Hamsters v Mierosoft - 13/05/05

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The game started badly for the Hamsters, as it was Mierosoft who made the early running. They got the opening goal as well, as the ball switched to striker Ed Pitt, who delivered a pinpoint ball into the box. The cross was met superbly by Graeme Knight, the Mierosoft fan favourite, who crashed home a scorching drive into the roof of the net to give his side the lead. It was a fantastic goal that nobody in the Hamsters camp could argue with, as Knight wielded away in celebration. Mierosoft continued to push, and it was a surprise when Mac Industries grabbed the equaliser. Good play from the front two of Collin and Burbidge Airs down the left so BA fire in a shot which was destined for the back of the net. Chapman though had other ideas, as he stuck his foot out and diverted it in from 2 yards, to pull the Hamsters level. Despite the equaliser, Mierosoft remain in control, as Riley and Elliott test McCarthy from distance, before Pitt somehow doesn't connect to a cross, with the goal gaping. Mac Industries punish the missed chances though, as a good run from Burbidge Airs sees the ball fall to Chapman, who cracks in an unstoppable effort from distance, much to the delight of the Non-Clock End. Despite being under constant pressure, the Hamsters have taken their two chances and made them count.

It was short lived though, as McCarthy was forced into another save, at the expense of a corner. The resulting set piece was played into the box, and as a rather drunk Lane attempted to clear, it rebounded off the big defender, straight into the path of Ed Pitt, who was able to fire home into the open goal. The equaliser made Lane realise that maybe he was too drunk to play, and the decision of the management to take him off was applauded by the fans. However, it was not his last action of the game, as the bearded one sensibly ordered a kebab to aid the sobering up process. Ed Pitt should've put Mierosoft 3-2 ahead moments later, after McCarthy's rash decision to come for a long ball backfired, leaving Pitt with an open goal from 5 yards. Somehow, the Mierosoft striker managed to fire over the bar, much to the amazement of a capacity crowd at the Hamsters Cage. The miss inspired Mac Industries into life, as they finally started to get some periods of play. Davis was forced into 2 fine saves, before Chapman wrapped up his hat-trick. Dan Parry, making his debut after rave reviews in the youth team, hit a fabulous shot from 20 yards, which ricocheted off the upright, straight to Chapman, who duly stuck it away. Chapman scored yet again 5 minutes later, as he top poked the ball beyond Davis to wrap up a fantastic 30 minutes for the striker, as the Hamsters moved into a 2 goal lead with the score at 4-2

Mierosoft replied immediately though, as good play out wide from Riley saw the ball delivered to Elliott, who finished coolly past the advancing McCarthy to make it 4-3. Pitt was looking to avenge his earlier misses and add to his first goal, but couldn't find a way past McCarthy, as these two continued their fantastic personal battle that has developed in recent months. Bert Lloyd went close moments later, as a swift exchange of passes between him and Burbidge Airs saw the veteran players effort hit the side netting. It was a rare error from Sam Franks at the back that gave the Hamsters their 5th goal, as Burbidge Airs dispossessed the defender, with the ball falling to Parry, whose rare right footed effort beat Davis to give the youngster a goal on his debut. However, Mierosoft added a reply, as Mac Industries failed to deal with the long ball, something that has become a precedent this season, and it allowed Riley to win the header to Franks, whose clever one-two with Pitt saw the defender beat McCarthy from close range to make it 5-4. Mierosoft nearly grabbed an equaliser, as Chapman, who had been ominous since his 4th goal, lost the ball to Franks. His through ball was perfect, but Pitts heavy touch allowed McCarthy to come out quickly and save the resulting shot. The equaliser eventually came though, as Franks fooled Simpson on the left, and his pass was met by Riley, whose clever delay allowed Pitt in to score. Mierosoft took a deserved lead though, after good play again from Riley saw Pitt receive the ball. He managed to squeeze in the shot, which McCarthy managed to save at full stretch, but the rebound fell straight to Franks, who put the visitors in the lead.

It needed an influential figure to get the game back on track, and it was always going to be Dan Parry. After good play from Collin down the left flank, the ball fell to the youth team player, and he cracked in an unstoppable effort with his favored left foot to put the Hamsters level. Mierosoft regained the lead though, as Franks and Pitt combined to beat Simpson, and Franks was able to wrap up his hat trick, after McCarthy bizarrely got his legs tangled. It was a moment of worry for the physiotherapy team, as it looked as if the keeper had had a recurrence of his long-standing back trouble, but he continued between the sticks, foiling Riley on Mierosoft's next raid on the home teams goal. Dan Collin had yet to make his mark on the game, but he did with 5 minutes to half time. The striker, who was given the captains armband for the evening, had been relatively quiet, but that all changed when Lloyds switch of play found him wide on the left, and Collin beat his man before knocking the ball past Davis to send the teams in locked at 7-7 at half time.

The half time team talk obviously had the desired effect for Mac Industries, as they came out in the second half and instantly set about gaining the advantage. Bert Lloyd and then Dan Parry bought fantastic saves out of Davis, before the Hamsters took the lead. Doug Lane, who had now eaten his kebab and was considerably more sober, played a fine ball to Burbidge Airs, whose cross from the left was met instinctively by Collin to make it 8-7. It was soon 9-7, as a carbon copy of the last goal with exactly the same players involved so Collin wrap up his hat-trick. Franks pulled it back to 9-8 though, as his cheeky lob while McCarthy was pre-occupied was controversially allowed to stand by the officials. Dan Collin was having none of it though, and another goal from him it 10-8. However, Franks was again on hand to make it 10-9, before Riley grabbed an equaliser at 10-10, after McCarthy made another fine save from Pitt, only to see the rebound drop at the feet of the Mierosoft captain. Ian Simpson, who had been solid at the back, soon made his presence felt in attack, as he made it 11-10, shortly followed by goals from Burbidge Airs, his first for the club, and a 5th of the night for Collin. Pitt pulled it back to 13-11, and it was the last straw for McCarthy, as his back gave way, resulting in Peter Chapman playing the last 15 minutes between the sticks. The Hamsters Cage was soon on its feet though, as Scott McCarthy took a massive risk in throwing on Tom McCarthy for his first competitive action since breaking a leg prior to a Fulham trial. The chairman soon showed he still had it though, as his first contribution was to fall over, as Ed Pitt netted to pull it back to 13-12. It was soon 13-13, as Scott McCarthy's gamble looked like it would backfire, a mix-up between Lloyd and Chapman allowing Riley in to equalize

With the Hamsters defence looking shaky, Scott McCarthy re-introduces himself in defence alongside Ian Simpson, and the change instantly works. With the father-and-son McCarthy duo on the pitch, it is the Hamsters who are in total control. Ian Simpson goes on a powerful run, as he makes it from one box to the other before firing past Davis to score what is without a doubt the goal of the season. With the scoreline balanced at 14-13, its Collin, so inspirational as captain, who puts the game beyond all doubt by making it 15-13. Despite Mierosoft coming forward, the Hamsters defence look strong, and Tom McCarthy shows the touches that made him such a feared player back in the glory days. An error by Davis, as he misplaces a kick, sees Ian Simpson wrap the game up with a drive from distance, as the Hamsters hold onto a famous victory.

After the game, manager Scott McCarthy said: "It was pleasing to get the result, but first and foremost a congratulations to Mierosoft. When we started playing them at the start of the season we won very convincingly. Now, whenever we come off at the end, we know we have been in a game. Today was a great example. Both sides had the lead, both scored some cracking goals, and both wanted to win the game with attacking football. It was a fantastic spectacle from the sideline, and that is what its all about at the end of the day - and of course getting the result, which we have done today. It was a big bonus to see Dan Parry play as well as he did. He is still young, but tonight we have seen that he could be a very big player at this club. His left foot really is what we've missed this season, and I have no doubt he will go onto cement his place as a Hamsters legend. Peter Chapman was electric in the first half an hour, but then he died off. We know if we can excrete that sort of performance from him every week, we will be a tough side to beat. I was worried about the absence of Tom Walmsley before the game, but full credit to Dan Collin - he has far suprased expectations as captain, and it does mean I have a very tough decision to make as to who will be captain in the next game. Tom McCarthy looked sharp when he came on, and we know what he can do. The substitution was a risk, but it was without a doubt the turning point in the game. It will be hard to ignore him in terms of team selection from now on. All in all, a very pleasing evening. KEEP THE FAITH!"