Report by Dave 'Gazelle' Braddick (Drummond's Chief Football Writer)
31/8/2002 D.A.F.C. 0 - Waterloo 5
Following the fine win against Johnson & Phillips, Drummond were in high spirits. Next up, Premier side Waterloo. Another good turn out by Drummond was marred by the lack of options between the sticks. However, Dave ‘Gazelle’ Braddick stepped forward and volunteered to go in goal. One notable absentee was Steve Simpson, missing with a broken nail!
Right from the start Drummond were outplayed and outrun by their illustrious opponents, the first goal coming with only fifteen minutes on the clock. Good interplay and precision passing saw the ball finally finding its way out to the left where the unmarked (if only Neil ‘The Jap’ Mulford had tracked him back!) Waterloo forward despatched the ball with a venom, that left the Gazelle with no chance.
Goal number two followed a sloppy clearance by Jamie ‘Scooter Boy’ Walker which was pounced upon by the opposition forward who raced into the box, pursued by Lawrence ‘Speedy Gonzales’ Mills and slotted the ball calmly past the advancing keeper. A further well-worked goal by Waterloo left the half time score 3-0 in the visitors favour.
The gaffer, Peter ‘Silverback’ Neville, tried lifting the spirits with some well-chosen words and a few changes. John ‘Fat Boy’ Pullen entered the fray and it was good to see him back after a long injury lay-off.
Despite the fine words and team changes Waterloo carried on where they left off and soon made it 4-0, charging through the middle to leave the Gazelle with little chance from another one on one.
Drummond were offered a lifeline late in the game when they were awarded a penalty. With the regular penalty taker in goal (!) Sean Joyce stepped up to take the spot kick. But Pullen grabbed the ball, placed it, picked his spot and what a surprise – missed!
By the 80th minute Drummond were looking defeated and very tired, it was no surprise when Waterloo got their fifth goal following a series of corners.
The game finished as it started Drummond chasing shadows and out-played by a very good Waterloo side.
Team: D Braddick 8, L Mills 6, J Walker 5, T Northover 6, N Mulford 6, P Braddick 6, S Joyce 6, R Anderson 6, P Wells 6, T Bellamy 6, K Neville 6 Subs: J Pullen 5, M Bunten 6, D Purcell 6, S Braddick 6
Referee: P Lawson 8
Attendance: 15
The views/opinions expressed in this article are the
views of the reporter and do not represent official club opinion