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Tractor FC [4] v's MSFC [3], 14th April, 2002.
Tractors come-back to 'win ugly'

When it comes to match preparations, TFC rule the Sunday league in pure desire and commitment to getting three points and doing the job at hand. It was therefore no surprise that various players admitted that they had hung up their shirts on Saturday night just so that they would be reminded of the match the following day, as the last thing they saw before bed, and the first thing visible in the morning. The array of coat hangers clearly visible in an alarming number of the players shirts at kick off was therefore a good sign of everyones commitment on match day, and in no way an indication of how hung-over the team really was.

Electing to play uphill and then downhill for the first half, TFC got off to a good start when Ed Sanford threaded a ball through to the Gaffer whose volley just rose over the bar. Despite the early pressure, however, it was MSFC who took the lead when a well angled shot skidded across the dust bowl and on into the side netting passed the outstretched glove of Jamie Wightman. Rising to the challenge like a drunk in a brothel, it was to be the start of a great match for the young goalie who repeatedly kept TFC in the game, and thus justifably was unaminously elected to receive 'Nick Bourne's Ring' at the end of the match. To explain, the Ring was found by Nick after which it was decided that it should be presented as a man of the match award. Thus after the game Nick gave his ring to Jamie, having come across it, whilst being up front.

Going a goal down seemed to spur the Tractors into action and very soon they were back in the match. Breaking from the right via George, a goal mouth scramble saw Dave equalise from the left hand goal line. As if not to be outdone, Ed Sanford then did the same from the right as the TFC strife force did their bit for the Gaffer. The third, however, and Dave's second, was the pick of the bunch. Guy popped up in the centre and taking the ball, ran at the opposition. To his left Max Bains cried for the ball and recieved it on the edge of the box. Seemingly teeing up for a shot, Max fooled everyone by brilliantly skidding the ball off to the right hand touch line with the outside of his right boot. Bournie picked it up, flew it in the mixer and a bemused Dave knocked it over the line for his second and a two goal advantage.

Leaving the team unchanged at half time, the defence stayed solid as first the Gaffer pushed one of them over, and then Nick went one better by holding up the ball in the box. Seeing red, the young center back was only too happy to see the resultant penalty kick launched half way down Ilchester road. It was a narrow escape in a close match where MSFC held much of the posession. Mid way through the second half the Gaffer put TFC two ahead once again and though they came back to 4/3, it was the Tractors who exhaustedly celabrated a fine three pointed crop in the end. After the game all the players signed autographs for the fans who turned up to watch the game. Rhodi, Donna, Billy - we salute you!

For the Tractors: Jamie Wightman, Nick NB, George, Jamie, Guy Tobin, Saddam, Gaffer[1], Nick Bourne, Max Bains, Dazzle[2], Ed Sanf[1]