This Finally, today's the day, after being cancelled more times than the mandatory STD tests at the annual Mes Amis players' medical the Supercalifragi-Hong-Kong-Legal-League-Champions-League-Cup-Final-2005/2006 was on. And here we are on the pristine, weed free, sand free, well-manicured (artificial) turf of Kowloon Tsai. Lovely. The Spartans at near full strength and Mes Amis at near full strength, with this being a Cup Final and League double header, the teams seem to be in the mood. Both keen to keep their respective team's unbeaten start to the season. As Leslie Philips would say "Ding . Dong".

Kick off and - unlike their other 2 starts this season ­it's Mes Amis that get of to a flyer. Within the first 5 minutes Phil Dowding drags a shot wide after some clever movement from the Mes MVP score getters Stew 'Woodwork' McInnes and Henry Turner.Then 3 pinpoint crosses are whipped in only for McInnes, Turner & Tommy Smith Jnr to miss from seemingly impossible to miss positions, the silly missers. Will they rue these chances later in the game? After a subdued start, the Spartans begin to stir, with some extra grit in their midfield they easily see out the rest the half.

At the beginning of the 2nd half the Spartans introduce a few clever substitutions and they nearly catch Mes Amis off guard. With some pace injected into the team, this time it's the Sparts that squander a couple of chances in front of the Mes goal. The best chance bringing a fine save from Superhands Lee Brown to keep the score level.

All even then with two thirds of the game gone.

On 60 minutes Steven "The Enforcer" Crane crosses the ball to Turner who in turns directs it towards the Spartan's goal mouth. After one massive mix-up Dowding finds himself in the right place at the right time for a tap in. Surely this was Pipes Dowding's most important goal since he signed from Mes Amis's feeder club, Wanderers.

But what happened exactly? Just like the JFK single bullet - nobody seems to know. Fumble. Nut. Face. Back and to the left. Goal Fumble. Nut. Face. Back and to the left. Goal Fumble. Nut. Face. Back and to the left. Goal Who was the man on the grassy knoll? Why was that guy holding an umbrella? Get out the Zapruder 8mm film, this is killing me!

Mes went in search for the killer 2nd. Same move again as Superbrum Craney released the ball to Turner who in turn set off down the right ­ he's brought down, rather unceremoniously ­ free kick to the Mes outside the area. Everyone was expecting a ball into the area when, before you could say "Roy Race's famous Racey Rocket", the ball was in the back of the net. Dowdinho again.

Dowding capped his sizzling performance in the centre of the park with a laser-pinpoint left pin punt into the onion bag. Certainly one of the goals for this AND last season. In 10 years of playing soccer with Dowding It was the 1st time that this writer had seen one of those go in; those words were no use though to despondent Spartan's keeper.

Just where is McInnes when all of this is happening I hear all you Fantasy Football enthusiasts ask? Well . Could Mes get a 3rd? More decent build up leaves McInnes with a chance to put on his best Bay City Roller platforms and get on the dancefloor. After a fine shuffle and spank, McInnes hits the woodwork for the 92nd Mes Amis game in a row.

Mes hoped that the 2nd goal would crush Spartans spirits. No. Deary me.

Cue the best football produced by the Spartans all afternoon, this at the exact same time Mes Amis were at their most tired. McEntee, Ross, Smith, and Rowland had run themselves into the ground ­ the appearance of Nick Forsey and Bell help prop up the Mes stamina level for while. However, without young Smith Jnr to track back ­ Tim Murphy had the freedom to roam the right wing. Ashley Bell ­ under the instructions / cries to "back off" from Superhands Brown ­ gave Murphy the space to deliver a perfect cross into the Mes box. Medi Sehil was there to connect. Bang. 2 -1. game on. Great move.

Spartans seized on this lifeline and attacked with further gusto. Further chances go amiss­ maybe big game nerves? Only kidding! Mes hold on for time with some clever work down the right by Craney. With only seconds to go the Spartans had a last gasp chance to equalize and force the game to penalties. Bang. A beautiful shot heading towards the top left. Unfortunately ­for the Spartans Brown was there to make a magnificent save.

Mes win finally win Silverware!

Best quote of the day - Ste "10 years" Tew Mom ­ It has to be hasn't it? Double goal hero Phil Pipes 'Laser' Piper Dowding. 

Cheers Yip(py)(o)(ster).

 

Cup final Day--- 21-10-06

Finally the day the Spartans had been waiting for came.. CUP FINAL DAY.

It seemed as though this game was destined not to ever take place as I had two good knees when the first date was scheduled..then I had one..and still the game was called off thks to the rain.went back home got an operation done came back on crutches.lost the crutches and then finally..where was i? Yes. Cup final day.

This was the big one.parents were flown in from all over the world to Kowloon Tsai Park..better halfs were present.the Spartans had a huge army of players ready.there were no excuses.

The gaffer named the first eleven to do battle leaving behind another eleven on the bench. The first half was something best forgotten as we lost every battle and Mes Amis could have scored four goals easily but they did not.somehow we did not concede. There is really not much to say about the first half..the less said the better.  

The second half though was another story. We attacked from the start and came close with numerous oppurtunities. The Spartans were revitalised by the oranges that Zoe' had provided during half time.that had to be the only explanation. all the early pressure amounted to nothing as Mes Amis scored on the break.1-0 down 25 mins to go. Soon after another goal from a cheeky freekick that had Rich flying ( not!)  to his left but to no avail. 2-0 nil down, 20 mins left. To tell you the truth that was when the champange started to flow. the ladies decided it was the end of the Spartans and I took a glass and drank it all at one go to ease the pain..,But to be fair changes were introduced and the Spartans gave it all they had in the dying mins. Murphy put in a good cross and Mehdi was there to place the ball in. 2-1 win 10 mins to go!!! I limped back to the ladies and told them to stop drinking and save some bubbly as the Spartans might get one more!!! Everybody had a go..chance after chance.too little too late though.when the ref blew the final whistle. tears came out of Paul Hoy's eyes.wait a minute.wrong game.that was on a Sunday.after Liverpool lost again.oh well!!

A very quiet affair followed at the stag after.. Watching a few doped up Pakis running.or was it the Aussies getting hammered by the English? Who knows really..

Life goes on guys..Mes Amis will cross our paths again.and this time please at least get a couple yellow cards.

From the left....Dev.