lead. Shortly afterwards, he scored his fourth, an excellent finish as he chipped the ‘keeper who was on the ground after saving his first effort. Norfolk scored a second goal after a Craig Wilson throw-out was intercepted, but brother Iain was on fire as he rifled home his fifth and Hawking’s sixth goal. Moments later he turned provider, as Andrew Dignon was unmarked in the middle to slide the ball home, but his goalscoring instinct surfaced again with another excellent finish for his sixth goal of the night, before the Norfolk ‘keeper made a fine save to stop him notching number seven. Andrew Dignon scored again – after earlier hitting the post when Iain Wilson set him up with another chance – and the 9-2 victory was a fine way to end a sad evening.

Richard would have been proud of the way the lads played for him.

Man-of-the-match – Iain Wilson.

Champions!

Steven Hawking’s Football Boots clinched the Tuesday Night League Title without kicking a ball. St. Judes pulling out meant that Hawking’s had the best record of the remaining teams to pick up their first honour. And it was a double celebration as goalkeeper Craig Wilson also jointly won the Man Of The Match award, tying with ex-Hawking Carl Robinson on 3.

Final League Table

Tues Night League – Division 1
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	GS	Pts
1	Stephen Hawkings Football Boots	6	5	0	1	44	28	16	44	15
2	K-Town	6	4	0	2	42	24	18	42	12
3	Norfolk & Chance	6	1	1	4	27	33	-6	27	4
4	O.A.K. FC	6	1	1	4	20	48	-28	20	2