Craig Smith?s All Stars 4
Mark Wall?s Wanderers 4
THIS annual match is normally held on Cup Final day, but due to the Carlsberg squad being away this weekend on a ?cultural? tour of Torquay studying the growth of yeast, hops and grapes, the game was brought forward.
Both sides had unusual line-ups with keeper Andy Meeds playing out wide on the right, Craig Howells, the second team keeper, also fancying his chances playing up front, and defender Craig Hodge inbetween the sticks. Darren Babb also decided he had had enough of running and was holder of the gloves for Wall?s side.
The heavy weight of management plus an old injury proved too much for Smith and it was merely a cameo part that he played as he limped off with just ten minutes gone.
It was a fairly even close half but just after the interval Smith?s side took the initiative. Howell?s low drive from out wide left Babb grasping thin air.
Within a minute Meeds cut in from the left to send in a shot that took a slight deflection but it was enough to thwart Babb again.
Meeds got his second a little later and it looked all over, but Wall?s side responded with a great comeback. John Campbell curled in a shot that left Hodge stranded, Pete Gibson got a second with a fierce drive that took a deflection and got back on level terms as Mike Bluett ran through to score. Campbell combined with his son Tom for the latter to deceive Hodge and put them ahead for the first time.
But Smith?s side drew level as Meeds went tumbling in the area and the splash from the dive drowned almost everyone except referee Eric Pinch who gave the spot kick. Up stepped Smith?s replacement, his father Gerry, to chip Babb style. There was just enough time for the game to be restarted before Eric blew the whistle for full time.
l The Red and Black will be open this evening for the Thursday Club.