Thurs 06-05-2010 - Fulbourn 1st Team 1v0 Lakenheath (H)
Another sunny but cool evening for the last game of the season which was the title decider with a win or draw needed.
A strong wind was blowing down the pitch and Lakenheath had the advantage but they were unable to use it, over-hitting their passes forward without much threat.
A slow start by Fulbourn who began to up the tempo after 10 minutes and Fearo got the ball in front of their goal but for once fluffed his shot. We were beginning to look the more dangerous team and the breakthrough came shortly after 30 minutes when Joey put Fearo through and he pushed it into the path of Ben who slid it in. It then began to look as if we would win this game comparatively easily as lots of chances came and went with not much reply. It seemed as if we were a bit over eager to wrap the game up and together with numerous offside’s we conspired to miss them all.
It was just before half time when the frustrated opposition decided that some rough stuff was the only way to beat us and a series of over enthusiastic tackles began to emerge.
Half time came and went and it was still all Fulbourn with our defence snuffing out any foray in the last third with ease and our forwards mounting attack after attack without being able to increase the score. As the game moved into the last 20 minutes Lakenheath, who are always a physical team who like to use the elbow, turned on the hard stuff to try to unsettle us. This together with their unsavoury bunch of supporters trying to unsettle the referee and linesmen by their continual barracking and abuse.
The ref. went over to the bench at one stage to remonstrate with the visiting manager who was being particularly abusive. Unfortunately this all began to sour what should have been a well fought contest and it culminated in their number six completely losing his head and wanting to take on the whole Fulbourn team in fisticuffs. He was duly sent off to more howls of indignation from the loathsome band that calls themselves football supporters and follow Lakenheath.
There was really never any doubt that we were going to get the result and win the game, not having to rely on a draw and goal difference to get the top spot once again.
It was a pity we had to play against such a team of bad losers but at the end they were dismissed and the celebrations could begin in earnest.
This has been a particularly hard fought campaign with Fulbourn having to play sometimes three times a week but their skill and fitness took them through twenty straight wins since February to clinch the title.
Sadly this was probably Dave Abbs last game in charge as he has decide to step down but he will hand on the vastly experienced Chris Tovey. He will I am sure hold the team together and with his contacts even strengthen what is probably the finest squad of players ever to grace the Cambs League
Report Dave Bradford