Match Reports
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Tractor FC XI [1] v's Vipers FC XI [3], 27th April 2003
TFC punnished at Wormwood Scrubs


The following is a report of the TFC v's Viper match taken from the Vipers web site, Viperfc.co.uk. It is, you will all agree, great.... but so inaccurate it hurts! For a start I would like to point out that we were misssing one man for the entire first half after Tom 'the clock' Wilkins got the wrong time, and Ewan confessed to being indisposed after a night out with Bosnich and John Terry in the Wellingtin Club.

Trevor Tremayne (his father) reports from his viewpoint (a cell window at Wormwood Scrubs).
Terrible pitch, Terrible finishing, Terrible defending, Great Result was how Vipers midfielder Olly Battersby described it.
It was a momentous occasion prior to kick off with the travelling fans (and prisoners) welcoming James Fraser back for his first appearance in a Vipers shirt for eleven months. He played well but agreed afterward that he was somewhat lacking in fitness.
The first half started at a pace with the Vipers making some surging runs up the left. Harley, who had been left out of the side on the previous two occasions, was keen to make an impact and the Gaffer seemed to notice his impressive work rate.
The Tractors posed little threat early on and the Vipers pressure was converted into a goal after just seven minutes when Dinger slotted home his second chance of the day (1-0). This seemed to wake up the Tractor Boys and they counter attacked. The Gaffer, swapping places with Purny (who had injured his hand but not his feet), had to make a few saves but let one slip after 15 mins and the ball crept over the line just before the Dufster could get to it.
The pendulum swung the other way and seven mins later Dinger restored the vipers lead with a decent volley.
With the Tractors energy being sapped into the wormwood pitch, Harleys fitness training paid dividends as he managed to fire a shot low into the bottom left on 36 mins (3-1)
The second half is probably best forgotten as the game deteriorated in a game more fit for amateurs. Both sides missed a number of sitters, notable for the Vipers were squandered chances from both Battersby & Frey (each time one on one with the keeper) and the Gaffer (who managed to nip the ball over the post from 1/2 a yard)
It was a bit of makeshift Vipers side but Duff Gordon impressed and Purney, at right back, showed he can play as well as he keeps.
Team Viper: James Purnell, Gaffer, Tris, Eddy T, Dougal, Duff, Matty Lloyd, Olly Batt, Miles Harley, James Fraser & Jan D
Team TFC: Gaffer, Adam, Guy, Tim, Nick, Oli Craig, Wilko, Robbo, James.