Ascension : Dirty “Dozen” play with ten and concede four as Rowdies cruise to next Sunday’s semi-final
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 26.10.2006 (Article Archived on 09.11.2006)
After a liquid lunch with Mr. Jimmy Bennett I drove passed a dug-up area of soil surrounded by a ribbon marked “Police Crime Scene” on my way to the Long Beach football pitch,
Dirty Dozen attack Rowdies goal
Rowdies 4 v 0 Dirty Dozen
After a liquid lunch with Mr. Jimmy Bennett I drove passed a dug-up area of soil surrounded by a ribbon marked “Police Crime Scene” on my way to the Long Beach football pitch, where the young men playing for the Dirty Dozen appeared to be having problems with their maths, for after selecting a name implying they would be fielding twelve players, they in fact turned up with only ten!
The players and officials began by standing around the centre circle to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Andrew “Flipper” Bennett to which this annual tournament is dedicated.
The first opening in the game fell to the Rowdies’ Phillip Yon who shot directly at Jamie Maggot, the Dozen-Minus-Two’s Keeper. The next two Rowdies chances fell to Chris George, his first attempt went wide and his second shot hit Jamie’s legs as the Keeper advanced from his goal line.
Nicky John (playing for the Rowdies – has he moved from Georgetown?) then had a tap-in disallowed as he was off-side when Phillip Yon crossed to him.
This sparked the Ten, sorry Dozen, into life, Alroy Fuller took their first chance, shooting wide, and then when the Rowdies Keeper, Martin “Jackson” Buckley, dropped the ball (perhaps he took his eye off it?!!) Richie hit the ball passed the Keeper but was judged to have fouled him.
Paul Fuller then took Shonray out on the left touch-line but the resulting free kick was cleared by the Rowdies.
The Rowdies countered with the opening goal of the game when Darren Speedie volleyed passed a stationery Jamie Maggot.
Alroy fired a shot wide for the Dozen before, at the other end, Chris George had a goal disallowed for fouling Jamie during his attempt to score.
Darren Speedie then ran through the Dozen’s defence unchallenged and instead of passing to an unmarked fellow attacker he calmly slotted the ball passed Jamie for his and the Rowdies 2nd goal of the game. Rowdies pressure continued as Phillip Yon supplied another good cross into the box only for Chris George to head it over the bar, and Paul Fuller hit a shot wide.
Shonray then had two chances for the Dozen, heading a corner wide and then hitting a shot into the side netting, before he crossed to Nathan “Bean” Fowler who shot over.
A Chris Yon clearance then hit a beautiful green Mini Cooper parked by the touch-line and despite loud protests from the crowd (well me) Ref Martin Joshua refused to send Chris off.
Phillip Yon then killed the game off with a close range shot passed the advancing Jamie who was simply out-numbered by Rowdy attackers. I think he was hurt in this incident or slightly afterwards as he was substituted during half time.
There was time for two more Dozen chances before the break, “Jackson” saved from Shonray and Richie hit the side netting after making a solo run on the left.
Mark Francis replaced Jamie in goal during the second half and Speedie Senior took to the field for the Dozen. The second period began with the Dozen winning a free kick which was collected by “Jackson” who also mopped up their next attack despite being pressurised by Speedie senior. At the other end Nicky John shot wide and then took a corner which went behind the goal.
Phillip Yon then scored his second and the Rowdies fourth, but my view of it was blocked by the Linesman (thanks, “Chocolate”)!
Mark Francis kept the score respectable by collecting a shot from Phillip Yon and saving a Nicky John free kick before earning a yellow card for handling outside the area. Mark may be pleased to know he also won the “nicest bum” award from the female members of the crowd, although they didn’t appear to be taking things too seriously as they awarded Speedie Senior “best legs” – a sympathy vote surely?
At the other end Shonray and Richie both had shots stopped before the game drew to a close. Paul Fuller was awarded Man of the Match (by the Ref, not the girls!) and this Sunday the Rowdies will play Georgetown.
On Sunday the Dream Team narrowly lost to the Pioneers, 9 v 1; Man of the Match Errol Thomas scored a penalty and the other Pioneer scores were Gordie Peters (1), Steve Caswell (2), Ashley Lawrence (2), Wayne Crowie (2) and Dave Bagley (1). Errol Lawrence was the Dream Team’s sole scorer. The Pioneers will meet the Retards in the first semi-final to be played this Saturday.
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