Redstar Smarts News Football Club travelled to pastures new in the preliminary round of the Memorial Cup to take on an unbeaten league Division 7 outfit in the guise of Bar DN31 FC where the College ground was the venue. This was a pitch that during their 10 year existence, Team Redstar had never played on. Redstar were without the centreback duo of Gavin Johnstone and Snowy Edwards so had to make do with Players player of the year Dave Duff and Nick Woods who shifted along the line from his rightback position, allowing Mark Broderick to slot in. Bright sunshine and calm but chilly conditions greeted both sets of players as a DN31 representative blew his whistle to start the game with, yet again, no appearance from an official referee. It was the home side that had the better of the opening period and indeed enjoyed more possesion than their higher leagued opponents. Infact in true giant killing fashion, DN31 took the lead when a loose ball ended up at the feet of Chris Heron who ,on the run, spanked a 20 yard rocket which arrowed into Marco Sotgiu's top corner. DN31 continued to expolit Redstar's fullbacks and time and time again put in good early balls which were either cut out by Sotgiu's alertness or had a shade too much weight on them. Eventually, Redstar got themselves more and more involved in the game and began to take over the midfield area which was marshalled by Ian Blackmore. Still they had to be aware of the pace of DN31's widemen who were seemingly growing in confidence as the game progressed. After a couple of half chances, the Smarts News men finally got themselves on level terms. A corner was floated in by John Conroy which was flicked on at the near post where Blackmore was waiting to pounce and he volleyed the ball into the roof of the net. Luke Borrill then had the next chance of the game when he steamed clear but decided to hit an early shot, only to see it cannon off the post much to the relief of the stranded DN31 keeper. The halftime break came and went with both management teams knowing the game was there for the taking. Within minutes of the restart though it was Redstar that struck after they caught DN31 with a classic counter which ended up with Borrill skipping to the byline and supplying Danny Mccann who smashed home from a yard out. In a bizarre 10 minute spell of total football, Redstar soon found themselves 4-1 to the good when 1st Borrill slammed past the DN31 keeper and then Conroy beat the offside trap and collected a through ball on the run before finishing well despite the keeper doing his best to get something on the ball. Then, as happens all too often, lazyness set into the Redstar camp as if the job was done. Too many players looking for glory instead of tracking back and defending spells big trouble in little China and before they knew it DN31 had clawed their way back from the dead to only being 1 goal behind. The customary own goal started them on their way with Broderick and Ross Atmore getting themselves into a mighty pickle before a panic striken Redstar boot scrambled the ball into their own net. Minutes later, a freekick was needlesly conceded on the edge of the Redstar box and as the wall did its job, the ball somehow found the feet of that man Heron again to grab his 2nd of the game and spark the comeback. Fortunatly the whole of the Redstar boys are better at attacking than defending as a team and on yet another breakaway, James Sutton galloped past his marker, got to the byline and supplied Conroy who made no mistake for his 10th goal of the season. With 20 minutes to go, Lee Ford returned to the Smarts News team after breaking his foot for the 2nd time in pre season, replacing Sutton who had worked his socks off on the right flank. Ford was then robbed of a comeback goal when he curled a pearler into the top corner only for the linesman to cut his and his teammates celebrations short. At the other end, keeper Sotgiu smoothered a couple of 1 on 1's which DN31 should've took more advantage of but with 10 minutes remaining they looked out on their feet and jaded. The final goal of the game was a delight to watch as Ford picked up the ball down the right. He then played an inch perfect 30 yard crossfield ball which dropped millimetres over the defenders head and was taken in his stride by Gary Cox who rounded the DN31 keeper and found the onion bag. The game ended with both teams shaking hands in a hard but sporting cup tie and DN31 wished Redstar the best of luck for the next round. The stand in official bossed the game superbly and DN31 have won a huge amount of respect from Redstar and no doubt will finish near the top of Division 7 on that showing. Man of the Match for Redstar was Ian Blackmore who ran the game as though he had the captains armband on all afternoon, arise vice captain Ollie!!!

chifmister ... thats the most honest report ive heard in a long time hats off to you mate    

cheers Pete all we needed was you reffing and it wouldve rounded the day off perfect