I am not sure where to start with this match report.  The beer was on the line once again as was our pride after losing our 3 year perfect record versus the Shane earlier this season (and after our shambolic performance last week against the Eagles).

Former captain and four time player of the year Paul Carstairs came back for a cameo appearance to provide a boost to the squad and Paul Hemingway passed a late fitness test when the fever in his toe was determined to have gone down enough to allow him to play.

We started very brightly (particularly Francois who was first man to the pitch on Sunday; wearing giant gold trousers, a silver vest, gold tails and a top hat… very bright indeed!)  Nick Crisci (man of the match) was all over the pitch, making tackles (!?!?!) and generally causing problems for the Shane with or without the ball.

The first chance of the game fell to us when Ricky exchanged a one-two with Francois and then slipped between the defenders and buried a shot in the corner.  Simple, beautiful, 1 – 0.

We were brilliant in defense, quickly stifling them all over the pitch and leaving little room for them to play.  Carl Blundon did a great job of harrying their main attacking threat and everyone else filled in with tireless effort.

Some neat passing put Nik Denser through on goal but the Shane boys could not cope with his pace and dragged him back for a penalty.  His first effort hit the bar/post but fortunately we were awarded a re-take which he dispatched effortlessly (but not without worry from me!) into the goal.

The second half began with a bang as quickly Dan Calvert robbed two Shane defenders and banged two goals in 5 minutes to put us 4 – 0 up and send Raymond after the beer.  A few minutes later the hat trick was complete as Nik slid in the pass of the year to send Dan through, 5 – 0 and you couldn’t keep Raymond out of the beer now.

There was no let down from anyone in the squad though.  At every chance we harried the Shane into mistakes and frustration, leaving them no where to go and no where to pass to.  Off a corner Mike O’Gorman made it 6 with a clinical finish and then Alberto wrapped up the spoils with a chipped goal (would you expect anything else from him!)

Thanks to everyone for making it a memorable day in the clubs history and slightly assuaging the pain of previous results.