String Penelope left singing with the fishes

The mighty 3rds started this match in dire need of all three points against a team already doomed to Division 5 football next season. Well against String Penelope, after the first match that apparently we had dominated only to run out 2-1 losers, it was time to step it up a bit. In keeping with the ladies lingerie theme James decided to wear his brand new ruby slippers and g-string. The 3rds line-up was strengthened by Phil (joining his younger brother, George) along with Vito and Luis from the 4ths and the mood was upbeat as we ran on to the pitch.

The game started brightly, no real threats from the opposition's attack and some surging runs down both flanks from Phil and Luis were causing a lot of problems to String Penelope's defence. It seemed only a matter of time before BUFC scored and the first goal came from a neatly worked free-kick. The ball was floated into the penalty area from just inside the half-way line, flicked on by Ray and then hammered into the net from 6 yards by Vito. By now a huge support had amassed on the touch-line (huge by Abssa standards anyway) and the chants of 'Vito, Vito' were reminiscent of scenes from the Godfather. Expanding on the Godfather link String Penelope were well and truly 'singing with the fishes' five minutes after half-time when Rog, having just entered in to the fray, ran on to an exquisite through ball from Oli and slotted the ball calmly home. From now on it was one-way traffic, Vito now playing at right-back was provoking screams of agony from the oppositions left whinger with perfectly clean well-timed tackles and was by no means the hatchet-man they were trying to portray. James anticipation of a high bounce did make us wonder if he was somewhere over the rainbow, but now it was time for the Coldrick bruvs to make their mark. It was the classic 'smash and grab' job; cleanly executed with no time to respond. The third goal was a superb individual effort from George after taking on two defenders before planting into the corner from 20 yards. The fourth a sweet-as-nut left foot drive (poetic license) from Phil which was just reward for his MOM performance.

4-0 up for the first time in several seasons it was time for the whole team to really start enjoying themselves. Jon E felt lonely in goal and could easily have read the proverbial book he allegedly always carries with him but he was taken by surprise by a speculative 30 yard lob, as String Penelope netted a consolation goal just before the final whistle.

A great result made even sweeter after hearing Comp Cinema had lost which meant that one more victory from the last two games should result in survival.