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Tractor FC [4] v's Jessel FC [4], 28th February, 2005.
Injury time thriller saves Jessel's blushes from a real thrashing!
By Jessel gaffer Shilly
More reminiscent of a scene from C S Lewis' Narnia than a 7 a-side football pitch, the long awaited re-match between the mighty Tractor FC and the beloved Jessel Athletic took place on Monday night. After losing 6-5 last time out Jessel where out to exact revenge on Phil Norman-Butlers well oiled team. First blood went to the Jessel as only 6 Tractorians turned up to play at the Battersea pitch. This advantage however was not apparent as Tractor dominated early play with a slicker more measured passing flow. This pressure turned to points as Ed Suckling pulled the stings in midfield and there was only so much the excellent Paton and Campbell could take.
1-0 became 2 as Wilkins plied his trade up front and with assists from Norman-Butler, Robson and Jessel. This did at least wake the Jessel who where looking a bit too aerial to be threatening and a goal against the run of play after slick movement from Innes and Pirrie let the Jessel in to half the Tractors advantage. After some hard tackles, an occasional raised arm and some friendly handbagging the Tractor FC took their lead back to 3 after some poor goalkeeping from Shillington. Luckily he made amends with a goal soon after but essentially it all seemed too late for the Jessel as Suckling and Nelson made them look fairly ordinary at times. Luckily Jessel's ever resilient defence and a resurgent Melville kept Jessel's heads above water until a injury-time cross found a flailing foot and the Jessel scraped a draw out of this hugely enjoyable game.
Monday saw the first ever snowy conditions at Plough Lane!
Until next time. Thanks all ....
For TFC:Gaffer, Ed, Robbo, Bobby, Adam, Wilko
For Bench:Shilly, Paddy, Ed Spear, Wilkins, Steve
