Grasshoppers 2 Wombles 1

1. Kris “French” Lines
2. Joe “White Trainers” Johnson
3. Mark “Shinpad” Wingrave
4. Flaser “Flaser” Gascoyne
5. Jason “Get Up You C@nt!” Owen
6. Simon “Don’t Turn Your Back on Me” Trussler
7. Neil “Sniper” Lewis
8. Phil “Thunderbolt” Littlewood
9. Scott “Pure Berba” Eason
10. Neil “Tevez” McDermott
11. Ali “Kitman” McDermott
12. Murray “Continuity” Gascoyne

Scorer : Berba

MOM : The clubs first ever electronic vote took place with a very close run thing between Nase and Kris on 4 votes each. The deciding vote was Nase who voted for Kris - Wombles honesty at its best!

The Wombles had the worst possible start on their visit to table toppers Grasshoppers when the kit was late and a couple of players (not for the first time) dropped out at the last minute – at least the fines should be a beneficiary. With the kit arriving late there wasn’t a lot of time to warm up and there was a surprise in store with Ronnie dropping to right full back and Nasal making his long awaited first start up front.

The bobbly pitch caused both teams to struggle to get it down but still managed to create chances with the home sides big striker going close on a number of occassions when he really should have done better, and the visitors showing glimpses of quality which was putting the Hoppers defence under pressure. It was the home side who took the lead though when their midfielder hit an unstoppable shot from range into the top left hand corner of the net. The Wombles almost levelled when a well taken Slinky corner led to some pinball in the box but Truss’s goal bound shot was deflected off the line for another corner.

Half time came and the Wombles could be pleased with more than matching their high flying opponents – the defence looked reasonably solid with Joe and Winners (who got away with one of the latest and clumsyest challenge since, er Jason’s last one) fitting in well and there were signs of promise going forward.

The Wombles levelled shortly into the second half when a diagonal ball was played in and with his first touch of the game Eason headed home at the far post. The Wombles almost took the lead shortly after when Lewy played the ball into the near post to Nasal who turned it back to Weave who was well placed to bullet a shot at the keeper – unfortunately he decided placement would be better and the shot (speed recorded at 0.27 miles per hour) went straight into the grateful keepers hands.

The lack of a warm up was starting to show and a burst of pace from Lewy was ended by a loud scream as he fell to the floor clutching his thigh. As the game was played at the Police station it was assumed that a stray bullet had hit the Gaffa but it turned up he had pulled what one could only assume is the only muscle in his body! With the Wombles having made their only sub shortly before, Lewy was forced to amble around up front with Nase reverting to right back.

The Wombles still pushed forward but were lucky on a number of occassions defensively as the opposition striker continued to be thwarted at the hands of some good keeping from Linesy and his own personal nightmare in front of goal. As the clock ticked down the skipper also pulled up with an injury (karma for his attitude to Lewys injury?) but fought on bravely and the home side got a corner with what would surely be the last kick of the game. The ball was knocked over and Winners slipped and his player got between Nasal and Linesy to head home the winner.

Another good performance from the Wombles with a number of players missing. Roll on next week and the chance for revenge against Polish Champions.