Sheepshaggers Cup report - 03/06/00

After days of uncertainty about our entry into the competition (thanks to losing several players at the last minute) we finally decided to make the trek north to Derby. Five of us - myself, Paul Newman, Chris Raistrick, Russell Peters and Darren Pasley left East London at 8.30am; we were meeting Dan Hart (fresh from a walking trip in Yorkshire) and the Bouncer at the venue. Derby had kindly offered to lend us enough players to make up an 11.

So despite reservations and limited hopes of success we set off. Due to some dodgy directions from the Derby mob we eventually arrived at our destination shortly after 11am - not bad considering we were due to kick off at 10.30.

Upon arriving we were pleased to find that Dave Kelsey had turned up to lend his support for the cause - no mean feat considering Dave hasn't kicked a ball in nearly eight years!

So the magnificent seven became eight, and upon turning up at pitchside we met the four lads who were to become honourary Hammers for the day. Steve, Rob (PC Quinnan from the Bill), wee Ben (Ole Gunner Solskjaer) and Tommo (a dead ringer for Marc Keller) said their hellos and we launched straight into our first game - against the hosts Derby.

The tournament was split into two groups of three - we had Derby and Forest; the other group consisted of Leicester, Sheff.Weds and a team bunged together at the last minute consisting of Man.City, Wolves and Coventry boys.

We started with a 4-4-2 formation; Tommo (Marc Keller) sat out the first game, and the game kicked off at a fairly frenetic pace. Derby as hosts were going to be our toughest challenge, so we were over the moon when we took the lead after just five minutes.

A hopeful Howlett strike from 30 yards  nearly ripped the net out of it's foundations. Well maybe that's a little artistic licence but I enjoyed it anyway. The heads were up, Derby were shell-shocked to say the least; but could we hang on?

The answer in short, was no. Just before the break a mix-up between me and the Bouncer led to the tricky Derby forward faced with a clear run on goal. Pas will say he would have saved it anyway but I was taking no chances and cynically took his legs away - a clear penalty, which was duly dispatched to level the scores.

1-1 at the break - the Bouncer off for honourary Hammer Tommo and the hosts were well up for it now.

And it wasn't long before they took the lead; the goal I can't remember but I recall being disappointed by it.

Despite our best efforts (which included a Raistrick rasper that beat the keeper but not the defender on the line) we just couldn't find the equaliser, and the day was Derby's. But they knew how lucky they had been; they certainly weren't expecting such a close game.

The next match was Derby v Forest; the hosts looked a tad jaded and were probably lucky to earn a point.

So we knew what we had to do. Winning the group was impossible now, and nothing less than a win would suffice were we to stand a chance of third or fourth place.

So in predictable style we found ourselves a goal down within minutes. Again, the details have slipped my mind but I'm sure it was more down to defensive error than attacking skill.

Would our heads go down? Would they f*ck. We actually started playing some quality football; the honourary Hammers were beginning to gel with the rest of us and it wasn't long before we were level. A goalmouth scramble eventually fell to the feet of Tommo, who miskicked his shot but it cannoned off a Forest defender into the back of the net. 1-1, all to play for.

Second half, we changed it around a bit. Dan Hart, previously playing up front dropped back into the midfield to give us a 4-5-1 formation. It worked wonders; we started to win the ball in the middle and create chances. Five minutes into the half and a good move culminated with Dan Hart striking a sweet left-footed drive beyond the (excellent) Forest keeper to give us the lead. We were in front again, could we hang on this time?

Well, sadly, no - again. But we were bloody unlucky. Now we were playing two halfs of 22.5 minutes each - a total of 45 minutes. Apparently the (Derby) ref only played 20 in the first half, so we were going to play 25 in the second.

But I tell you what, it was the longest 25 minutes of football I've ever played. I'm not complaining because it was the same for both sides, but we were really under the cosh in the final few minutes, and time seemed to go on forever. With what turned out to be the last thirty seconds of the game, the Forest player with Bergkamp on his back hit a loose ball from the edge of the box. The Bouncer stretched to block it but it took a wicked deflection off him which left big Pas rooted to the spot. We watched helpless as the ball flew agonisingly into the corner of the net.

Thirty seconds later - final whistle. We'd finished bottom of the group despite playing some very good football. Sometimes there is no justice in the world.

So our last game was the 5th/6th place play-off against Leicester who finished bottom of the other group. Not too much to say about this one as we were always in control, but there were three top goals; from Dan Hart (two for the tournament and top scorer), Russell Robbie Wellard (a fierce drive) and honourary Hammer Steve. Leicester scored a late consolation but the win was no more than we deserved.

So all a little happier after finally getting a deserved victory we trundled off to the Bridge pub to watch the England/Malta game (which was a load of b*llocks). Then goodbyes were said, and we made the long journey back south so I could send you this not so little report.

I'd like to finish by expressing my sincere thanks to Tommo, Steve, Rob and Ben for helping us out today - they really could all play a bit and did us a huge favour today. Boys, if you've reading this and ever fancy a game in future you're more than welcome to join us. It was much appreciated.

Khris is going to get the game with the Orient vets sorted; hopefully we can get a few more games arranged for the summer too and kick-start this whole thing again. And don't forget Worldnet; July 22/23rd in Leeds - it's about time we did something there.

Gray

Results:

Group One:
WEST HAM 1 Derby 2 (Howlett)
Derby 1 Notts.Forest 1
WEST HAM 2 Notts.Forest 2 (Hart, og)

5th/6th Place play-off:
WEST HAM 3 Leicester 1 (Hart, Peters, Steve)

Sheff.Weds beat Derby on pens in the final

Search our site