As one contender left so another entered as the Lumberjacks entered the arena hoping to fell the Shambles.

Many of the assembled Shambles hurriedly tried to draw in their breath to recover for the imminent duel. we sounded like half a dozen life support machines running simultaneously.

Fresh legs were coming in in the form of Keith and Chris.

I took my place, gasping, on the bench. Having endured the first game I was slightly worried what to expect. The Lumberjacks had had around 45mins rest, whilst we had just had a battle royale to come back.

Time to start. Darth Dave blew his whistle....

Tim rolled the ball slightly from the centre spot, Craig hit it straight, with no real power. the ball missed the first man, went past the next defender, gently rolled into the area and gently.....ROLLED PASSED THE KEEPER.......Score-lachio.........1-0. How did that go in.? It was moving slower than Flash does. Result.

The Lumberjacks shook their heads and gestured in despair. But that was to prove only the opening concerto in a suite of misery. The Shambles were destined to be the conductor getting the ball to dance to their tune.

The first was soon followed by a second as the maestro Bandit got on the end of a free kick set piece....Goooo-aal....2-0.

Minutes later, Rob decided to go on a solo, his effort was just saved by the keeper but the maestro was there again to tap in the rebound...Gooo-aal.....3-0. We'll give that one to Rob for his efforts.

What a different game. The Shambles were like a well oiled machine.

Next up HRH, playing his usual defensive role up front, he stroked the ball into the net......Goooo-aaal.....4-0.

As the first half started, so it ended with a Craig goal.....Gooo-aal.....5-0.

Once again Craig called the group to a huddle for a gee-up chat.

To begin with the second half did not start too well with the Lumberjacks striking.....5-1.

However, the Shambles team were using ll the professional means at theat disposal. Rob was a fitting example, employing a range of tricks to unbbalance the defender when appearing to be beaten. He also enjoyed a 3-4 minute solo session up front, in the best possible taste, as others took a breather.

Keith was marshalling the troops when rearguard action was required. Craig was reminding one or two people that he was there by leaving a calling card.

The Shambles were given another free kick. Our kicks may take foerever to take but they are proving to be wirth it, especially for Bandit....Score-lachio......6-1.....HATTRRICK.

Not resting on his laurels, another free kick lead to another Bandit gooooo-aaal 7-1.....Four-fer.

Finally, our offensive defender (in all its contexts), strode up to score a second.....Goooo-aaal.....8-1.

Final whistle. The Shambles were still standing tall as the Lumberjacks were axed.

A strange but profitable night as each game proved the opposite to what was expected. 

Games in hand played, we find ourselves in the nice position of being top dog for now. Let's hope we can maintain it...UP THE SHAMBLES.