Our very own Dave Graham single handily (his own words) took on a mainly youth based Cheltenham Town FC in a friendly for his Royal Corps of Signals team. He wasn’t able to prevent a 2-0 defeat, which doesn’t bode well for his appearance against West Auckland.

To further quote Dave Graham, his technical analysis of the game was summed up in a few sentences, “F**k me they were quick. We gave as good as we got though. It was a tough 90 minutes, really quick pace.”

This follows a pattern where Dave Graham had previously spent ninety minutes representing Sassco by battering and along with Stoker, bullying another mainly youth team, Forest Hall, who were recently defeated (match video available in the Media / Video section).

The match report for the Cheltenham game and photos are available on the Cheltenham Town FC website which can be seen by clicking here. The football section in the Royal Signals website can be seen by clicking here.

The post Dave Graham takes on Cheltenham Town. appeared first on Sassco.co.uk.

3-0 down. Simma the Legend, McConville the Hero, Stoker the Albanian.

An away trip up North to Geordie Land. The Tyne Tunnel was closed, so it was the long way around. Paul Mc had Stoker and Gourlay, I had three, Simma had three. We were facing Forest Hall again. Last Summer, we somehow came away with a 3-2 win, despite intense pressure from a good team.

The game itself? Well, what a turnaround. 3-0 down and seemingly dead and buried against a bunch of youthful whippets. It didn’t seem to be Sassco’s day. The 4-5-1 formation failed, mainly because both Gourlay and Dave Graham didn’t support Titch in attack.

The team was strong enough, with only Langan, Dixon and Emu missing. Even though the first half was disjointed, the team limited Forest Hall’s chances in a scrappy game. Macca had a “dummy out” moment as he continued his poor form from the last game. We conceded two quick goals in the opening and failed to get an momentum going. The game also flared up with both Stoker and Graham complaining to the referee about bad challenges. Stoker was incensed as their number 8 was winding him up. The referee (who was a stand in ref) threatened to abandon the game at one stage.

Recently updated comments on YouTube show that Forest Hall clearly haven’t got over this defeat and use colourful language to describe Gareth Stoker.

The two goals were poorly conceded, but a third was nearly given. Marky Mark slotted in for Stoker (who wanted to come off) but was put into a difficult position and gave a penalty away. Simma saved it. Simma was a true legend in this game. He made so many saves it’s hard to count them. He kept the opponents at bay until we decided to get back into it. Well done, Simma.

Second half we went back to 4-4-2. Dave Graham partnered Titch up front. Tim went left wing and Nelly on the right. Campbell slotted in as left back. They still scored. The game was at 3-0 and it looked lost.

Then the comeback. Gourlay put away a penalty and the confidence was up. Ten minutes later, we’d scored five goals. By now, Stoker had come on in attack with Dave Graham. The second goal for Sassco came quickly from Nelly and instantly we gained a third when McConville, who had a brilliant game, scored to seal the comeback. We weren’t finished. Dave Graham and Stoker both leapt for a header from Nelly’s pin point cross and Graham got the goal. 4-3 and then even better: 5-3. Stoker’s Brazilian / Albanian skills saw the ball roll from his nose to his leg. He flicked it and struck a piledriver. I was so gobsmacked that I didn’t manage to get it on camera. I was just staring in disbelief like all the players on the pitch.

By this time, Titch was itching to come on. He did but immediately gave the ball away and got a bollocking. Forest Hall reduced the arrears to 5-4. But Titch justified his return and scored a fine goal where he turned the opponent inside and out. Stoker actually set up McConville’s goal and Titch’s goal.

This has got to be one of our most memorable victories and games. Thank God it’s all on camera. As mentioned, I missed Stoker’s goal mind you.

Quotes attributed to the players after the game*:

“Sangha was inspirational. His half time team talk was mind bending and we immediately set out and fulfilled his instructions. He’s a great person.” Marc McDermont.

“Dov’s the reason why I play football. Nothing better than playing for Sassco.” Neil Richardson.

“If Dov says I’m wasted at left back, then I’m wasted at left back. He knows the players to the last detail and everyone should respect him.” Dave Gourlay.

_{*These quotes are not guaranteed to be accurate.}

The post Forest Hall FC 4 Sassco.co.uk 6. appeared first on Sassco.co.uk.

It’s finally happened. After around eight years of battles against each other, William Harper (commonly known as Billy, The Tash and various other names) has decided to cut his losses and jump into bed with the enemy (not literally, thank God).

On a serious note, the world renowned William Harper, will operate in the role vacated by Gourlay and Richardson before him. We will also endeavour to kit him up in coordination with Adidas equipment. General Manager, Davinder Sangha, will pull the squad together as before, but it will be down to Mr. Harper to put his tactical knowledge in place prior to the games. His first appearance is most likely to be on our game on the 11th against Forest Hall.

Mr. Harper spent the last season with Sporting Redhouse, but prior to that had stints in charge of Sunderland North, Sporting Club Sunderland and the infamous Toddy’s (details available in the Archive Section).

His playing days saw him debuting for Sassco in their first ever game in 2002, with sporadic appearances up until 2005. Since then he was mainly involved in the Castlepark Junior’s team.

The post New Coach: William “Billy” Harper. appeared first on Sassco.co.uk.