Firstly, thanks to Dave Smith and Scott Smith for arranging the extra players: Simon Graney, Liam Murray, Nick Danks and Dan Young. Also, thanks to Greenwell for saying he's going to turn up and actually turn up.
The so-called "B" team was as follows: Dave Simpson, Simon Graney, Liam Murray, Scott Smith, Chris Taylor, Nick Danks, Dan Young, Davinder Sangha (replaced by Wayne Greenwell), Michael Garrett, Wayne Ramsey, Stephen Conlin
Couldn't really call them a "B" team as such, and more of a Sassco XI. The A team was as follows: Dave Smith, David Oxley, Mark Muers, Paul McConville, Chris Dixon, Dave Gourlay, Lee Ramsay, Callum Howe, Scott Hembrough, Dan Campbell, Anthony Pearson
We had various drop outs and a couple of no-shows. However, I was sort of prepared for this and made sure everyone attempted to bring one or two players.
Callum Howe opened the scoring as the "A" team were resplendent in the new shirts (sponsored by The Bunker), however it didn't all go well. A resilient performance from the Sassco XI backline, with Scott Smith and Chris Taylor being outstanding, so them recover from the wind against them and the mini-onslaught. The first half remained at 1-0.
Second half saw a more sure performance from the XI, as they had several chances. Titch, having missed a first half sitter, clipped the crossbar and Greenwell hammered in the equaliser. More chances came and went, with Garrett and Wayne Ramsay having much improved second halves. Eventually the XI team went ahead when Simon Graney deftly chipped the ball over an advancing Dave Smith.
Somehow, the scoring ended there. XI were catching Sassco on the break, but at the other end, the team were camped in the XI penalty box. Shots were cleared off the line and Simpson made several spectacular saves to keep the second half scoresheet clean.
So, once again, the XI team defeated the first eleven. McDermont and Pearson were missing, but the "A" team had the advantage of having the prolific Scott Hembrough at the helm. Take him out of the equation and the XI team could have had a much more comfortable game.
Sassco Knightflyers 49 Sassco.co.uk 29.
Saturday, 29 May 2010 20:29
Sangha puts Sassco 3 points ahead. That's all that matters.
Well would you believe it? Expecting a hammering, the brave Sassco bunch: Dave Smith, Dave Simpson, Mark Muers, Marc McDermont, myself (Davinder Sangha), plus Scott Hembrough, Paul "Tyson" Stokoe and the ever-reliable Wayne Greenwell, were holding out at 0-0, until I was placed clear outside the area to spring in a three pointer. It's rare you hear the words, "Sangha grabs three for Sassco..."
Playing basketball was madness against an amateur, but genuine team, and, for once, it wasn't my idea, it was Alan Hoyle's idea, who runs Sassco Knightflyers. We're returning the favour with an 11-a-side game in mid-June as well. A lot of people were interested in the basketball game, but I was pissed off that we had drop outs and expected only six there. It's rare we can set events like this up, so if someone says they are okay for it, I expect them to. Not half-hearted replies. But, lucky for us, Tyson and Greenwell managed to bundle themselves along. Greenwell turned up for the cheerleaders, but I didn't tell the pervert that they were aged between five and eight years old. He was gutted and decided to get kitted for the game. We were actually wearing the tops we are due to wear in Spain in October. I hastily heat glued the badges on, but Tyson's came off as he cannot show any loyalty to Sassco.
Back to the game: After the opener, Simpson managed to get two points, but Knightflyers broke clear and secured more points. In the meanwhile, Tyson, with his own running commentary, managed to get points. Emu got a couple of three pointers, while Greenwell also did the same. Scotty H's two points were the best. A sort of "back heel" with his hands. Macca got points, but threw the ball like a girl. I don't think Dave Smith did as he was firing blanks.
It was confusing a bit. Shouts of "Muers, get your f**king foot through it!" as well as "Back post! Back post!" but overall it was astonishingly enjoyable. Looks like we know what sport we'll take up when we all get banned.
The final score was 49 to Knightflyers and 29 to Sassco. Very impressive.
Conflict over number 8.
Thursday, 20 May 2010 11:58
As we'll be assigning players to specific numbers (at least for the start of pre-season and the beginning of the season), every player has had a choice of number. This means that the shirt will be used, but not kept and returned after the game. It's an easy way of keeping track of shirts. Anyone taking a shirt home (even the management), will have to pay a fine of £1.
Unfortunately, Dave Gourlay and Paul McConville both want number 8, therefore in the interest of fairness (something Sassco hold dear) we've decided to have a set number of challenges between both of them in skill and knowledge. The loser will have to wear the number 12 shirt, or another free number.
Skill
Keepy ups - at least 10.
Heady ups - at least 6.
Hit a spot on a wall from a dead ball.
Get the ball past Davinder Sangha in a one-on-one situation.
Knowledge
Spell a word.
Calculate a maths question.
A previous England based World Cup question.
A question on Sassco.
The challenge is likely to take place on the 29th May, before or after our basketball game against Sassco Knightflyers.
Season review.
Monday, 17 May 2010 12:07
Possibly the poorest Sassco season for a number of years, easily the most disappointing since we dropped out of the top division in 2005, without a single win to our name.
The pre-season was, as expected, quite busy, including trips a post season defeat to Redhouse FC by two goals to one in the AGUK Challenge Cup, a strong win on the Sandhill's artificial turf against Thomas Wilson, before the team came unstuck on a Sunday morning with a surprise defeat to Leam Lane Rangers at Gateshead.This was followed with a tempestuous comeback win against Forest Hall, a massive victory over Rutherford Deaf and then a heavy defeats against West Auckland and Newcastle BT; both teams in higher levels than ourselves.
After ninety minutes of our opening game, it was obvious that the team had near-collapse. The 2-0 defeat against Cambridge was hard to bear, but the insolence of some key players, namely Stoker and Richardson, meant that I was forced to remove them from the squad. Both eventually returned, but the absence and the disarray saw a run of defeats.
We hadn't won a single game against a decent team until we actually went to Portugal, where a memorable tour saw a win, a draw and a loss.
Back in the cold, the team suffered and Greenwell, who was appointed Coach, was ready to receive the axe, until a superb run saw the team unbeaten for several games. During this run, Greenwell suffered the "thumb" and was forced out of coaching the side, mainly due to lack of attention and interest. Michael Pearson was appointed in his stead, and kept the run going. However, as the player signing deadline approached, the team was hit with several injuries and hobbled over the finishing line with only five wins out of fourteen games in the new year.
A lot of soul searching during the summer months, but the advantage is that the team has an appointed coach for pre-season for the first time, who will bring his ideas in and look for reliable players to avoid some embarrassingly heavy defeats.
Leading scorer for the season was Mark Muers, who move from defence into attack, back into defence, then back into attack for the latter part of the season.
Overwhelming player nominated as the best Sassco player this season was goalkeeper, David Smith, who replaced Simpson (now outfield) and was a key figure in the long unbeaten run.
Redhouse FC 1 Sassco.co.uk 0*
Saturday, 15 May 2010 14:13
Redhouse stumble to the finishing line with a win.
Scott Dixon strode up confidently and stroked the penalty to score for Redhouse FC, early in the second half to settle the game for Redhouse FC. This was the third AGUK Challenge Cup game, and Redhouse FC retained the trophy. It was a controversial decision and definitely swung the game into Redhouse's favour, as Sassco put up an excellent first half fight.
Sassco produced one of their most stubborn performances for many years, mainly down to Davinder Sangha taking the reigns in Michael Pearson's absence. Privately, many players after the game said that Sangha's grasp and knowledge of football is far superior to the incumbent Coach, Michael Pearson. One anonymous source, when asked If Sangha should usurp Mickey Pearson's role said, "I naar that."
Sassco were depleted. Muers had to call off before the game, while Mickey Oliver dropped the team in it again. Jack Wright was roped in and there were "debuts" for Callum Howe and Lee Ramsay.
A disappointing defeat, especially as Sassco were still in with a chance right until the death...
*This report is littered with inaccuracies, cynicism and downright lies as the scoreline could be wrong.
