WHEATSHEAF HEATHERSIDE FC - OB INTER-DIVISIONAL CUP FINAL 2003

After watching the Wheatsheaf Old Boys for most of the season, it was a shame they left there most disappointing performance for the inter divisional cup final on Sunday April 27^th.

Over 240 people descended on Farnborough Football Club at Cherrywood Road, with over 50% of them Wheatsheaf supporters, to watch what was  expected to be a feast of free flowing football, the Wheatsheaf Massive were excited at the prospect.

A good start was made when the teams were introduced to the Chairman of the league, the Wheatsheaf were already one up having out numbered the Spelthorne mascots by 4 to 0, the Hawker brothers, Sam Berridge and a suited mascot not to be named, were truly magnificent apart from the "suited one" getting above his station by shaking everybody’s hands!

The game started very quietly, as to be expected on such a big pitch, however, after 12 minutes a lack of communication in what can only be described as "a danger area", gave  the oppositions "unknown striker" a chance which he duly tucked away to the keepers right. The expectant supporters thought game on but it wasn’t to be.

With 6 off sides, 1 forward obtaining 4 of these, and not one shot on target, we only had one thing to cheer about when our big midfield maestro (Harry) hit the back of the net, however it was not the ball but their keeper who scrambled back to his feet, with the ball already making its way up the field. A loss of possession on the right gave the "unknown striker"  half a chance which he duly took and hit the top corner  of the net, Craig in goal had no chance. 2-0 half time.

We thought a good kick up the backside at half time might have bucked their ideas up.

A little better start to the second half with the keeper making a good save to keep the score 2-0, a little bit more fight but no telling balls from the defence or midfield gave Spelthorne quite an easy ride, capped off when “mystery man” made it 3-0 and his hat trick. Despairing, and at the thought of getting really hammered, the Boys tried to hold on to the ball but it wasn’t to be, sloppy defending gave another Spelthorne striker a chance which he duly tucked away. 4-0.

A couple of subs, a sending off but the Old Boys didn’t give up, with 1 corner and 1 shot on target in this half, it was a spirited display with no real end product. A move down the right ended with a lunging tackle, which the Ref deemed a penalty, we at last had something to cheer about, Stuart smashed it into the roof of the net, 4-1.

Nothing much else to report as the fans left Cherrywood road, disappointed but hoping for a bit more success next year, with 2 games to go, the Old Boys knowing life in the Camberley Premier is guaranteed next season. After a year of some good football being played on Heatherside 1 and on fields far away, it was such a shame they couldn’t have replicated this form on the big day, however, it is only a game.

ANON
J Duddy
Wheatsheaf Heatherside Press Office