The Shambles boasted a full side for this fixture. The Red Arrows only had 5 players and having witnessed their tactics for this match this reporter can probably see why.

The first 2-3 minutes were evenly contested, but the familiar Shambles frailty of concentration then made an appearance. Suddenly their defensive tactics went walkies.
It was like someone turned on a light in a very dark room full of moths as most of the Shambles team were drawn to the one player with the ball, allowing the opposition to score.

However undaunted, the Shambles soon equalized within seconds of making a substitution. Suddenly the Shambles were in stealth mode, and like veterans of the SAS, a rapier-like move saw the ball move from one end of the pitch to into the oppositions goal, the substitute Chris showing his now traditional deadly finish.

The Red Arrows were competitive, which during the game was to get out of hand. Their determined nature saw them take a 3-1 lead into the break.

There was a slight look of disarray at half time in the Shambles camp, some players trying to draw in breath looking like a fish out of the water.

Now for the second half, which was not pleasant viewing for the squeamish.

This half saw the Shambles concede again quite early and things were looking ominous, players that had shown perfection at times up front allowed their loose passing to hijack their game. However in true Shambles tradition they rallied with almost perfect 5-a-side football, with a further two goals scored by Paul & Chris, making the score 5-3.

Captain Carthorse was showing determination on the pitch as he rallied his troops. This was apt, as the players later reported during the post-match conference, that it was like being in war.

Unfortunately, the clock and a last minute goal due to tired legs, finally beat the Shambles. Once again Shambles showed both the good and weak parts of their game, but generally showed great spirit under provocation.

Sadly the Red Arrows, despite their dominance on the score board, undo any credit they could have earned with yet another thuggish display. This reporter wonders whether only having 5 players is due to suspensions or bans?
Whilst being more consistently skillful going forward, they were certainly not sporting. Whenever faced with a tackle, or having lost the ball, they seemed to be afflicted with flailing limbs which somehow seemed to always make contact with a Shambles player.
I am sure that at least one of the players was in the wrong side of the gym as when challenged by a Shambles player about the aggressive tactics, he replied that it was a contact sport! Next time try the Judo next door !!

Apologies, but where has he been for the last 10 years or so, where the world football supremos, including Dave the ref, clearly state that this is not the case. Contact with the ball yes, players no. Perhaps he is kept in a cellar and fed on raw meat??

The ref had his own part to play. At times he was like an Italian traffic cop, using his arms a lot and blowing his whistle, but actually having no control and allowing a free-for-all.

Special mentions:
WHIZZY, BUSY, AND THEN DAVE GOT DIZZY!
DAVE turned in what looked like a lung busting effort at times (for Dave!). Yes, he was actually spotted running in a defensive manner.
However this effort soon took its toll, and at one point he looked like someone who had just stepped off a roundabout having done 2000 very fast revolutions and started running in circles.

TOM for his patience at one point when trying to roll the ball out. It seemed to take 5 mins before Paul finally was able to hoof it up field, the ball having spent an age going in and out of the Shambles area.

PAUL, who was understandably frustrated at times, amused me as I watched him walk around muttering like a suicide bomber reciting the death prayer prior to self-detonation (fortunately a self substitution was instigated in this instance). Thanks for the chuckle.