Carpet Munchers 6 Keep Ball 12

Carpet Munchers FC (3)6 [Calum Faulds 2, Iain Wilson 3, Rob Danson] Keep Ball (8)12

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Gaz Winter, Rob Danson, Calum Faulds

This game, against the most obnoxious bunch of chavs ever to step onto a football field, was a farce. Despite the undoubted skills of the Keep Ball side, they were an embarrassment to football, and included an overweight yob at the back who should never be allowed within a hundred miles of a football field. After kicking right through Rob Danson in the first half and then trying to break his arm, he did a double-footed stamp on Rob’s knee with the ball nowhere in sight and was finally sent off. How brave of him to take on Rob, a slim seventeen-year old who makes everybody quake in their boots.

Calum Faulds scored twice in his first five-a-side game, Iain Wilson netted three, Rob Danson had the last laugh by scoring after the thug had been sent off, Gaz Winter was solid at the back under great physical pressure and Craig Wilson made his usual string of fine saves, but all the team were waiting for was the final whistle so they could get off the pitch and away from chav city.

Hawkings 7 Screaming Weasels 5

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (3)7 [Chris Elliott 4, Darren 3] Screaming Weasels (1)5

Squad –Simon Eason, Iain Wilson, Richard Elliott, Chris Elliott, Stephen Woods, Darren

Against the league leaders, Hawkings produced their best performance in months and fully deserved their victory. After Chris Elliott opened the scoring, it took a spectacular finish to bring Weasels level, but two more goals from Chris meant Hawkings went into half time 3-1 ahead. Strong tackling, good passing and quality goalkeeping were the hallmark of the first half performance.

The early stages of the second half saw Hawkings fighting hard, but Weasels scored three times to take the lead. Darren deservedly equalised, only for Weasels to go in front again. In the final few minutes, Hawkings gradually took complete control, and after Chris Elliott scored his fourth goal to level the score at 5-5, Darren scored two fine goals to ensure Hawkings got the result their all round team performance warranted.

Man-of-the-match Darren.

Carpet Munchers 5 Blackwood Homes 8

Carpet Munchers FC (4)5 [Stephen Woods 2, Lee Hopkinson, Gaz Winter, own goal] Blackwood Homes (6)8

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Gaz Winter, Stephen Woods, Lee Hopkinson, Rob Danson, Dan Arciniega

In blustery conditions, Munchers came up against Blackwood Homes once again, and for once found the opposition just too good for them. After an early chance, when Dan Arciniega played the ball through for Stephen Woods to force a save out of the ‘keeper, Munchers were on the back foot for a long spell until Stephen Woods gave them the lead. Homes equalised within seconds, before Lee Hopkinson restored the lead following god work by Rob Danson. Homes soon equalised again, and then took the lead for the first time, despite some magnificent goalkeeping by Craig Wilson. Munchers equalised bizarrely when the Homes ‘keeper watched as a backpass rolled into the net, and then Gaz Winter gave them the lead with a fine finish. 4-3, though, became 4-6 by halftime as the superior fitness and organisational play of the opposition told.

The second half saw Munchers desperately trying to keep Homes at bay, and some more fine goalkeeping kept them in the game until two latish goals gave Homes a 8-4 lead. Iain Wilson was very unlucky not to score after a fine run, and the final goal fell to Stephen Woods, after Dan Arciniega followed up after his first shot missed and pulled the ball back for the goal.

Hawkings 3 Inter Not a Lot 4

Stephen Hawkings Football Boots (2)3 [Rick Elliott, Iain Wilson, Chris Elliott] Inter Not A Lot (2)4

Squad –Simon Eason, Iain Wilson, Richard Elliott, Chris Elliott, Stephen Woods

Hawkings were decidedly unfortunate to lose this fixture as they put in one of their best team performances in recent weeks. After going 0-1 behind, they took a 2-1 lead through goals by Ric Elliott and Iain Wilson, the second resulting from a slick passing move involving Chris Elliott and Stephen Woods. A slip at the back cost the equalising goal, but in general Hawkings were solid all over the pitch.

After being on top for the first ten minutes of the second half, and having several efforts saved, Hawkings conceded two quick goals, but still came back at their opponents. Chris Elliott scored from a free kick, and the side pressed strongly for an equaliser, although credit must also be given to Simon Eason for making some excellent saves as Hawkings pressed forwards and were sometimes left short in defence.

Carpet Munchers 6 The Fleece FC 6

Carpet Munchers FC>(3)6 [Stephen Woods 4, Iain Wilson, Andrew Dignan] The Fleece (5)6

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Gaz, Stephen Woods, Andrew Dignan, Rob Danson

The first point of the season came after this draw, but it was a game that Munchers could and should have won. They conceded the first goal, only for Stephen Woods to level the scores, and although Fleece scored another two, Woods added two more to complete his hat trick to level again at 3-3. In the closing minutes of the half, and with Munchers on top, Fleece scored another couple to take an interval lead.

In the second half, Fleece rarely had a shot as Munchers dominated totally. Iain Wilson and Andrew Dignan scored to level the scores, and with Rob Danson firing in shot after shot, and Gaz solid in defence, it was no surprise when Stephen Woods scored to give Munchers the lead for the first time. Just when a win looked likely, Fleece equalised with a shot into the corner, and although Munchers pressed hard, they couldn’t notch the winning goal.

Carpet Munchers 3 UCUM 11

Carpet Munchers FC (0)3 [Lee Hopkinson 2, Iain Wilson] UCUM (5)11

Squad – Craig Wilson, Iain Wilson, Lee Hopkinson, Stephen Woods, Andrew Dignan, Rob Danson

This was always going to be a difficult game, against the top-of-the-table side. They showed why they are top with a very accomplished performance, but Munchers competed well without much luck. The Wilson’s, in particular, had mixed evenings. Iain had a great chance to put Munchers ahead early on, only for the ‘keeper to save, but he then deflected a shot past brother Craig to give UCUM the lead. Craig then made a superb save, diving to push the ball away, only to then let a soft free kick through his hands and in. Iain worked hard to dispossess a UCUM forward as he looked about to score, pushed the ball back to the ‘keeper, only to see it go past him and in as Craig had anticipated the initial shot. Another free kick goal and another Iain deflection made it 0-5 at half time. Munchers could count themselves unlucky not to have scored, as Rob Danson, Andy Dignan and Stephen Woods all had shots well saved.

The second half followed in the same way, and Iain deflected another one in for 0-7 before Craig took his eye of the ball and let a simple shot through his hands for 0-8. Despite making some more fine saves, UCUM stretched the lead to 0-10 before Munchers gained some consolation from the last ten minutes. Lee Hopkinson scored to make it 1-10, and added a second to make it 2-11, before Iain Wilson ended the scoring – this time at the correct end – by following up after Rob Danson saw his shot saved. Stephen Woods battled to the end, but without any luck.