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Last updated: 20 February, 2007 Next Game: Friendlies TBC.

Sassco.co.uk 2 TWR 4.
Twice in the lead, same old story.

 

Sassco 11-a-side versus TWR Trade FramesLets look at the positives first.

 

Greenwell and Wardle are now back as regulars, although we'll have to be careful as the morning games might spring up an injury. Also, the game plan was to get the ball down as quick as possible and to play it short. We did. We were probably marginally better than TWR in the first half and deserved our goal (from Hembrough). The team was carefully planned out. Hembrough with Wilkinson in attack, although Tommy was asked to drop deeper when we didn't have the ball. Wide players were Gourlay and Ed, while Greenwell played central behind the front two. Wardle was in front of the back four - which comprised of Young P, Pearson, Emu and Dixon.

 

To cut a long story short, we went 1-0 up before succumbing to an equaliser. Tommy missed two glorious chances - the second of which resulted in a lost football (say no more). Second half, I changed to 4-5-1 due to the mass amount of lost leads we'd had. Positive at the start as Greenwell broke clear and scored. Yet again, it went belly up. Despite having five men in midfield, we still didn't close down like we should have. Staples claimed it was players playing in the wrong positions, but Greenwell, Wardle, Wilkinson, Gourlay and Cook in a five man midfield aren't out of position. It's simple lack of hard work. We have to be tight on our men and stop them passing.

 

At the back, I was afraid of the old "rely on offside" technique. There's enough pace at the back to remain goal side and cope with any long ball. Emu had a few clangers where he was turned a few times.

 

So. Back to the positives. We are now starting to play the ball more which is a relief. There were only one or two long balls which when executed, went tits up - so we know now not to do them. Roll on next season. Despite it being FA Cup day, we had a good turn out with more than enough players. I'm sure we'll be strong in the lower division for next season.

 

Shipwrights Field, Sunderland
Premier Division
Sassco.co.uk 2 Scott Hembrough, Wayne Greenwell
TWR Trade Frames 4
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Pearson A, Pearson, Muers, Dixon, Gourlay, Cook, Wardle, Greenwell*, Wilkinson, Hembrough

*
Player
Apps
Goals
2
Mark Muers
29
10
3
Michael Pearson
29
0
4
Chris Dixon
28
3
5
David Staples
28
5
6
David Gourlay
25
4
-
Davinder Sangha
23
0
1
David Watson
22
0
7
Jason Amour
19
0
-
Scott Hembrough
18
22
8
Tommy Wilkinson
16
5
-
Scott Johnstone
13
5
-
Steve Stubbs
12
0
-
Dean Robinson
11
1
-
Anthony Pearson
10
0
9
Wayne Greenwell
10
2
-
David "Bunta" Murton
9
4
10
Jon Wardle
9
2
-
Neil Middlemiss
9
15
11
Danny Hodgson
8
0
12
Ed Cook
8
0
-
Gav Kershaw
8
0
-
Tommy Bell
8
7
-
Jeff Clark
7
0
-
Mark Sammut
7
0
-
Steven Herkes
7
2
13
Tim Gillespie
7
0
-
Jimmy Donkin
6
2
-
Chris Haldane
5
3
-
John Oliver
4
0
-
Mark Cresswell
4
0
-
Gavin Rackstraw
3
1
-
William Harper
3
0
-
Darren Dowell
2
0
-
Gary Tyzack
2
2
-
Kallum Griffiths
2
0
-
Michael Ross
2
0
-
Steve McDonagh
2
0
-
Anthony Richardson
1
1
-
Craig Charlton
1
0
-
Gareth Brazier
1
0
-
Keith Mouat
1
0
-
Peter Daykin
1
0
-
Ryan McNaught
1
1
-
Steve Priestly
1
0
* denotes next seasons shirt number

 

Latest News. Hetton Crown match report is below this news.
New shirt and final League game and thanks to Scott Hembrough.

 

New team shirt
Delighted to say the new shirt is nearly ready. The attached pic shows the first design sample. There are going to be minor changes, but nothing too drastic so the shirt is going to be almost identical to the one in the picture.

 

New Sassco balls
We've also produced some new match balls with the City of Sunderland and Milltech logo on them for all our home games as well as for the 6-a-side League. The balls are produced up to FIFA Approved standards and are durable enough for the turf and the grass.

 

Our last game

The final game v TWR is going to be a 1pm kick off. Reason being that the FA Cup Final is on the same day. We tried to get the FA to shift their game, but no joy. So it's a 1pm kick off at the Shipwrights field against TWR. We should be there for around 12:15pm to get the nets up. I'll announce the squad on the message board as normal.


Scotty Hembrough

Also, rumours have been flying about here and there, but unfortunately for us, Scotty Hembrough will be leaving the team at the end of the season to pastures new - possibly a high flying team in the top division or the Northern League. We know he's good enough for both and thank him for sticking it out with us. Scotty H was amongst the original set of new superstars such as Beam, Bunta, Bell, Minnie and Sammut - all who left when we started struggling. But good on him, he stayed with us and more importantly, played exceptionally well as a regular. He's definitely our Player-of-the-Season. The prize was going to be a team shirt, but now we'll have to find something different.

 

Hetton Crown 3 Sassco.co.uk 0.
Depleted line up, comfortably trounced.

 

Very difficult to take any positives from a 3-0 trouncing. We were stunningly depleted. No Deano, Pearson, Staples, Hembrough, Herkes, Hodgson to name a few. Also Wardle and co. had a semi final on in the morning. Lucky for us, Dave G managed to press gang Ed Cook into turning up. Dixon was back from injury and Wilkinson had come back from his SAS camping session (SAS meaning Saturday and Sunday).

 

Anyway, brief report. Wilko was delayed by the problems on the A19 so we didn't have time for a team talk. Started reasonably well, but conceded early. Held on well. Muers and Dixon were up front but lacked the cutting edge having spent most of the season in defence. They both did okay when dropping deep as our ball play wasn't too bad, but the shots on goal ratio was appalling. We didn't really have the full complement of players who are good at keeping the ball, but we kept it down and passed it simple. Good sign was players bollocking other players for needless long balls and flicks which didn't get us anywhere.

 

Hetton moved up a gear in the second half and scored two quick goals. We were 3-0 down and there was no real way back. Up front we had pot shots at goal and none really troubled the 'keeper. The best chance was probably Muers first half, limp wrist kick and Tommy's second half sky high effort when through on goal.

 

As mentioned earlier, we really struggled with a team. I was ill so didn't really want to take part (but had to), while Herkes decided to text me two hours before kick off to say he's busy. I understand people are busy, etc. But some people seem to be more busy than others which means they will have to be classed as non-regulars. God knows how many texts I sent out to get a full team, but then again, all teams have that problem at this time of year with so many games and competitions going on.

 

Never mind. We were generally positive after the game and pointed out the obvious mistakes. They can be surely rectified, but the last game of the season v TWR Trade Frames isn't really the one where you'd expect a huge up lift. For next season we'll have to put in some ground rules and select a first team squad of around 15 who are rock solid regulars. The rest will be signed on as non-regulars and will be called on from time to time. Priority is to get a regular striker and also a strong midfielder.

 

Also, a team coach is needed. The three names are Ed Cook, Billy Harper and Corby. They are ideal motivators and have the necessary skill and experience to form a good way of playing. We shall see. All three would struggle with commitment as they have other teams they look after.

 

Hetton Lyons Ground, Hetton
Premier Division
Hetton Crown 3
Sassco.co.uk 0

Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Sangha, Gillespie, Cook*, Wilkinson, Dixon, Muers, Gourlay, Wilkinson

 

Redhouse FC 6 Sassco.co.uk 2.
2-0 ahead, but nothing lasts forever.

 

Our biggest game since the opening day. We were facing off against Redhouse FC in what actually was a meaningless game. We're definitely relegated, while Redhouse had seemingly shot themselves in the foot after gaining the lead in the table then losing it, surprisingly in two games. However, for this one, they were back to full strength (as expected). I was concerned with our lack of numbers, but a stroke of luck made both Greenwell and Wardle available. They didn't have a game in the morning, so the likes of Stubba, Jeff and Donkin would also be available just in case. However, Wardle and Greenwell were straight in as Tommy Wilko and Danny H were missing. Gourlay and Pearson were also missing until around two hours before kick off. So lucky for Redhouse, I put my footy boots back into the Aldi carrier bag and prepared to spend an interesting evening on the sideline, watching one of our most important games in terms of how we performed. As with all Sassco games, it tended to end in tears.

 

For the team it was 4-3-3 again, with the return of all the key players, Hembrough, Muers, Gillespie, etc. I placed Wardle in front of the defence and Greenwell as the third attacker and it seemed to work. Wardle forced an own goal through and soon Hembrough broke the offside trap to make it 2-0. Yet the game was still up for grabs. Butler was quiet, but slowly getting into the game and soon we conceded a soft penalty. Muers was climbing over Hunt and Butler put the penalty away with ease.

 

With his poor first half performance which led to both Sassco goals, it's not surprising that some of the Redhouse FC lads seem to think Gash has his loyalties elsewhere as this previously unseen photo shows him in the Sassco attireSecond half saw us start to panic. We'd never been good enough to hold a lead. For some reason we can't seem to get our foot on the ball. Difficult to work out a plan for this in the future, but at 4-2 down - yes 4-2, we started to actually keep the ball and pass it. We'd conceded an early goal in the second half and then two quick ones in succession. We were out of it. I sent Herkes on late in the game to terrorise Gash, but he looked intimidated by Gash's hairstyle. Nevertheless, he did okayish. One thing about Herkes is that he can't half trap any ball pinged at him at any speed or height. The goals conceded were predictable. One was when Jase claimed the ball was out while the others were essentially ourselves not giving Butler any respect. My team talk at half time was simply that the rest of them were shite and Butler is the one. We should have doubled up on him. But most of our lads being a bit dim said that he wasn't playing well. I'm afraid he played a bit too well in the second though. I wouldn't go the whole hog and say Redhouse are a one man team, but Butler is definitely the edge which puts them above the likes of Dolphin, Grange, Castletown, etc. The Redhouse team talk dwelled on the fact that Keith Braziers arse was twitching just in case Sangha's Sassco celebrated their first League win over him.

 

However, back to our problems. In the future, I'm going to have to stress the importance of keeping the ball on the ground when up against it. Corby touched upon it during our defeat v Castletown, but I wasn't convinced. We did well in this matter this time. Obviously we'd lost the game then, but it was clear when we were punting balls in the air - they were winning them easily. Playing quick one or two touch passing was our game and that has to be stressed in our last two games. The skill players are there so it shouldn't be a problem. It will have to be possession football when in the lead instead of hit and see it come straight back.

 

A few positives for this game. Firstly, Muers was back but looked rusty. Wardle and Greenwell did really well, in what is probably their last game for us this season, and won almost everything in the air. Deano played well and cleared his lines, but struggled to keep goal side of Butler on occasions. Scotty H was superb in attack, with most of his spectacular efforts being near misses. Overall it was okay. Far better than Wednesday, but hugely disappointing that we didn't keep the lead. Yet we've done that in the past so no surprises there

 

Downhill Sports Complex, Sunderland
Premier Division
Redhouse FC 6
Sassco.co.uk 2
Scott Hembrough, Jon Wardle
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Muers, Robinson, Pearson, Greenwell, Staples, Gillespie (Herkes), Wardle*, Gourlay, Hembrough

 

The Dolphin 5 Sassco.co.uk 0.
Terrible performance, but half expected on a Wednesday.

 

Midweek games do my head in. Players aren't available and the ones who are have to spend time rushing around. From our encounter on Saturday, only Watty, Jase and Pearson were there. The remaining team was bolstered by Wilko, Herkes, Jeff Clark, Stubba, Jimmy Donkin, Deano, Wardle and Gourlay.

 

It was a poor performance. For some reason, the back four decided to play the offside rule which led to the first Dolphin goal. It was added to four times in the first half in a truly diabolical performance. Attitude in comparison to Saturday was dire. No closing down, no tight man-to-man and no discipline. It seems that most were only there for the kick-about. Only Deano came out of it with any credit.

 

Second half was more measured. They did score off a corner late on, but we had quite a few good opportunities. They were clearly relaxing and messing around, but it was a shame we didn't take advantage. Herkes came close with some one on ones, while Deano on right wing (from right back) put in some good crosses.

 

Roll on Saturday and thank God, as this is our last Wednesday game. We've got Redhouse FC, our dear rivals (not in League positions though). They seem to be shooting themselves in the foot having gained a lead at the top of the division and now squandered it. Hopefully the full squad will be there and attitude will be top notch. I'm sure we want to put one over our opponents. Yet, that's thinking ahead. The only positive thing out of this game is that the second half was quite enjoyable. Also, the relief that this wouldn't be classed as our proper line up had the likes of Staples, Hembrough, Dixon, Muers and Danny H been available.

We'll see. Thanks anyway to the lads which did turn up, including Steve Mac and Anth Pearson on the sidelines. Also it's been a while since Fatty, Stubba, Jeff and Jimmy played together for Sassco and it showed as the arguments flared up within a few minutes of kick off.

 

Silksworth Sports Complex, Sunderland
Premier Division
The Dolphin 5
Sassco.co.uk 0

Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Donkin, Stubbs, Robinson*, Gourlay, Wilkinson, Pearson (Sangha), Clark, Herkes, Wardle

 

Castletown Snooker 5 Sassco.co.uk 2.
Gutted and pissed off with the Dirty Drop Outs.

 

2-0 up. What more could I ask for. We'd lost Griffiths, Murton, Muers and Gourlay and also Wilkinson on the day, but mustered a team together and actually performed to our best abilities. It was 4-3-3 again and this time, instead of Griffiths in attack, we had Corby. It was great to see "Old Man Corby" back in the fold. Ironically against his previous team mates, Duffy, The Mouats and Barry Cook. People unaware of Sassco wouldn't know that the majority of key players in some of the teams have donned the Sassco jersey in the past. Both Corby and Duffy were present in our first ever win back in 2002. Paul Mouat has played on and off in the Saturday mornings, while Keith Mouat was a regular. But to the team on the day, instead of Murton it was Pearson behind the front two and Gillespie in front of the back four. Out was Muers and in was Hodgson. Watty's mate played on the right hand side of midfield while Young P played right back. Jase was left back. Stapes on the left and Scotty H up front.

 

From the off, we seemed to be okay. Hembrough opened the scoring as they simply couldn't handle his pace. He also hit the crossbar. But then problems occurred. Hodgson suffered a bad tackle so I had to come on. We shuffled it to Jase as centre half. Still, we went 2-0 up. It was all to play for. Corby also hit the bar and Anth Mouat in goal for them made a cracking save. We really should have been 4-0 up. Yet we cleared off the line twice and seconds before half time, they scored to make it 2-1.

 

No matter. We were fully confident for the second half and held it at 2-1 for a long time. Hembrough hit the crossbar on this occasion and things were looking up. Yet, Digga had to go off injured. We were down to 10 men, without both centre halves. Pearson filled in, but from then on we struggled. Our weak players came to the fore as we lost the ball too often. We tried in vain and lost 5-3. Score was a bit harsh, but I'm genuinely pissed off. Players such as Wilkinson and Griffiths dropping me in it on the day. Gourlay constantly missing, our other lads missing as well for one reason or another. If Murton, Muers and Gourlay were here today, I'm sure we'd pull out all the stops and get it right. What pisses me off is that there's so much potential in the team. We seem to be getting it right. Attitude is 100% if ability isn't. But if I can't get the full-strength side out week in week out like other teams do, there's not a great deal we can do. Some players aren't good enough and myself; I shouldn't be playing. The fact that I am fifth or sixth highest appearance is shocking.

 

Come on boys. Those who are reading have to get their act together and start getting to games. If they don't want to play. Simply say so and I can make changes.

 

I need to know who is available for our Wednesday night encounter at Silksworth. Leave a message on the message board.

 

Shipwrights Field, Sunderland
Premier Division
Castletown Snooker 5
Sassco.co.uk 2
Anthony Richardson, Scott Hembrough
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Hodgson (Sangha), Amour, Dixon*, Pearson A, Richardson, Pearson M, Gillespie, Staples, Hembrough

 

Sassco.co.uk 1 Hendon Grange 2.
Surprisingly strong performance, but no points out of it.

 

An unexpected strong performance from Sassco didn't leave us with the result we wanted. Hendon Grange were the opponents and while they'd come off the back of a Cup Final defeat the night before, we'd had a reasonable game against Aquatics last week. This time, we lost Jase, Pearson, Herkes, Deano and Danny. Rackstraw was due to make a return, but bailed out in good notice the day before. So, I had to play. Also, Watty, who was busy releasing all the shits out of his arse, put them up me when he said he wouldn't be able to play. I tried Gav Kershaw, but he wasn't there, so Watty took all the weight off his mind and turned up looking leaner and healthier, if not a bit paler. I suppose the conditions didn't help. They couldn't have been more contrasting than our game against Aquatics. It was searing heat with a sun baked, hard ground to play on. At the end of the game, we were collectively struggling (both sides) with the hard ground conditions. Makes a change from the quagmire though.

 

For the team line up itself, the system was altered slightly. I elected to go for 4-3-3. The reasoning was varied. Firstly, the last game against these saw them having an extra man in midfield all the time. The extra man tended to come from the back, so I decided to put an extra front man up there to track any runs. Also, Tommy was the sole central midfielder due to his height to win the ball. Dave G was left back and was given the go ahead to push forward when we had the ball. Bunta was the third attacker, generally playing behind the front two.

 

It actually worked. The first half saw Staples a bit outnumbered, but we went man-to-man and solved the problem. We did have quite a few opportunities. The forward men wanted a clear shot on numerous occasions and didn't take their chances. At the back we were holding up quite well until Dunston decided to turn his man with the ball. This was after Watty made a superb save and half the team were screaming for Dunston to lash it. I know you're reading this Emu, so let me ask you this...if Scott H was the one you were up against, would you try and turn him? No.

 

Anyhow, we suffered a one goal deficit, but performance was okay. We gained our just rewards when Staples broke free to cross for Hembrough to nod the ball into the back of the net.

 

Yet, in typical Sassco fashion, we blundered. Moments after this, their team had the opportunity to score again, but Watty saved. However, a one-two played between a triangle of their players wasn't dealt with and Watty got lobbed to make it 2-1. We didn't really threaten after that.

 

Nevertheless, we're obviously looking at pre-season and if this is the type of performance we can put up against a good team, I'm quite happy with it. It's TWR on Wednesday and there's loads of drop outs due to it being an evening game. I'm sure I'll cobble a team together, but it's a shame we can't put the same team out against the Champions.

 

Shipwrights Field, Sunderland
Premier Division
Sassco.co.uk 1 Scott Hembrough
Hendon Grange 2

Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Sangha, Dixon, Muers, Gourlay, Wilkinson, Gillespie, Staples, Murton*, Hembrough, Griffiths

 

Aquatic Sports 1 Sassco.co.uk 1.
Dixon scores to put us ahead in blizzard conditions.

 

Sassco 11-a-side v AquaticsWhen Digga lashed in the opener midway in the first half, things were looking up.

 

A bleak opening few minutes saw us camped in our own half, giving corners away as if they were free. Aquatics (who'd beat us 6-2 earlier in the season) looked as if they'd be giving us another walloped.

 

Yet we weathered the storm. Ironic words considering the hailstorm which eventually abandoned the match. We were struggling to put together a team. Gourlay, Tyzack and Pearson were missing, while Gillespie failed to show, citing the same excuse as he did on Wednesday. Nevertheless, we managed (with Bunta's help) to get eleven players ready, which also included myself and put on a good show. The terrible conditions put pay to a half decent performance which saw Aquatics gain a deserved equaliser near the end of the first half. So we came away with a point - only our second since the opening day.

 

Marley Potts, Sunderland
Premier Division
Aquatics Sports 1
Sassco.co.uk 1
Chris Dixon
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Sangha, Dixon, Muers, Wilkinson, Griffiths, Hodgson, Murton, Dixon*, Hembrough.

Foremost Electrical 4 Sassco.co.uk 1.
Pathetic, limp wrist performance. Only Bunta came out of it with credit.

 

Butterman in actionMidweek games aren't really helpful. I remember with Sassco in the Tyne & Wear League, we had a radically different side on the evenings. This was no difference. Panic set in early, though. The list of unavailable's read; Tyzack, Murton, Hembrough, Cook, Muers, Staples, Gourlay, Gillespie - all good, first team regulars.

 

So being resourceful like I am, I managed to get Fatty and Donkin to come in. Murton also changed his plans and became available. Lucky for me, Pearson also called in to say that he was okay (albeit with a bad back). Deano also came back after throwing a typical Sassco wobbler (it happens to all Sassco players). So from about nine players, we had a full complement. Despite being not full-strength, I was actually confident based on the side we had. But from there it went tits up.

 

Defensively we struggled. We couldn't keep hold of the ball. Up front, Bunta was brilliant, but he was rapidly getting frustrated with players around him. There wasn't any closing down and none of the basics such as following your man when he plays a one-two. For a stretch at the end of the first half and the start of the second, we played some good stuff. We got tight on and closed down and caused the opponents to make mistakes. We didn't take advantage of them, but the fact is that they were playing across the back and after around three passes, they panicked. We simply didn't keep this up. Closing down is the easiest thing to do in football, but we're simply either thick or bone-idle (or both). I didn't have a great deal of time to do a team talk neither to explain things clearer. Also I need to speak to players one-on-one to explain what I'm looking for. We went 1-0 down when Critter wasn't tackled running through the middle of the defence. They dominated the proceedings, but didn't add to their tally in the first half. We came close, mainly from Bunta. Herkes, partnering him, wasted too many opportunities.

 

Well, to cut a long story short, they scored a second after we showed a bit more spirit. We looked down, but eventually, Bunta scored from a brilliant cross from Jimmy "Crouch" Donkin. It was fully deserved from Bunta as he was caught offside when he was on several times in the game.

 

Disappointing considering that we'd just secured a new sponsor, but half expected when I rattle off the list of genuinely good players we didn't have. Next game v TWR at home on Saturday.

 

Thompson Park, Sunderland
Downhill Trophy
Foremost Electrical 4
Sassco.co.uk 1
David Murton
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Donkin, Wilkinson, Pearson, Hodgson, Dixon, Murton*, Robinson, Wardle, Herkes.

News.
Milltech announced as our new sponsor.

 

Delighted to announce that Dave Watson has secured sponsorship for the 11-a-side team from Milltech. This means we will be producing a new home shirt (red colour) and will be secure to continue for the next season, 2006-2007 and most likely for 2007-2008.

Milltech are an independent company who have been helping young people achieve nationally recognised qualifications and employment for over twenty years. Over those years they have developed strong links with companies both large and small throughout the Tyne and Wear area. Many ex-Milltech learners are managers or supervisors within these organisations and take an active role in training new apprentices.

Milltech provides high quality work placements where young people gain practical experience within their chosen industry. Milltech have some of the most up to date equipment and teaching aids available. They have always looked to combine new developments with a pioneering approach to learning and look to maintain an innovative outlook, an approach that has led to the company receiving national awards
. Click on to the logo to see more information about their services.

The funds will enable us to compete in next season's WCFL competition and will also fund a new home shirt which is to be in red as shown below. Comments are welcome as the shirt hasn't been put into production as of yet.



News.
Still need a sponsor.

 

We still need a sponsor. The League is going to come to a close quite soon, so we need something in place before then. Be aware that if we don't get a sponsor then we definitely won't be re-entering.

Also if we do re-enter, then I want to make changes in terms of responsibilities. We need someone to take care of nets and corner flags, someone to bring the water and medical supplies and I'll remember the kit. Also we need a rota for people going to the meetings. Remember that anyone going to the meetings gets two games free (£4).

Hendon Grange 5 Sassco.co.uk 3.
A good performance, but another lead not held on to.

 

A few disappointing aspects about our first game against Hendon Grange. Firstly, Tommy Wilko dropped us in it saying he's babysitting. Simply not acceptable. Don't care what the excuse is. Players have ample time to say they are not available. Also Deano threw a bit of a strange wobbler asking to be excused and then saying he didn't know why he didn't want to play. So, without Emu (still hasn't paid or even paid a part of his fine), Hembrough and also Tyzack we were fighting an uphill battle.

 

Nevertheless, Bunta answered the call and did a magnificent job in a very difficult game. It was at the Ryhope ground where we were hammered off TWR, but this time the performance was considerably different. We had Ed and Mickey P in the centre midfield slot, while Stapes and Digga were on the flanks. I had to play right back, while Jase and Danny were centre halves. Dave G requested to play on the left - which seemed to work and he wasn't wasted. Up front Bunta partnered Herkes.

 

From the off I thought we did well. They were a large team and direct, while we seemed not to be overawed. A mix up led to long range shot past Watson. We didn't clear our lines and more importantly, didn't win the second ball. Herkes soon grabbed an equaliser with superb work from Bunta. Just before the half time, they added a second, when, again, we didn't clear our lines quick enough.

The second half saw a host of problems. Mickey Pearson was badly injured so we had to shuffle him forward with Herkes on the right and Digga as full back. Dave G went in midfield. Yet it didn't seem to affect us that badly. Bunta scored a superb long range shot and then added a second when Jimmy "Crouch" Donkin turned up to replace Pearson. So at 3-2 it was all to play for. Ed, with a clear shot at goal, hit the post which could have made it 4-2. However, Hendon came back. With the midfield pestering the defence to push up, we lost our concentration. It doesn't change the fact that the midfield weren't retaining the ball enough and losing it to the opponents who were then launching it from the flanks. We have to concentrate on defending and worrying about the offside trap only when being caught on the break.

So, from 3-2 up, we eventually lost 5-3. Overall, it was a great performance considering our struggles in the recent past. Attitude seems 100% while we now tend to play to our strengths. There were one or two long balls too many and also ms-communication (i.e. Dave G, telling Herkes to beat a man, while I was telling him to use a quick pass). We've got pace in the team and need to be quick and rapid in attack. We don't need to beat our man, but have the option of outpacing him as we did against the Dolphin. Great to see Bunta back. I'm sure it would be outstanding to see him and Hembrough in tandem in attack. Also it was good to have Staples, Gourlay and Hodgson back in

 

Ryhope Rec. Ground, Sunderland
League Game
Hendon Grange 5
Sassco.co.uk 3
David Murton (2), Steve Herkes
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Pearson (Donkin), Sangha, Hodgson, Dixon, Cook, Murton*, Gourlay, Staples, Herkes.

Sassco.co.uk 3 Dolphin 3.
Racing into a three goal lead wasn't good enough.

 

Well, what can you say. Before the game, I would have taken a draw considering we didn't have six key players; Tyzack, Hodgson, Muers, Staples Tommy Wilko and Gourlay. But after the game, everyone felt let down. On reflection, the Dolphin did dominate the middle of the park and tended to win every high ball, but we seemed a bit more clinical.

 

We (me and Watty) opted for pace up front. Herkes and Hembrough, with Dixon shifted to his less comfortable left side position and Tim Gillespie on the right hand side, instead of Deano - who was right back. Reasoning was that Deano tends to play further forward and not come back enough when on the wing. Defence was the difficult part but it was solved with Pearson and Jase as centre halves where normally it would be Muers and Hodgson.

 

Key issue on the team talk was to take our chances and not launch the ball - which we did. Hembrough gained two goals after a mixed first half where Dolphin controlled the game, but Pearson and Jase along with Deano and Young P seemed to handle it well.

 

Second half we went 3-0 up with Hembrough's hat-trick, but the problems began there. Ed Cook was in midfield, but the midfield was being swamped and more chances were being created for Dolphin. They eventually scored with twenty minutes to go to make it 3-1. We still had glorious chances, with Herkes and Hembrough missing easy chances. Nevertheless, they scored with five minutes to go and got the inevitable equaliser two minutes from time.

 

Disappointing: Yes, but we didn't have our best line up out and players were playing in awkward positions. Plus points were Herkes and Hembrough combining well up front and with blistering pace. Also Mickey Pearson and Jase both played really well in defence against a very physical and huge Dolphin team. Watty also played well. But where did we go wrong? If I had to point, it would have to be midfield. We didn't win anything in the air and didn't cut out the crossfield balls late on. Jase and Pearson did exceptionally well all game, but there's only so much pressure they can take. Also, I Gash B and the Redhouse bunch were happy as it now gives them a fighting chance to get to the next stage - would have been better had we won, but still, they seem quite content.

 

Shipwrights Field, Sunderland
Downhill Trophy
Sassco.co.uk 3 Scott Hembrough 3
The Dolphin 3
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Amour, Pearson, Pearson A, Robinson, Dixon, Cook, Dowell, Gillespie, Hembrough*, Herkes.

The current stats from our first friendly against the African FC at Hendon up to the 3-3 draw with Dolphin.

 

Player
Apps
Goals
MoM
Mark Muers
24
10
1
David Staples
23
5
1
Michael Pearson
23
0
2
Chris Dixon
21
2
1
David Gourlay
19
4
3
Davinder Sangha
17
0
-
David Watson
13
0
1
Scott Hembrough
13
18
3
Scott Johnstone
13
5
1
Jason Amour
12
0
-
Steve Stubbs
11
0
-
Tommy Wilkinson
10
5
1
Neil Middlemiss
9
15
1
Anthony Pearson
8
0
-
Dean Robinson
8
1
1
Gav Kershaw
8
0
1
Tommy Bell
8
7
2
Wayne Greenwell
8
1
-
Mark Sammut
7
0
-
Jeff Clark
6
0
-
Chris Haldane
5
3
-
David "Bunta" Murton
5
1
-
Ed Cook
5
0
1
Jon Wardle
5
1
-
Danny Hodgson
4
0
2
John Oliver
4
0
-
Mark Cresswell
4
0
2
Gavin Rackstraw
3
1
-
Jimmy Donkin
3
2
-
Steven Herkes
3
1
-
Tim Gillespie
3
0
-
William Harper
3
0
-
Gary Tyzack
2
2
-
Michael Ross
2
0
-
Craig Charlton
1
0
-
Darren Dowell
1
0
-
Gareth Brazier
1
0
-
Keith Mouat
1
0
-
Ryan McNaught
1
1
-
Steve McDonagh
1
0
-
Steve Priestly
1
0
-

 

Sassco.co.uk 1 Santini FC 2.
Another lost opportunity.

 

A belated match report, which is probably better considering that we've had at least a few days to reflect on it.

 

The game against Santini was a true opportunity squandered again. This time we had a good squad bolstered by the return of Ed, Jase, Tim and especially, Scotty H. Yet, as with Sassco, all wasn't running smoothly as Watty was struggling with a stomach injury. Lacking all our reserve 'keepers, I was set to go in goal with my Thinsulate gloves and no contact lenses as I knew we had a full squad. Luckily, Gav Kershaw answered the late call and did a great job back in between the sticks. Also thanks to Mickey P for picking him up.

 

So to the game itself. The line up was as Watty wanted it. I didn't really think it necessary for any major changes. Jase, Pearson, Hodgson and Tim on the back line. Scotty H (replacing the injured Staples) on the left. Ed and Dave G in the middle and Deano on the right. Up front, we had Digga (after his goal last week) and Tommy Wilko. I, along with Herkes and Young P, were on the sides. We started promisingly. Scotty H and Jase combined well on the left hand side and it wasn't too long before we took the lead. Scotty H chipped the 'keeper and it came back off the crossbar to Tommy Wilko. We had a few good opportunities, but the game turned flat for us once they equalised with a speculative shot out of the sunlight.

 

For the second half, I elected to change things rather drastically, amidst much criticism later on (which I'll deal with later in the report). Firstly, Ed said he might struggle to finish the game due to his spell with bronchitis, so within ten minutes, I brought Herkes on and moved Tommy in defence so that Pearson could play in midfield. This also meant Herkes went on the left - pushing Hembrough in attack. I was originally going to take Deano off as a straight swap with Herkes, but made my decision and stood by it. Anyway, we started to be more direct. The good midfield work from Ed and Dave G in the first was swapped with crossfield balls to Herkes and Dixon which resulted in more chances. However, we didn't take them. Almost every forward line player had a chance to make it count, but it didn't happen. Their 'keeper was in stunning form and his height definitely helped claw out a good few top corner chances.

 

We were running out of steam and with five minutes left, they scored. I've forgotten to mention that they played all the second half with only ten men. Pearson, pulling one of their players shirt in the first half resulted in the usual swear words at the referee from the offended player. The referee didn't see the shirt pull, but sent the player off. So 2-1 down with five minutes left would seem that we wouldn't have any more opportunities - but we did. I counted at least seven opportunities. Some saves, some wide and some poorly executed. The game petered out and the whistle blew. We were out.

 

So now to the complaints about the changes. Well, to save on typing, I've just stuck my response on the message board here:

 

To me, people always seem to miss the point and look for other excuses. We lost that game, simply because we didn't finish our chances and NOT because of the changes made. I counted at least a dozen good chances in the second half before and after their winning goal. We don't put them into the back of the net, we lose. It's a simple as that.

As for taking Ed off. He told me at half time he might start to struggle later on, so I made the judgement in taking him off earlier and adjusting the team instead of doing it late on if he did struggle to finish the game. The changes were straightforward as well. Tommy back in defence like he's been doing every now and then which released Mickey into midfield and Herkes on the flanks to allow Scott up front. We had pace in our flanks and attack - but like I said, we didn't take our chances.

And I agree with the school boy stuff. Simple passes going astray, hands on the back of players, foul throw-ins.

Shipwrights Field, Sunderland
Aged Miners Trophy
Sassco.co.uk 1 Tommy Wilkinson
Santini 2
Sassco.co.uk: Kershaw, Amour, Hodgson, Pearson, Gillespie (Pearson, A), Hembrough, Gourlay, Cook* (Herkes), Robinson, Dixon, Wilkinson.

 

Sassco.co.uk 1 Seaham Leisure 1.
Lost opportunity (and a missed penalty, Dave G).

 

Overall, a disappointing outing. Middle of the week I expected a largish squad with Hembrough, Cook, Gillespie and Herkes, but one by one they couldn't make it for various valid reasons, so it was a calling on the Harper and he did himself proud - between the sticks this time as Watson announced that he was injured.

 

Problems in paperwork reared their ugly head when the Contracting Services hadn't informed the Complex that we were on. Luckily we managed to sort it out, but I'll have to make sure that the paperwork is sent in by the Council. It's not the team's or the leagues fault, but just a requirement due to Health and Safety. No matter.

 

The game went reasonably well for us. First half saw Tommy Wilko miss three gilt edge chances, while Harper at the other end pulled off some cracking saves. We were out of sorts later in the half. Deano didn't really get back and help out the midfield and defence, while Pearson was obviously ill with drink. Digga had a great game in attack - the first outing he's had there in years and he did his duty by grabbing the opener in the second half. By this time, we were struggling. Danny Hodge, who had a blinder again, was struck down with a dead leg so we were up against it. They equalised and it was on the cards. Harper had pulled off some cracking stops, while we also cleared off the line.

 

Hope, though, as late on, Staples won a penalty when clean through. It was captain's duty to take the penalty, but their 'keeper saved it - good save as well. So honours even. Good game and fair result

 

Shipwrights Field, Sunderland
Downhill Cup
Sassco.co.uk 1 Chris Dixon
Seaham Leisure 1
Sassco.co.uk: Harper, Muers, Sangha, Pearson A, Hodgson, Gourlay, Wilkinson, Staples, Robinson, Dixon, Pearson.

 

Santini FC 3 Sassco.co.uk 4.
Vast improvement.

 

Standing from left to right: Ed Cook, Davinder Sangha, Tim Gillespie, Dave Watson, Mark Muers, Chris Dixon. Sitting from left to right: Danny Hodgson, David Gourlay, David Staples, Michael Pearson, Tommy WilkinsonFrom the start I was positive. We had eleven players only, but those were 100% reliable's, i.e. ones who say they will turn up and do so. Secondly, I managed to pull together ten Sassco shirts. I lent some to Fatty's team before Christmas and luckily had around five in the house as well, so we can at least turn out in our new shirts - although we can't afford to lose one, when before I had around twenty! Also the Echo guy was there to take a nice mug shot. Now, normally when ever we get our picture taken, we get hammered - this time it didn't happen. We had one new comer in Tim Gillespie who played for SNC many years ago. Also, Ed returned along with Dixon and Pearson, so even though we only had eleven, we still had a good side. I actually turned up on the wrong pitch and spent half an hour removing my screw in studs only to change the pitch and find out it was a shitter of an area. The game was playable, but I felt like I was walking around wearing pumps.

 

First half was controlled by us. In a quagmire of a pitch, Tommy Wilko got himself two goals, with his shiny almost silk-like shorts being one of the highlights. Firstly an excellent nod from a Muers shot and secondly, a superb conclusion to excellent play from Staples, Gourlay and Ed. Pearson was his partner in attack and put himself about as did all the team. Dixon and Gillespie combined well on the right side, while I kept Staples in control. Danny H and Emu had superb performances at centre half. Both very decisive and strong. Ed and Gourlay had great games in the middle.

 

Second half saw a more even game. A penalty, hotly disputed by our team got them back in it. At 2-1 it seemed nervous, but Tommy Wilko scored a superb third for his hat-trick which liberated the team at 3-1. We went 4-1 ahead from Man-of-the-Match, Gourlay, but let them back in with poor defending from set pieces. It was 4-3 in the end and a frantic last two minutes ensued. However, Santini failed to take advantage and the scored ended the same way our friendly did back in the long hot summer. In that game, Beam was the highlight with two goals, while only Muers, myself and Staples (with a goal) actually remained from the line up.

 

Venue: Fulwell Mill / Golf Course Area, Sunderland
Downhill Cup
Santini FC 3
Sassco.co.uk 4
Tommy Wilkinson (3), Dave Gourlay (1)
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Muers, Sangha, Pearson M, Gourlay, Wilkinson, Staples, Hodgson, Dixon, Cook, Gillespie.

 

Sassco.co.uk 2 TWR 7.
Another poor turn out and result.

 

Nothing much to say really. Possibly the lowest point for Sassco 11-a-side for many years. We really struggled and on top of it, Wardle and Greenwell dropped us right in it at the last minute. We managed to muster eleven players and the only highlight was a superb defensive performance from Danny Hodgson. First half we were 5-0 down before a second half improvement led to a 2-2 result in the final 45 minutes. Goals from Herkes and Jimmy Donkin, but a heavy 7-2 defeat.

 

Venue: Ryhope Rec Field, Sunderland
League
TWR 7
Sassco.co.uk 2
Jimmy Donkin, Steve Herkes
Sassco.co.uk: Watson, Muers, Sangha, Pearson M (Donkin), Gourlay, Robinson, Wilkinson, Staples, Hodgson, Herkes

 

Sassco.co.uk 2 Vane Arms 5.
New year, new pitch. Old kit, old results.

 

First problem was the kit. Some bastard had nicked the dirty shirt bag out of my garage, so I spent all Friday night running around looking for the old shirts we used to wear. Luckily I had a good few socks and shorts ready in case. Also my two set of boots went missing so I used Sassco's vast reserves of cash to buy a pair of £12.99 Adidas Two Stripe from JJB's. I also used my noggin and also purchase a set of hard ground studs to avoid having to buy a pair of soft ground blades. See, when you run Sassco you have to make every penny count. As a footnote, I've just paid £99 to the League and £127 to the Council for the pitch so now we don't owe anything to anyone.

 

Talking about the pitch, it was our first return to the Downhill Complex since the 2003 season. We'd been allocated Pitch I, commonly known as the Shippy's Field. An excellent venue, mainly because everyone lives within walking distance of the area. Getting the nets up on time was easy, although there was a dollop of shite at one end of the back of the nets. No doubt, Digga would have stepped into it had he played.

 

Our opponents in the Downhill Cup were Vane Arms. We were struggling again, but I was vastly confident as we'd done well against lower league opposition. Yet, the loss of Hembrough, Dixon and Jase was probably one step too far. As regulars it put a strain on the team, but we managed to rope together a team good enough to cope. Only new addition was Anth Pearson, Mickey's bro who did a good job for us. Cheesy was also back and he along with Emu, were centre halves. Gourlay and Pearson were in midfield. Watty decided to try out Deano and Tyzack in attack, with Tommy Wilko and Anth Pearson as full backs. Stapes was on the left.

 

After around four one on one's by Tyzack, I knew it wasn't going to be our day. To sum up the problems we have in one paragraph.

  • No one apart from Emu in the team can win headers.
  • Too many easy chances missed.
  • Lazy shits when we lose the ball.
  • And we pass the ball more time in the opponents goalmouth than we do on the whole of the pitch.

Apart from that, we're world beaters.....