This was the first game in a double header for the Shambles. With this in mind, I'd enlarged the squad to ensure we could cope.

I have to be honest and say that previous encounters had lead me to think that this would be the easier game, but by no means easy.

Prior to the start I was made aware of an apparently new Boy in the Hood for Westside. I told the gang to make sure that someone paid special attention to him.

'Officer Dibble' Dave, blew the whistle to start proceedings.

After a few early clashes it was the Shambles who drew first blood as 'Cuban' Craig slotted home.....rat-a-tat-a-tat........1-0

This early attack stung the Westsiders into a positive response. They soon equalised 1-1.

From this point onwards the Shambles form declined. Whatever we tried did not remotely come off and we were suddenly chasing shadows in the dark. The Westsiders soon struck again to take a 2-1 lead.

I struggled to watch what was going on around me, we were all playing like we were trying to save our energy and it was costing us. We had well and truly been ambushed.

Westsiders were in their pomp and easing through the game. They went on the offensive again and struck a beautiful third goal high into the net. Deserved 3-1 lead.

Half time.

'Cuban' Craig gathered the gang in a huddle to gee up the boys.

The second half commenced. The Westsiders were still holding their own and the Shambles struugled to find a way through.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man.............Going on the offensive from the rearguard up strode 'Hitman' Holmes to pull one back......rat-a-tat-tat.........3-2.

There was now a hint of momentum in the Shambles game. Positively a Shambles gang member asked 'Officer Dibble' Dave how long was left....4 minutes.

'Dangerous' Dave and 'Chopper' Rob were bringing their defensive qualities to the fore. 'Cuban' Craig was mixing it up front.

Someone is missing I hear you cry. Don't worry Shambles' fans, he was there woking away and was just about to get his reward.......Rat-a-tat-tat.....'Young Turk' Tim strikes again.......3-3. Cah in that get out of Jail card...a point is going to be better than none at all I was thinking... I'll take it.

The Westsiders were not really doing much now but surely a draw was on the cards....Not on your nelly!!

Going forward again up popped 'Cuban' Craig  to hit what was to be the winner.....rat-a-tat-a-tat.......4-3. Yes....4-3!!

Game over....what an escape. This season the Shambles are the Wiseguys and are determined to protect their position in the pecking order. Whilst never truly getting going, sheer team work and resillience saw them claw their way back towards being Numero Uno.

Now for game 2.........