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WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED

SLAYER FC 2

F McCormack (1) N Saunders (1) 

GLEN ROVERS FC 0

It seemed we had been waiting an eternity to put right the only real blot on the Slayer record this season. A combination of circumstances resulted in an inexplicable 8-2 defeat to Glen Rovers last year and all the players seemed up for the fight (some literally). The tone was set very early on when Fred was up-ended in the first couple of minutes. It seemed that the only way to deal with the ginger one was via the Tommy Smith school of defending. Slayer should have been awarded a penalty after 15 mins when Fred was blatantly pushed in the penalty area. However, the resultant free-kick was duly dispatched into the clouds by Steve Woollcott. Any attacking threat from Glen Rovers was snuffed out comfortably by our formidable back four and I can’t remember a single goal scoring chance in the first half.

 The deadlock was broken by Slayer via a punt up field by Julian. The ball bounced over the Glen Rovers back line and Fred headed towards it like a heat seeking missile, reaching the ball with his head just before the Glen Rovers keeper. Knowing the ball was nestling in the back of his own net, the keeper hit the deck moaning like a beached whale. It made no difference, 1-0. It did not take long for Slayer to double their advantage. Still reeling from the first goal, a break down the left by Fred and a neat pull back was matched by a composed finish by Nick S, 2-0. Half time came and we knew things would get tougher. The second half saw Glen Rovers have the better of the possession and they did create some good chances. However, the military rock that is known as Julian would not be passed.

His array of acrobatics was matched by some resolute defending by Matt, Mark, Dave and Graham. Slayer could and perhaps should have scored more. A neat one-two between Steve J and Adam produced a good save from their keeper. Fred barged his way through twice only to be denied by further saves and the crossbar. And the miss of the game and contender for the headband of shame was a miss by Adam from 5 yards out when he lived up to his nickname of ‘blaze over the bar’. In the end, these missed opportunities did not matter as Slayer’s goal remained in tact. All that was left was for Fred to get hauled to the ground in the 89 min for the umpteenth time and for that fiery temper to emerge. Before any harm was done however, the mgr completed a swift tactical substitution and the final whistle was blown. Overall, a performance of bravery and character and a thoroughly deserved victory. It was no surprise that one of our outstanding defenders was awarded man of the match – well done Matt!

Man of the match: Matt Banks

Team : Julian, Nick S, Matt, Fred, Dave, Mark W, Ian, Andre, Adam, Alec, Steve W, Mark C, Steve J, Graham