__________________________________________________

Tractor FC [11] v's Shagadelic [8], 11th November, 2002.
Grudge Match Ends In Tears
Match Report by Rob Nelson

Bristol isn't known as a great footballing city. Shagadelic's performance on Monday 18th November will not threaten this reputation. Criticised by many for resting on their laurels after their seminal season 2000/01, 'The Shag' languished at the wrong end of the premier league in Bristol's Intra-Mural competition for much of 2001/02. Undaunted by the fearsome track record of the Tractor Boys the Clifton based team laboured up to Battersea (via Vauxhall in some cases) to fight it out on the hallowed tarmac of 'the millennium pitch'.

Kick off was delayed due to the late arrival of SEVERAL delic players but having persuaded ed Sanford to part with his beloved tractor strip and don the dark blue uniform of the opposition we were ready for the off. Not five minutes into the match the visitors were dealt a cruel blow. After a piercing run down the centre of the park by the tractor's skipper the ball eventually bobbled back to the Ed 'the hands' Franklin who bent down to retrieve. Unbeknownst to the keeper the 8 year old spinal injury that had plagued him since his days in the junior reserves was about to resurface. Paralysed by the trapped nerve Franklin managed to shuffle off to the relative comfort of the kit bags and a roll-up fag.

Shagadelic battled on without their first choice keeper for the remainder of the match but never looked at their best. Sure, there were moments of brilliance from the midfield dynamos of Neuberger and Halcrow and some accurate crossing from old guard Evans and Short but the tourists lacked stamina and the early lead that they had built with a considerable amount of help from the turncoat Sanford looked in jeopardy. Fletcher and 'Rooney' Robinson provided the London boys with some valuable experience on the flanks whilst Robson, Norman Butler and Goad dominated in midfield.

Suckling's strength in central defence proved unshakable and although goals were scored the ratio of attacking runs to shots on target speaks volumes about the tractors ability to repel the inadequate advances of a team playing below par. Man of the match goes to Robert Bowen who gave us all a lesson in precision passing and tireless stamina. Congratulations Rob. Shagadelic could have felt aggrieved at being a man down for much of the match but it was stamina that they needed rather than numbers.

For the Tractors: Ed, Gaffer, Robbo, Rob Bowen, Dave, Adam, Fletch
For the Shags: Rob Nelson, Ed Franklin, Ed Sanf. et al....