Right lets start this report with the OBVIOUS “The good old English weather” which was to play a part in Sunday’s friendly with Thurston. When we arrived at Risby it was overcast, slight  hint of drizzle in the air but ok, in fact quite good conditions for playing footie, but by the time kick-off arrived a darkness had descended over Risby and the rain had began to fall quite steadily. Tigers began the match with two trail-lists in their line-up, Fabian Horrix (sorry about the spelling) playing his 3rd match and Josh Daly making his debut, while in the absence of keeper Matthew Le ‘P’ Harvey Dinkele again deputised in goal. Tigers started well and only good defending from Thurston kept scores level early on. As the wind and rain increased in ferocity, so did Tigers attacking play and persistence reaped its rewards as utility player James Blyth scored his first ever Tigers goal.

Excellent Tigers attacking play was brightening up, what was now becoming a deluge of  rain and rapidly dipping  temperatures. Fabian Horrix and Luke Walker led the forward line well and were supported by midfielders Max ‘Ronaldo’ Stubbs, Jarrad Lebbon, Josh Daly, George Bishop and James Blyth, despite good Thurston defending Tigers added 3 further goals before half-time. Fabian used his skill and strength to score a brace of fine goals and strike partner Lukie Walker got his name on the scoresheet with a decent finish. Defenders Mattie ‘O’, George Fox, Clayton Mackie and Alex Walters were in mean mood and Thurston rarely troubled Harvey ‘D’ in the Tigers goal and half-time came with Tigers 4 – 0 ahead.

With the rain now “LASHING” down and the temperature plummeting to at least -15o , Referee Nigel Bishop decided it was time for some other fool to take the whistle for the second half……….. (yep, that it’ll be me then!!!!!!)

Clayton Mackie donned the goalie gloves for the second half, giving Harvey a chance to run around in midfield to get himself warmed up.. (yeah right, some chance, poor old Harv !!). Both sides did well considering the conditions, Clayton had a make a decent save to deny Thurston a goal before Jarrad Lebbon’s long shot made it 5 – 0. Then Josh Daly capped a fine display with a deserved goal from a low angled shot.

The Referee then decided he’d had enough and blew the final whistle (hoping no-one noticed there was still 15 mins to go!! What a whimp). By the time we’d dismantled the goals and tidied up Wayne had built a boat to ferry all the gear across what was once the car park but had now become a river to the storage hut. Meanwhile the MAGS (minus the fair-weather ones) had fought admirable to save the gazebo, tea hut thing but alas I’m afraid it  succumbed to the elements and is now heading for the great gazebo heaven in the sky (if not their then  Rougham skips, or maybe Osborne ‘n’ Mackie gazebo repairs Ltd  will try to repair it good luck chaps !!)
Well done to everyone for your help in clearing up, especially Martin Dinkele, Wayne’s ‘O’ and Mackie, Nigel Bish, Ricky Walters and Nick Stubbs who are now all better known as the “DROWNED RAT GANG” the goal dismantlers,  well done also to the “Gazibo Girls”, our linesman Mr Fox and everyone who did their bit.

On mornings like Sunday you con either laugh or cry (I cried for hours!!) but for some this will probably be hilarilous? Yep I’m talking about that Pearson lot, the Le Poidevins, The Shutlers, the Orlopps and Sally ‘Lightweight’ Walters( hangover), all of whom missed this one (I hope it was nice and warm where you all were…..NOT!!)

Anyway next week see’s the eagerly awaited presentation day with the main attraction surely being the Dad’s v lads match (which the Dad’s will of course  win….. Easy!!). Lets hope for a return to summer weather next week and not the mid January stuff we had this weekend!!
See you all soon.

MARK LEBBON

MATCH REPORT - Needham 11 aside Friendly 12/04/08

MATCH REPORT - Tollgate 06/04/08

MATCH REPORT - Walsham Le Willows 30/03/08

MATCH REPORT - Stowmarket 08/03/08 & Needham 09/03/08

MATCH REPORT - Ipswich Valley A 02/03/08

MATCH REPORT - Elmswell 24/02/08

MATCH REPORT - Moreton Hall B 17/02/08

MATCH REPORT - Ipswich Valley A 10/02/08

MATCH REPORT - St Benet Wasps 03/02/08

MATCH REPORT - Stow Town 27/01/08

MATCH REPORT - East Bergholt 06/01/08