Just found this hiding in my draft emails file and thought I would post it here.

The Cricketers were beaten 7-3 by Tilted Barrel in the Senior Challenge Cup in the first match of their trilogy. For anyone unaware of the Tilted Barrel situation, just imagine 8 Manchester United first-teamers realise that there are now a couple of better teams in their division so they all sign for Rochdale cos they can't hack it at the highest level anymore, and can't take not winning every week. Well substitute Swigs for Man Utd and Tilted Barrel for Rochdale and you've got a good idea of the task The Cricks had to face. With keeper Rick Hogdson still drunk in bed at kick-off time (have a couple less shandys next week Oddy), it was left to Olly Boyd to don the gloves. Danny Grant and Jamie Humberston were also unavailable so Cricks lined up with an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation and this showed as Barrel went 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes. Firstly Cricks failed to clear a corner and the ball eventually ended up in the back of the net, and then a good passing move by Barrel found a player unmarked in the area and he had the simple task of placing the ball in the back of the net. Cricks then began to settle and started playing some good stuff and deservedly reduced the deficit when a long throw by Liam Robinson was helped on firstly by Nick Rook and then Lee Darwood, to the head of Steve Smith who nodded the ball wide of the Barrel keeper. Barrel restored their 2 goal lead though just before half time when Robbie Blake was given too much room in the area and his low shot found the corner of the net despite Boyd getting a hand to it. Right on half time Cricks almost snatched a second but Mike Jacksons rasping drive brought a great fingertip save from the Barrel keeper.

Cricks started the second half brightly and were begining to get on top, Lee Darwood up front, in particular, was causing the Barrel defence all sorts of problems. Darwood had one great run when he beat 3 Barrel players but his shot was weak and straight at the keeper and Danny Hornigold whislted a long range effort just wide. Cricks made it 3-2 with as good a goal scored on any pitch this weekend, when Hornigold picked up the ball in midfield rode one challenge and beat a further two men before playing the ball wide to Robinson on the right wing. Robinson sped down the wing holding off a Barrel defender before putting over a great cross which Darwood met with a stunning volley into the roof of the net. Cricks were now playing some great passing football and sensed they could get back on level terms, but the game changed on one incident. Hornigold was taken out from behind in the middle of the park and with The Cricks players stopping expecting a free-kick (yeah. yeah, I know you should play to the whistle), ref Dave Clarke waved play-on and Barrel went straight up the other end to make it 4-2. From the restart Cricks lost possession and Barrel went forward and bang , another goal, 5-2 and from being well in with a chance, Cricks were down and out, game over, within a couple of minutes. Barrel then notched a sixth before Darwood grabbed Cricks third when he dispossesed a Barrel defender and struck a great shot which gave the keeper no chance. Robinson then put a good chance wide for Cricks after being played in by Darwood as Cricks continued to press, but late in the game Simon Treacher was left horrible exposed at the back and Robbie Blake held off his challenge to get the final goal of the game.  Cricks can take a lot of positives from this game. Not many teams will score 3 goals against Tilted Barrel this season and with a stand-in keeper and their two most creative midfielders missing, Cricks more than held their own until the non-free kick decision that changed the game. Next week these two teams meet again in the league, hopefully Cricks will be back to full strength for this one.

That must have been a sight to see Les "Simon Treacher horribly exposed at the back"  

Hae you seen the shorts we make him wear every week Jim.    

Quote :

LesBrechin wrote : Hae you seen the shorts we make him wear every week Jim.

Darent even imagine them.

Less of it shisters! Robbie actually connected with an elbow as he let fly and nearly took me head off...........didn't stop me drinking in the Cricks though!  

have u put more wieght on since that picture was takin in the cricks treach?? danny grant is all grown up now bless him playin for us

I am a well rounded individual m8ty! Both physcologically and physically........which is probably the long way round to saying yeah more than likely  

Good player Danny Grant........but as the young 'uns rise, so the fossils begin to consider retirement from the beautiful game!