__________________________________________________

Tractor FC [7] v's El Presedente's MSFC [6], 18th February, 2002.
Tractorets lap up 'Bread and Butter' performance

Despite all the usual preparations at Portnam Road last night, it was an unusually dry pitch that met the players in the rematch between El Presedente's MS Team and the Tractor Boys. After a bitter defeat at the hands of TFC one month ago tempers had been running high with El Presedente himself full of vitriolic self-belief claiming in the mid- week interview, 'we'll spread it wide, lay it on thick and slice through you like a knife through butter. You're toast!', he'd scoffed.

'I wasn't much impressed', replied Tractor coach Gaffer on hearing the news, 'but I know it'll only makes the lads all the more keen on whooping them come Monday night!'

With a full stadium of 22,567 blue clad fans, the match got off to a late start after the MSFC coach broke down (apparently due to stress related problems), at ten pass seven. Initially going a goal down to a well taken deflection, TFC clawed it back to all square with a swiftly struck swooping goal from Tractor new boy, Ben 'Hawky' Hawks. Hawky, playing for the first time in a Tractor top (the orange and black was in fact borrowed from last seasons Cropa America range for all those that were wondering), was ecstatic to see his darting run earn a mark on the sheet. Even the TFC statistics show that he's the first player (in existing memory) to score an opening goal in his debut match, since the very first game.

A close competition ensued in which Tractor FC continually held onto a one-goal lead and when the exact state of play was in doubt, even turned up the pressure to score two quick goals in order to settle the discussion. On the right Mika's hold on corners continued to trouble their team whilst Guy, Harry, Oli and Saddam all produced silky runs in the box.

Presently on loan, Crispy Del Crispio impressed the TFC playing staff with his commitment by failing to tackle anyone, and the Gaffer has expressed a keen will to meet his contractual obligations over kiddies merchandising rights if it means keeping him at the club.

'That was a vintage performance', cooed sweeping specialist Harry Goad from the Portman Road car park. 'It's a pleasure to play in a team that shows such good balance and consistently manages to perform. It's clearly a sector leader and in the capable hands of John Deere, I'd have to give it a strong 'BUY' rating'. TFC shares rose 2 ½ p to 376 ¾ p at news of the victory.

For the Tractors: Mika, Saddam, Ben, Phil, Oli, Harry, Guy