Interview with Pirk Ja-Song

While riding the bus the home from University yesterday, I happened to bump into the goalscoring 'hero' from yesterdays not-so-local Premiership derby between Irish London United and Calmdownpool FC. He was kind enough to give an exclusive interview to TO's Headspace.

After an anonymous schoolboy scored for Calmdownpool, the game looked to be heading for the shock of the afternoon.

However, United's training with Olympic hopeful Tom Daley has clearly paid of and when Zaragoza saw his chance he went for his best efforts to wow the judges. Straight 10's from Howard Webb and a penalty as a reward. Shrek did his best to help his fellow scousers (irony completely wasted on the geographically retarded Cockneys anti-scouser chants).

This left it up to our South Korean hero, Pirk Ja-Song, to head home the winner at New Trafford (!) and the newspapers applauded.





TO: Hi, thanks for doing this interview! Do you often ride the bus?!

P J-S: Hey, it is cool. I get bus all time, me not like spend money flash cars.
TO: Ahh, thats refreshing to see. How do you feel after scoring the winner yesterday? How was the feeling in the changing rooms?

P J-S: There is no feeling in the dressing room, we are married and like women. This is not Chelsea.
TO: Oh sorry...you don't often start for Irish London, do you feel you've done enough to warrant a starting position?
P J-S: I am under no allusion. I am here to play well enough to not be hated by fans and start enough games to sell lots of shirts in Korea. I feel I manage this well, however, my people would still rather watch rivals Bulton for Lui Ching-Yung...this make me sad.

TO: Thats a shame, maybe it's the Glazers fault, like everything else?
P J-S: Yes, I think you are correct. They come and buy players, win trophies and reach two champions league finals but they are the devil.



(All names in this article are fiction, the interview didnt happen and all likenesses and people are coincidental and fictional)
TO

Are City's Fan Favourites Costing the Team?

We all love a player who puts a lot of effort in. Tevez and Bellamy have been putting other players to shame, tracking players everywhere and playing their hearts out. Tonight, against Bolton, SWP and Adam Johnson did the same. But is this costing City dearly?

Much has been made of City's formation and from the 909 phone in's i've listened too, I dont think the fans are getting where Manicini is coming from. He is Italian, and such enjoys nothing more than a defensive 2-0 victory. He loves to play 4-3-3 with 3 defensive midfielders holding strong, and letting the front 3 (a lead man, with one winger and one flexible winger/deep striker) counter attack for goals.

This has worked well, especially early on, with Bellamy, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Petrov able to break quickly and supply Tevez. Ultimately, though I feel the fan favourite style of Bellamy and Tevez is costing Mancini (more his formation) his (its) reputation

City often find themselves winning the ball back, sometimes through one of the aforementioned workhorses, and then only having one or two men forward on the break and therefore outnumbered and lacking any bite. This was evident more than ever, in the Carling Cup 2nd leg versus United.

The solution? Either tell the supporting players they can stay forward, dont track back and be ready to receive the ball and break. Or, exchange one of the defensive midfielders for a link up man in the ilk of Stephen Ireland. Unfortuantely, I think its going to be the first one we see Mancini go for.

Peopl don't like change, but I see fans favourites SWP and Ireland heading for the door because they just don't suit Mancini's style.

TO

When The Pot Replaced The Kettle As England Captain

Over the past month, the British public has been subjected to none stop conjecture over the future of John George Terry and the England football team captaincy. Well, fortunately for those debating his capacity for the job and moral conviction, a decision has been made. After arriving back in England after knee surgery recuperation, Fabio Capello pulled the trigger on Terry’s captaincy.

It’s important to state the details of Terry’s proposed indiscretions with a teammate’s wife are still purely allegations at this point. However, many feel that Terry’s attempts to place an injunction on the media is proof enough to warrant his dismissal from his England captain duties. This goes against the very foundation of our legal system, innocent until proven guilty. It is clear that this is no legal case, but that only furthers the counter argument to taking action against Terry. He hasn’t actually done anything illegal; morally dubious, but legal nonetheless.

This highlights the major issue in British society’s outrage to this whole affair; their expectations. Just like celebrities, the British public enjoy building up hero sportspeople, just to knock them down again. However, sportspeople aren’t programmed to enjoy publicity, both good and bad. Professional footballers should not be the moral compass that guide our nation’s youth, or we are heading for disaster. I love football as much as anyone, but it’s clear from headline after headline that there’s no one member of the England team less morally bankrupt than Terry or any other star player.

So who does Capello chose as a replacement? Rio Ferdinand. The same Rio Ferdinand that was banned for 8 months for failing to take a mandatory drugs test (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3333091.stm) and has also been banned from driving four times in 8 years, with a judge stating “"He is a role model and should be a positive role model for young people in society and this does not give out the right message." (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2360175/Ferdinand-handed-driving-ban.html). This isn’t meant to demonstrate anything about Rio Ferdinand but to show the hypocrisy of replacing the pot with the kettle. Britain shouldn’t expect young, overpaid athletes with beautiful women throwing themselves at them to be a shining light of morality for the youth today. It should be the parents, siblings and teachers who show the adults of tomorrow how to behave.

TO

Edgeley Villa Reserves vs D&C ATHLETIC FC

Edgeley Villa Reserves 0-2 D&C Athletic
Sunday 22nd November
Bakery Bridge

Not wishing to name names but some players were adamant that adverse weather conditions would lead to this fixture being postponed and nearly didn't turn up for this fixture. However, it's a good job they did as this fixture was an important display for D&C.


The game started and D&C looked cold still and it was the underdogs who pressed first. Still looking for their first win of their first season, EVR, looked more likely to break the deadlock early on. They stretched a somewhat altered back four with long balls over the top and some bright play from their small midfielders; testing Adam Cummins to a full stretch save with a long distance strike early on.

D&C woke up and despite a few close calls they began passing the ball around with candor. This opened the game up for the midfield, and while the strikers struggled to create many chances through the middle, D&C full use of the flanks and this is how they broke the deadlock.

After 30mins, tireless Jordan Clough beat his man on the left wing and was duly brought down for a free kick 30 yards from goal. Tom Owen stepped up and whipped the ball around the wall and through a crowded penalty area into the bottom right hand corner for his second goal of this years campaign. D&C held the lead until the half. HT 0-1

D&C came out stronger and continue to stroke the ball around the park with few difficulties defensively other than their own errors. EVR became increasingly frustrated and for the second week in a row it was surprising not to see some tackles punished more strongly by the referee.

Ironically, the cards did come out, but for D&C striker Nick Kiefer when he was judged to have dived in the penalty area. It is unknown as to whether he will be reprimanded by the clubs front offices in form of a club fine.

D&C increased the deficit after 70mins when another Clough run down the left hand side led to a perfect cross to Kiefer in the 6 yard box on which he calmly side footed home. D&C then were forced to defend for the remainder of the game by aggressive EVR tactics to put 4 up front and chase their first points of the season, but it wasnt to be. FT 0-2.

This was an important result for D&C. While some may be disappointed not to win by more, it is important to remember not a year earlier where such a result would have gone the other way. D&C have become the kind of side that can win easily even when playing relatively badly, the kind that does well. This may not appear true due to conceding 3 goals, but for the past two games D&C have shut down opposition teams. The only problems they have faced have been created by themselves and that of terrible officiating, such as offside

GK - Adam Cummins
RB - Andrew Barlow
LB - Matt Davies
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Dean Couling (C)
RM - Martyn Barlow
LM - Jordan Clough (Will Gayle, 75)
CM - Nick Hughes
CM - Gaz Harley
CF - Nick Kiefer (Paul Watkins, 70)
CF - Atem Eyong

Unused Subs: N/A

TO

D&C ATHLETIC vs Disley A.F.C 2nds

D&C Athletic 3 - 3 Disley 2nds
Sunday 15th November

Lacey Green

The poor weather of week decided to disappear for the day and gave way to the finest rivalry in all of Disley. Despite the need for some major greenkeeping the pitch was in a good condition for D&C's passing style of football. And this was evident all game.

D&C started the brighter and held Disley in their own half for most of the first half restricting them to 30 yard pot shots. Disley adopted a tough football approach and were lucky to get away without bookings early on after chopping down Dave Slater, Gaz Harley and Atem Eyong repeatedly.

Nice passing moves saw Harley and Nick Kiefer both have one on one chances that were unfortunately squandered. Nevertheless, D&C pressed further and it took its toll on 30mins when a Tom Owen free kick was crossed in towards Eyong who headed back across the goal for Kiefer to spin 180degrees and slot the ball in the net from 5 yards out.

Just before the half Jordan Clough took the ball down the left hand side and beat Disleys slow RB only to be brought down in the area. Player/Manager Andrew Barlow stepped up to take the pen and slotted it in the bottom right corner only to see the referee was talking to a player. On the re-take he went the same way and the keeper guessed correctly.

Going into the half there was only one team playing and Davies in net had very little to do. HT 1-0

D&C came out to the second half slow and were punished after a few minutes when over committed defending was undone by a flicked header through to a loan Disley striker who took it round Davies to score the equaliser. Despite the goal, there was a strong appeal for offside which was ignored by the very poor referee.

The standard of officiating got worse as Disley players continued to push the boundaries of the definition of the word 'foul'. Disgusting tackle after disgusting tackle went unpunished and this temporarily prevented D&C from passing the ball around. Eventually, a breakthrough came from a 55 minute cross from Clough to the back post where Eyong controlled and slotted home for his 9th goal of the season.

D&C didnt rest on their laurels and keep pushing. They took a 3-1 lead when Nick Hughes lobbed the keeper from a very tight angle with a deft header. D&C had more chances from 65min sub Matt Wharton go untaken.

Disley got a second shortly after when again aggressive defending meant that too many defenders went to the man with the ball leaving only Barlow to defend two players in the box waiting for the cross. Disley's other striker then headed the ball home for 3-2. Again, the player was virtually stood next to Davies and was clearly offside but no decision to reflect that.

The game then started to get even uglier as the referees complete refusal to card anyone meant he was losing control. A disgusting tackle on Harley which eventually lead to his exit from the game (replaced by Paul Watkins) went only punished by a free kick. However, when Slater complained to the ref, a Disley player took it upon himself to shove him in the face. This is a straight red in any football rule book, yet the player only received a yellow.

With the last kick of the game Disley launched a ball over the top and, not learning from previous experiences, D&C stopped as the player was clearly 5 yards offside. The ref didn't call it and the player continued to beat Davies and score the equaliser. FT 3-3

While D&C did miss chances, and the defending should have prevented the goals, they can take solace in the fact that the refeering was decidedly poor and they were lucky to have not had more injuries.

Many will say that this is Sunday League and teams should be tougher and the ref even commented saying "we clearly watch too much premiership football". Nevertheless, the rule book is the same at every level and a shove in the face is a red card.

GK - Matt Davies
RB - Andrew Barlow
LB - Dean Couling (C)
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Nick Hughes
RM - Martyn Barlow
LM - Jordan Clough
CM - David Slater
CM - Gaz Harley (Paul Watkins, 70)
CF - Nick Kiefer (Matt Wharton, 65)
CF - Atem Eyong

Unused Subs: Mike Burt

TO

D&C ATHLETIC vs Westlands

D&C Athletic 0 - 3 Westlands
Sunday 1st November
Lacey Green

If a footballing display ever matched the weather then this D&C performance was it; grey, wet and blustery. While the pitch was just about playable, there was only one team who attempted it for 90mins.

D&C opted for the 4-4-1-1 formation that worked excellently against Woodley Albion but from that team they were without RB James Wallis and top scorer Atem Eyong.

D&C started the slower and never really picked up the pace. Making a couple of passing errors in the centre of midfield early on served only to set the tone for the rest of the game. D&C had few if any chances in the first half and suffered against a harsh face wind. Westlands piled on the pressure, including several difficult to defend free kicks forcing Dean Couling to head it onto his own bar. They eventually unlocked D&C before the half with a slick passing move. HT 0-1

Within 5 seconds of the second half kick off, D&C were lucky to not have conceded a second. Again setting a below par tone. As D&C tired from chasing and defending long balls, Westlands began to make it count. Hitting the post twice they were unlucky to not be further ahead. D&C's closest efforts from the second half all came from Dave Slater's long throws and Nick Hughes came close from one of Slater's corners.

Westlands made it 2-0 when the wind took the ball away from an eccentric Adam Cummins on the edge of the 6 yard box and their striker rose to looping header the ball into the top right corner of the goal.

They then finished the game as D&C changed to 3-5-2 and the back 3 couldn't remain organised when all the other players pushed forward. Westlands played the ball forward down our left hand side and neatly crossed into the back post of a Cummins save to have an easy finish for FT 0-3.

D&C need to take this an example of an organised team being clinical and 'up for the game'. While they have a poor record against Westlands, its not going to change without an improved performance for the away fixture. D&C need to remain humble and hungry and go after points and win games.

GK - Adam Cummins
RB - Andrew Barlow (Will Gayle, 70)
LB - Dean Couling (C)
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Jake Taylor
RM - Martyn Barlow
LM - Matt Davies (Matt Wharton, 70)
CM - David Slater
CM - Nick Hughes
AM - Gaz Harley
CF - Mike Burt (Cole Smith, 80)

Unused Subs: Paul Watkins

D&C ATHLETIC vs Woodley Albion

D&C Athletic 4-1 Woodley Albion
Sunday 11th October
Lacey Green

Buoyed by the excellent recent home form D&C went into this game with a recently unseen level of confidence and spunk, this showed in their play.

They started with a new 4-4-1-1 formation with the return of Nick Hughes, and in his absence the emergence of Dave Slater. The formation worked fantastically, allowing the hardworking midfield to support attack and defense where needed and the engines of the aforementioned and Gaz Harley worked all game long.

D&C started brightly and passed it around with ease making all the chances. After around 10 mins a D&C free kick from Tom Owen was crossed into the box where Nick Hughes headed back across the goal for Atem Eyong to side foot in. The goal was scratched by an offside call but D&C should be encouraged at how effective this has become in recent matches.

D&C took the lead on 15mins when a Matt Davies corner was headed towards goal by Harley. It was controlled on the line by Woodley but only as far as Owen at the back post. After getting a lucky bounce he struck the ball on the volley and wheeled away in exasperated celebration.

The exhilarating football continued when a ball over the top bounced to Eyong who tapped the ball over the keeper, held of a defender and calmly side footed home. This continued for most of the second half, with Adam Cummins having little or nothing to do in goal.

Just before the half was over D&C grabbed a third that really demonstrated the change in the team from last year. Dave Slater cut through the middle like a hot knife through butter and played in Eyong. Eyong beat two men out wide and then took the ball to the by line before pulling it back to Slater again to slot the ball home. HT 3-0

Maybe it was the lack of their new lucky charm, but D&C knew without her it was critical to keep the momentum going into the second half after Woodley made several changes to the back line. Swapping their calamitous younger centrebacks for more solid stronger replacements saw an improvement in Woodley's defending. However, this was also the downfall on 50mins when Eyong broke through in the box and was barged of his feet with no intention for winning the ball. Harley calmed slotted home the penalty to make it a four goal lead.

This served only to wake Woodley up and as D&C started to cruise the game became more of a contest. D&C got tired, laboured and content with sitting back. Woodley took advantage and pushed forward, coming close from a few corners.

They got their consolation when their captain turned Owen with a nice flick and then grounded Cummins in the D&C goal. The striker then put the ball across and Owen, who had managed to recover, didn't get enough on it the ball to stop it. The strikers partner bobbled the ball into the goal for a deserved but unappealing goal.

Luckily, fortress Lacey Green stood strong and D&C remain unbeaten on their home pitch. This victory was a real test of D&C's outlook this year and all players stood up to the task. The back four were solid for the second week in a row. The midfield engine never stopped churning and Atem held the line perfectly in this epic victory. Today, the blue tits were chirping in the bushes, and the sun shining on this revelation of a team.

GK - Adam Cummins
RB - James Wallis
LB - Dean Couling (C)
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Jake Taylor
RM - Martyn Barlow (Jordan Clough, 70)
LM - Matt Davies (Will Gayle, 75)
CM - David Slater
CM - Nick Hughes
AM - Gaz Harley
CF - Atem Eyong

Unused Subs: Matt Wharton, Paul Watkins & Jonny McAuley

TO

D&C ATHLETIC vs Richmond Rovers

D&C Athletic 2 - 1 Richmond Rovers
Sunday 4th October 2009
Lacey Green

The weather held up for this fixture and the pitch was perfect for a match up between developing rivals. While not being the closest derby game (lets face it, every team is a derby of sorts), Richmond have developed into one of our biggest games on the fixture list. After a heart breaking defeat and awe inspiring comeback last year, the script was set for another interesting affair.

Both teams started awkwardly, with D&C taking most of the possession. A few rough challenges from both sides set the tone and it wasn't until Matt Davies made a storming run down the left hand side on 20mins, his cross was spilled and Atem Eyong took full advantage nodding over the recovering Richmond keeper.

Both teams had a few chances and Richmond's strikers were unlucky to be called offside on an occasion when it appeared to be flicked back by a D&C player, however, they did spend a lot of the game stood offside and had a few go their way which shouldn't. Gaz Harley and Eyong had chances in the first half but neither could keep their shots on target. HT 1-0

In the second half, D&C squashed the game with further dominance. Dave Slater and Harley bossed the midfield and while they were outnumbered in midfield, they didn't seem particularly phased. They restricted Richmond to long balls and shots from distance, none of which troubled D&C too much. One long ball nearly made D&C pay as they failed to clear at the back and Richmond's striker, fresh from filming the 4th Lord of the Rings movie, hit his left footed shot off the crossbar. That will teach him not to treat the ball as "his precious", however it will do nothing for his Napoleon complex...

D&C made a few changes and brought on Paul Watkins and Jon McAuley for their debuts, taking off a hardworking-but-lacking-fitness Jordan Clough (been practicing his celebrations, prefers the 'Rich Mans Toss' to the 'Working Mans Flip', lets hope he doesn't score...on or off the field) and an injured Matt Davies.

After a few more minutes, with D&C desperate to hold on, the returning captain Nick Hughes came on and instantly made an impact. He rampaged up the fielding beating no less than 4 Richmond players before picking out Harley from 20yards on the left wing, leaving a cool finish for the second D&C goal.

While D&C were clearly on top, they were desperate to keep their first clean sheet in over a season but alas, this was not to be. Richmond worked the ball up their right flank nicely and crossed it in, Tom Owen headed clear at the front post but only as far as the edge of the area and thanks to some loose marking Richmond's midfielder half-volleyed the ball into the far corner past an outstretched Adam Cummins. This goal was almost identical to the one conceded against Edgeley, another game that could have been a D&C clean sheet.

After a nervy few last minutes, D&C survived. It can be said for the first time in a long while, that every player on the pitch played well and worked together. The back four were communicating well and had very solid performances, especially the aerially dominant Dean Couling and the equally commanding Jake Taylor. The midfield were also impressive, plenty from the flanks and as said the centre was moving up and down all game. The strikers offered someone to pass to and wanted the ball.

This is what confidence can do for a team and D&C will look to take this into the future. D&C won today and were swimming in clear blue tide of beauty. Please feel free to come again. No Really. Do.

GK - Adam Cummins
RB - James Wallis
LB - Dean Couling (C)
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Jake Taylor
RM - Martyn Barlow (Nick Hughes, 75)
LM - Matt Davies (Jonny McAuley, 70)
CM - David Slater
CM - Gaz Harley
CF - Atem Eyong
CF - Jordan Clough (Paul Watkins, 65)

Unused Subs - Matt Wharton, Nick Kiefer

Juno United vs D&C ATHLETIC

Juno United 4-2 D&C Athletic
Sunday 27th September 2009
William Scholes Playing Field

After the massive boost of a win the week before D&C were looking confident as they stepped onto the pitch today. They faced a new team to the division, which on most occasions works in the favour of the established team.

With Juno being a young team, D&C aimed to use their strength and long ball game to cause problems for the young inexperienced kids. It was Juno however who took the lead first, after 2 minutes, pouncing on a seemingly over confident and sleepy defense as the Juno striker beat any D&C defender to the follow up of a spilled shot to round the keeper and place easily into the goal.

This woke D&C up, and they started to look slightly more dangerous. Jordan Clough won repeated free kicks on the left hand side and was duly rewarded. Around 20 minutes into the game Atem Eyong rose at the back post to head a Tom Owen free kick across the 6 yard box so that Clough could poke it home for the equaliser.

D&C could have had a second identical goal but Gareth Harley was adjudged to have been offside. Jake Taylor saw a snatched volley flutter by moments after. Dean Couling snatched nothing but saw his strong right footed volley saved by a full stretched Juno keeper.

At 1-1, D&C looked in control and kept using their height advantage and long ball to trouble Juno. On 40 mins Adam Cummins' long goal kick from his hands found its way to Atem Eyong who was released one on one down the left hand side. Eyong, who scored an identical goal last week, saw his Henry-esque side foot palmed away but only as far as a switched on Jordan Clough who reacted quicker than any Juno player to calmly side foot his second and celebrate with a working mans flip. HT 1-2.

D&C encouraged from taking the lead into the half, again came slow out of the blocks. Within 5 mins, Juno took advantage of some more confused marking and their striker managed to bobble an equaliser over Adam Cummins.

Despite this set back D&C dominated possession, yet without really creating many chances. Atem Eyong saw most of his shots blocked or closed down and Mike Burt saw his biggest chance gobbled by an oncoming Juno keeper. It was Juno who took the lead in the second half when a mistake by Tom Owen at the back allowed the Juno striker through on goal. Adam Cummins was more than equal to the shot and the rebounded shot but a third was too much as Juno lined up to take turns.

After a flurry of substitutions, D&C went for broke. Pushing further up the pitch and had plenty of chances to draw level. Most notably was when Nick Kiefer was played in 8 yards out and struggled to get a kick at the ball eventually being dispossessed. As they kept pushing Adam Cummins came up for a final corner, leaving an empty goal behind. Juno played the ball ahead (to a player who the Referee later admitted was offside and he had made a mistake) and placed the ball into the empty goal to finish the game.

D&C will be disappointed to not take at least a point from this game. They will be looking to the the return fixture at home with the idea of getting some points in mind. Take nothing away from the new boys, they showed grit and determination and hopefully D&C will learn from this game and move forward.


GK - Adam Cummins
RB - Mark Stanley
LB - Dean Couling (C)
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Jake Taylor
RM - Martyn Barlow
LM - Jordan Clough (Matt Davies, 70)
CM - David Slater (Andy Barlow, 65)
CM - Gaz Harley
CF - Atem Eyong
CF - Mike Burt (Nick Kiefer, 60)

Unused Subs - Paul Watkins

TO

D&C ATHLETIC vs Edgeley Villa Reserves

D&C Athletic 5 - 1 Edgeley Villa Reserves
Sunday 20th September 2009
Lacey Green

This game marked the first round of League Cup and while D&C like to concentrate on the league this game was vital for confidence and fitness after a tough loss the week before.

Edgeley started the brighter without creating much as it took D&C a while to switch on. However, when they did the improvements D&C have made began to show. Playing nice football is beginning to pay rewards for D&C and for one game at least, they looked dangerous from set pieces. Martyn Barlow's right foot became hot property for 89mins as he was swinging corners in all game with purpose.

The deadlock broke after 15mins with a Barlow cross that sneaked past a leaky defense and miraculously straight into goal. D&C could have doubled the lead when a deflection fell to Atem Eyong on the penalty spot with a open goal, but...he missed...badly.

D&C kept pressing with most of the possession. Atem Eyong had a chance to atone for his TERRIBLE miss and hooked onto the end of a route one kick from Adam Cummins and calmly chipped the grounded Edgeley keeper.

Matt Davies return from work duties added more width to the team and the flanks kept opening for D&C and just before the half finished a Dean Couling cross made its way through the 6 yard box to Atem Eyong at the back post for his second.

To their credit Edgeley came out from the second half with renewed vigour and pressed tightly, managing to subdue D&C's dominance slightly. However, this didn't last long as Edgeley were reduced to 10 men. An Edgeley player reacted badly to an altercation for the second time and after a fracas from both teams was eventually resolved the game continued.

Ironically, with their reduced numbers, Edgeley rallied and pushed harder forward. They pounced on a sliced miss kick from Cummins and scored with a half volley from 25 yards.

This woke D&C up who knew that 3-1 wasn't safe and they pushed harder, again scoring from a Barlow corner. Jake Taylor popped up in the 6 yard box to poke the ball into the net from the scrambled defending.

Atem Eyong finally got the hat trick to make up for missing and open goal in the first half. Turning a defender on the left hand side he made his way into the area, cut inside, and finished nicely into the top right hand corner. Seeing Adebayor at the weekend inspired him to run to the corner flag to celebrate to the capacity crowd of 3.

All in all this was an encouraging performance from D&C. From an encouraging debut to countless chances D&C showed more to give. However, they must not rest on their laurels as there was plenty to work on before the next game.

GK - Adam Cummins
RB - James Wallis
LB - Dean Couling (C)
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Jake Taylor
RM - Martyn Barlow
LM - Matt Davies (Will Gayle, 60)
CM - Cole Smith Mk.II (Mark Stanley, 75)
CM - Gaz Harley
CF - Atem Eyong
CF - Mike Burt (Matt Wharton, 65)

Unused Subs - Paul Watkins, Nick Kiefer

TO

Peover vs D&C ATHLETIC

Peover 4-0 D&C

Sunday 13th September 2009
Peover Park

With the new fine system in place D&C look to be going to the Bahamas with their off season tour as the winding roads of Cheshire again managed to fox the highly intelligent members of the squad causing a few late arrivals.

This appeared to show on the field as D&C started slowly but steadily nonetheless. There seemed to be relatively few chances early on for both sides with Peover looking slightly more dangerous.

After 15mins the D&C captain, Nick Hughes, received a nasty facial [injury] from a clash of heads and had to be subbed off to go to hospital with a broken nose. The team missed the solid anchor in front of the back four and goals followed. The first came courtesy of a missed tackled by vice-captain, Gaz Harley, in the penalty area through which Peover's striker calmly finished past Adam Cummins near post on 20mins.

D&C stayed united and worked together for their chances. Atem Eyong nearly converted a well placed cross from a Tom Owen free kick, narrowly heading wide from 5 yards out. Striker, Mike Burt, also had a couple of shots narrowly missing wide.

However, Peover were 2-0 up before half time when the referee missed an off-side call and then recovering defender, Owen, miss timed the interception of the cross to which the Peover star striker chipped the ball over Cummins leaving Owen in the netting trying to redeem his mistake. A relatively united D&C then began to bicker again going into the half leading to a hairdryer treatment from gaffer, Andy Barlow. HT 2-0.

The second half didn't see much improvement with most of the play going Peover's way early on. Within 10mins, Peover were 3-0 up thanks to loose marking on the left hand side allowing a bobbling strike to skim off the dirt and make its way in off the back post with little Cummins could do. That being said, when called into action Cummins showed why he is regarded as one of the best Goalkeepers in the division making repeated camera saves.

D&C then changed to a 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to push for some goals to make the game more interesting. The change appeared to spark some life into the team and Eyong had a few chances to get some efforts at the opposing Goalkeeper were it not for some dubious challenges (not that he wasn't lucky to not be carded himself.) D&C brought on some fresh legs up front in Paul Watkins after 70mins.

However, with D&C pushing forward, Peover took their chances on the counter and this paid off again when they won a corner on 75mins. With the new formation D&C were left a man short when marking from corners, despite being shouted they remained a man down and one unmarked player managed to poke a toe at the ball and put it in from 5yards.
D&C had a few chances late on with Eyong crashing a header into the crossbar and Harley having a shot whisker past the post.

All in all, D&C had a mediocre to poor outing. All players know they have things to work on and this will surely come with match fitness. With lots of new players the team needs time to gel together. This being said, the team was surprisingly supportive of one another and apart from a couple of occasions were a million miles from the bickering team they have been in pre-season friendlies of late. Some pros and negs to take from this game but D&C should definitely not be disheartened by this result.

Onwards and upwards.

GK - Adam Cummins
RB - James Wallis
LB - Dean Couling
CB - Tom Owen
CB - Jake Taylor
RM - Nick Kiefer (Paul Watkins, 70)
LM - Martyn Barlow
CM - Nick Hughes (C) (Cole Smith, 15)
CM - Gaz Harley
CF - Atem Eyong
CF - Mike Burt

Unused Subs - Andrew Barlow


TO

Another Friendly BBQ

A quiet day in the life of TO....golf followed by a BBQ and ball sports in Nightwear's garden. Not that much to report other than i hope that everyone is making the most of this weather before it dissipates into what is called in this country....the summer.

Something in the terrible steaks we ate made me and Adam (Dick) become somewhat obsessed with altering our clothing.

Good luck to Nightwear on your hot date!

:)

TO

SCFC

Just a celebratory update to thank Stockport County FC for an entertaining season, i now have my Season Ticket for next year...get down and support the club!

Dun dun der dun Ol-i John-son!

TO

Andy Barlows Blue and White Army!

There are many grudge matches in football. Rangers/Celtic. City/United. Fergie/Wenger. Berbatov/Goals. However, although Disley 2nd's FC is our derby game, there is nothing quite like D&C Atheltic versus Richmond Rovers.

Richmond Rovers consists of smarmy little Poynton HS kids who play open age and then complain that they are smaller than all the other teams. Basically, they are whiny little diving bastards and nothing gives us/me more joy that wiping the little smirks of their faces before sending them home to mummy for dindins.

It all started when they snatched a draw from us with a soft last minute header back in December giving us all the worst Christmas presents ever.

Today however, was our turn to run onto the pitch and celebrate.....a draw! If you saw the first half then you would be happy for us too. They took a 2-0 lead with minutes of kick off and it remained that way till the half.

Majorly pissed off, imagine how we feel when the two snotty nosed 17 year old's start giving veterans central defenders like Me and Gare Bear abuse.

Elbows fly. Bodies crumble. Ankles crunch (mine...). Children cry (them...).

The Athletic came roaring back to life (thanks NWF for that one!) and the 2nd half is was more promising. Dick got bored in goals and took it out on their strikers every time they kicked the ball a little bit too far forward and was lucky not to get booked. Felix managed to get a goal back by repeatedly kicking their keeper until he pushed the ball free and calmly slotted it home. A free kick from the sideline was whipped in by Middle Sherman and even though Dick came up to try to steal the glory Bluesy manages to nod it home over their fat and terrible goalkeeper.

Cue retaliation. The ever professional manager of D&C runs in front of the Richmond Tarts sideline celebrating the whole way!

This is the beautiful game after all.

Seeing as we don't film our own games (i've requested many times) it looked something like this:



TO

"Here We Go Again On Our Own!"

This morning my merry men and I embarked our our weekly journey that puts amateurs across the country to shame. We are D&C Athletic FC. We are titans (not) of the East Cheshire Sunday Football League. However, its difficult to play when the star defenders, goalkeeper and strikers are lost....:



TO