After a poor start to the season, the Shambles talisman and captain, Tim, rang the changes. Tom was to share the goal keeping responsibilities with Ian and Dave was dropped with Ad being brought in to replace him. Well, that was the plan, and it was a plan Dave was not happy with, so much so that 24 hours later the official web site was down and Ad was in hospital nursing a broken collar bone. The injury occurred during a hit and run incident with Ad’s last memory being of a whispering voice saying “we’ll see who’s dropped Shirehorse?!” By match day Dave was back in and Ad was at the start of a 4 week lay off.

Things went from bad to worse on the pitch with the Shambles suffering there forth straight loss. It wasn’t all doom and gloom however, with the Shambles putting in a much improved performance. The match began well and within minuets the Shambles were leading 1-0; a little flick from Paul put Chris through on goal with only the keeper to beat, the defender showed great composure and slotted the ball into the top right corner. It was a pity the big defender didn’t have such a composed game at the other end, as twice in the first half he made clearances that went straight to opposition players who calmly put the ball in the back of the net. By half time it was 3-1 to the Mugs.

Tom replaced Ian in goal for the second half and again the Shambles scored early when a penalty was given against the Mugs, a penalty that Paul despatched with confidence. So it was 3-2 and the shambles were back in it. A period of good Shambles play followed, but unfortunately there was no end product, but as they pushed harder, it was The Mugs who scored, catching the Shambles on the break twice to make it 5-3 and this was how it ended. Shambles fans could take heart from a much improved performance, but it looks like they will be bottom of the league at Christmas; let’s hope this isn’t an omen.