After last weeks fantastic breaking of the London hoodoo , the lads prepared for their next league game with a full strength side . Well almost as Nobby Raphael is still on international duty. Question marks over Ken (he's as auld as Rob Lee) Muzzainoz's fitness and early return proved unfounded as he ran tirelessly for the full match . Lolo (Sting) was suffering from O'brien type cramp in his calves , having stupidly ran around the opera house and up and doon the steps at Lunchtime . Roger 'the fish' Hill was smarting from two ninety minute performances at the weekend . Only 'Al' Abbey was in full fitness having locked hisel' in the house all day Sunday ( in 27 degree heat in a house overlooking the beach, completely resiting all contact with the human race preparing for the Australian rerun of the big lads game v manure ) . The opposition fielded a much changed side from their previous two outings and a newly signed centre forward , who it turned out was a bliddy Geordie whose Mam owns two pubs in Whitley. The game kicked and off and again the Toon started slowly , Lolo giving the ball away in defence .. 0 - 1 . Casual play once more in midfield and the opposition forward hit a hopeful shot that went through Shay 'the fish' hands .. 0-2 . More sloppy passing and the Toon were 3 down , half way through the first half . At this point Lolo decided to wake up and a swift pass from Ken Lee ( is he a movie star ? ) and a piercing left footed drive , nearly burst the net 1-3. A surge of activity and short passing led to Al finishing from outside the (2 yard ) box and we went into the break at 2-3 . A quick pep talk at half time and with Lolo looking a little knackered ( too many tabs ) it was agreed a tactical switch half way through the second half with the fish like character could prove fruitful . The second half began like the first half finished , the Toon peppering the net and looking like equalising . The opposition keepers then tactically threw up in his own goalmouth ( remember the bliddy Geordie I was telling you about ? ) , and the momentum was lost . Ken Lee sidestepped a carrot on the next move and the ball was parried t5o safety . The next attack and disaster 2-4 . This was the catalyst for a keeper change , and thats when things started to change . Ill cut the crap .. Roger the fish Hill bullied his way through the centre of the park and scored a Micky Quinn-esque hattrick in the space of five minutes . Monumental stuff . Toon 5 Lucky Gets 4 . Lucky Gets for the following reason ... with the crowd cheering the lads and singing " You aint seen nothing like the mighty Hill" .. throw in with 10 seconds to go .... Lee holds off defender , free kick 5 seconds to go ..... the ball was passed back o Al who for some reason ( only he knows hisel ) was caught in a time warp .... the ball stood still .. so did Al ............ Lolo looked on in disbelief ............ the buzzer sounded ... the opposition striker hit the ball and ...... GUESS BLIDDY WHO ... the spewing Geordie b@st@rd scored 5-5 . The scottish ( or should I see russian ) linesman allowed the goal to stand , GAME OVER ! Nice to see it doesnt matter where you go history repeats itself . In the pub post match the crowd commented on the game that had everything , and the Referee even had the cheek to cadge a pint . Same auld same auld :-))

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Answers

Actually a P1sser.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Shame the only thing I have in common with Big Al is a dodgy knee. The only thing I can say in my defence re the blunder is that it takes a long time for messages to get from my brains to my feet. By the way, after a lot of lurking this is my first ever posting on the BBS. I feel all 21st century.......

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Fine to have you onboard Aabbey, divvent let the barstewards grind you down, big enuff Oz Clique noo to hold your own!!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Thanks Buff - the name's Andy by the way but I suppose Al's dodgy knee will do nicely for the bbs. I had to log on eventually to make sure Grant wasn't slagging me off in the match reports....

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Can we start a new category for 'Ozzie clique' please?

Welcome aboard Al's dodgy knee - you'll find we are not all as bad as Sting

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

It seems my reputation precedes me, take nae notice Al's dodgy knee, Kegsy's just jealous he doesnt live in Sydney ;-)

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Don't know why he'd be jealous - the year round sunshine..... the beaches.... the superb affordable food..... the fact that all summer long I've got hundreds of women in swimsuits practically on my doorstep. It's all such a strain. Personally I miss Ashington.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Hey Dodgy knee , divvent tell Gav about all the lasses in bikinis , Ive been trying to keep him away from this place for six months now .

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Jealous of that? You're mad - I have a 45 minute commute every day on the busiest train line in Tokyo - with other blokes armpits in my face. Beat that.......

One of my mates was actually in Sydney a couple of weeks ago. He flew over for the Bledesloe (sp) cup - had the time of his life apparently but it seemed a bit far to go for a week-end. Still at least he wasn't jet lagged when he got back - just hungover. I'm thinking of popping over for the ashes next year.....

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

How lads any chance of a spot for me when I get back? I`m a dab hand chopping the oranges like

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

It's not cutting oranges that'll get you on the bench Loony, tray of beers might though, think you might need a couple of months in the tray carrying mould before you graduate to actually playing tho'! Get yer eye back in an' that...

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2001