Thursday 1 May 2008

Match Report: Metrica v Huxley

Final Score: Metrica 3 - 9 Huxley

It was a day for heroes. A day when the rain poured, the wind howled, and the changing rooms at GMH Park still hadn't been completed.

Against this (slightly melodramatic) backdrop, a band of merry stragglers from Jaggers Daggers made their way via the free booze at the staff meeting to a 7.30 showdown with Huxley. The size of Metrica's task was immediately apparent as they lined up with just 4 players- Ray having set off on a crusade for a new pair of shoes at 5.30, never to be seen again.

Despite this, Tom, JT in goal, Rich and Thane "the rookie" Ryland made a good start (by our standards), with some neat passing and tidy defence. The extra man told though, and at half time it was three zip without anyone doing much wrong, Metrica was staring down the barrel of another defeat, and we were getting tired. It was still raining too.

Coming out for the second half it seemed like the cause was lost, and sure enough Huxley tucked a couple more away with some very sharp finishing. But Metrica stuck at it, and with a left foot that would make John Arne Riise proud, Rich lashed a shot towards the opposition goalie. Also like Riise, the hapless fool then turned it into his own net, although Rich still claimed it at the end of the game.

At the other end James was playing a blinder in goal to keep the score respectable, and some neat interplay between Thane and Tom led to a couple more Metrica goals, finished off in style by Jagger. As if that wasn't enough of a surprise, Ray then turned up, enthusiastic as ever but apparently without having bought any new shoes.

Huxley's reputation for physical play and gamesmanship was working against them too, and although even Tom was getting a bit puffed out, a few sneaky kicks and pushes here and there helped to make a contest of it. At the whistle, the Daggers trooped off the pitch with their heads held high and the now-customary defeat in their pockets. Even the rain stopped to applaud their efforts.

Metrica: Taylor, Jagger (2), Ryland, Bennett (1), Hirang (1/2!)

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