Reds savour cup glory

Grafton 2 PFFC 8

Owen, 3 December 2006

 

If our first cup match was a damp squib, then this was a Ronnie Radford rocket. Cleverly Philosophy had lulled Grafton into a false sense of security before this cup encounter in East Dulwich by losing to them 4-2 in a friendly back in September.

There was to be no repeat of that debacle. PFFC played as if there lives depended on it, indeed their cup lives almost certainly did! With some new, young gunslingers added to the team in the shape of Ally's friend, Kofi, and Jimmy and Ian, brought in by Andy, PFFC had a balanced side. However, without a 'professional' keeper available, big Brian admirably volunteered to go between the sticks.

From the kick-off PFFC dominated, with veteran Richard back and causing the Grafton defence all kinds of problems and, after debutant Jimmy had opened the scoring, Richard added a spectacular 25-yard curling shot into the top corner to make it 2-0, leaving their keeper forlorn. added a neat side-footer before half time to make it 3-0, and PFFC were coasting at the break.

However, the evergreen Barry notched for Grafton immediately after the restart to shock the Reds into action. With some sublime attacking football and some accurate shooting Richard, Ian – with his head – and Jimmy added to the score line before the most audacious goal of the day was scored by a Grafton midfielder from 35 yards to lob the 6’5” Brian in goal. At first even the referee didn't notice it had gone in, such was the surprise.

No bother though, PFFC stuck to their task, and Andy then Ally duly finished the game off with a long range speciality and a well crafted move ending with skipper Clow finishing from distance.

Some excellent debuts from the new lads who fitted in perfectly although on reflection it was a great team performance played in the right spirit (as were the majority of our games in the old Grafton Millennium League). Also an honourable mention for the support of Rob the Cat, Tom and Alfie and a dishonourable mention to the food service in the after-match pub.

 

PFFC (4-4-2): Brian; Arliss, Ian, Kofi, Owen; Andy, Ally, Dodo (Pena 65), Richard; Jimmy, José.

Goalscorers: José, Richard 2, Jimmy 2, Andy, Ally, Ian. Score: 8-2 (3-0).