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Miffstock 2001 - Football Tournament 8 teams + around 30 spectators turned up to the Miffstock Football Challenge Cup finals on Sunday Lunchtime. After a delay while the Dust N' Bones team stocked up on cigarettes and Jack Daniel's in Tescos, the team photos were shot and the first matches kicked off at around 1.15pm. Match 1 saw the rather fearsome looking FATM take on the surfer dudes of The Indigo Sunrise. After a tight first 5 minutes, the sunrise posse took the lead with a brilliant solo run & finish from former Remember Jealousy drummer Bruce Woodford. This seemed to knock FATM's confidence and they went further behind when Bruce's brother Craig planted a great shot past Clyde in the FATM goal. Half time couldn't come soon enough for FATM, especially for number 69 Throbber Spyker who was desperate to change his PVC shorts!. But things got worse for them after the half time interval when Nicky P scored after good work from Chip Dale, and Bruce scored again just before the final whistle to give The Indigo Sunrise a rather flattering 4-0 victory. Match 2 meanwhile featured the much fancied Miffs Team playing the big boys of The Brothers Jaf. Miffs team certainly caught the eye with their excellent footwork and cute pigtails, but this wasn't enough to curb the winning instincts of the men in orange. The occasion looked for a moment as if it might get the better of Kev from Jaf, who asked to be pulled off at half time. However, he managed to compose himself and help guide his team to a 9-4 win. If it wasn't for the goalkeeping heroics of B in the Miffs Team goal, the winning margin could have been higher. Match 3 saw the cup's first Derby match, as the evil Dust N' Bones (BOOOOOO!!!) took on the beautiful Icklebugs (HOORAY!). This match had it all - skilful play from Matt 'Slipknot' Andrews (who looked to beat the Icklebugs single handed), more super goal keeping this time from Kara Sayers who made a brilliant penalty save, and a red card for Duff Young who had a run in with the match official Mr Van Lancker. It was a close fought game, where Dust N' Bones came back from 3-1 down to take the game to Penalties. Holly& Melvin's mum Pat was the first to miss as her shot just skimmed Andrews' Left post. Andrews replied, but saw his shot magnificently stopped by Kara Sayers, who really was on top form. Kara & Magalie Dale then buried their penalties and Axl Wood blasted his shot well over Tanbridge School to mean that the pressure was on Phil Reaper to score to keep Dust N' Bones in the tournament. DM's aren't the best footwear when playing football, and this was proved when Phil's shot sailed high over the bar and landed somewhere near Axl's previous effort to see Icklebugs through to a semi final clash against the Indigo Boys. If Match 3 was full of family entertainment, Match 4 between The Apologists and HDLMA required an 18 certificate. It was obvious from the start that several HDLMA players wanted blood. However, they didn't bargain on the sublime skills of Kev, Jack, Whistler & co, who used their superior skills to run rings round them. The eventual 4-0 score line was a great win for the Apologists, and just what the dirty HDLMA swines deserved! It was then time for the semi finals - Jaf vs The Apologists proved to be a very tight match indeed. Here Jaf underlined their championship credentials with some resolute defending against the more skillful but less organised Apologists. The Apologists will rue several missed opportunities but fought well. The final 3-0 scoreline to Jaf was somewhat flattering but Mickey 'The Cat' Holmes played a blinder in the Jaf goal to keep a clean sheet and break the Apologists hearts. The 2nd Semi Final looked, on paper, to be a tough encounter with both Nicky P & Craig of 'Sunrise facing their 'better halves' and 'Chip' Dale facing his big sis Magalie. In reality, 2 early poachers goals from Sawyer plus a left foot screamer from P saw the Indigo boys coast to an early lead and not look back. The subs cam on at half time and for a moment it looked as if the lively Gregory McLarnen in midfield for the Icklebugs could drag his team back into the contest. Enter Charley Weaver. The 'sunrise youth team superstar scored a 2nd half hatrick and in reality could have had 5 were it not for more excellent work from Kara Sayers for the Icklebugs. The 3rd place play-off between The Icklebugs & The Apologists was played out in a great spirits, as all the younger spectators were encouraged to join in. This lead to a rather chaotic scene from Mr Van Lancker to officiate, but he did the job well and even had a shot himself in the 2nd half. The Icklebugs just coasted past their oponents in this one 6-4 to claim 3rd place in the Miffstcok Challenge Cup, again thanks to some excellent goal keeping. All eyes were then on the final. It was set to be a classic, with both teams out to prove themselves against their rivals. The more experienced Brothers Jaf & the skillful Indigo Sunrise had thrown numerous insults at each other during the build up to the competition, but nobody expected them to play each other in the deciding match so it was sure to be a brilliant game for the neutrals. Mr Van Lancker got things moving, and The Indigo Sunrise went straight onto the offensive. They attacked in numbers and were unlucky not to score early on. But the Jaf boys kept their composure, and their effective defensive style began to pay off as they started to edge the possession. The Sunrise boys were lucky to hold on during a spell of sustained pressure on their goal, but Phil Tidy finally made the break through with an impressive dribble and finish. Jaf scored again straight from the restart after Kev The Juggernaut piled through to power home a shot from the edge of the area that Sawyer in the Indigo goal couldn't have even seen. Indigo were on the ropes, and their problems were compounded with a cameo goal from Steve Weaver that made it 3-0 at half time. Disorganised and deflated, the Indigo Sunrise had to get off to a flying start in the 2nd half to avoid a thrashing, and got the perfect start from Craig Woodford who planted a great shot past 2nd string keeper Weaver. Thoughts on the pitch were that a better keeper could have got to it, but the fact remained that The Indigo Sunrise were back in the game. Moments later, a vicious scything tackle on the Ginola-esque Nicky P just outside the Jaf box by Kev meant the Indigo Boys had a direct free kick. A classic training ground move saw Chip Dale lay off delicately to the right foot of Nick P, who's venomous shot rattled the inside of Weavers' cross bar. Somehow the shot stayed out, and with it the sunrise began to fade. Phil Tidy saw his opportunity for further glory and made several more impressive forays into the Sunrise half, but each time his final touch let him down. Mickey Holmes, then made a great run down the left, but again a poor finish helped keep the scoreline respectable. All eyes were then on Mr Van Lancker who played a minutes stoppage time, before putting the Indigo Boys out of their misery. Jaf were victorious and were given a standing ovation by all sections of the supporters. It was a scene that would put Rocky IV to shame, but they proved that they still have the winning instinct intact and went on to lift the mighty Miffstock Cup that evening to a capacity crowd of jubilant fans at the Broadbridge Heath Sports Centre bar. Thank you's must go out to everyone who sponsored this event and all the supporters who came along on the day to cheer on their teams. Special thanks must go to Mr Adrian Van Lancker for officiating so marvellously throughout the afternoon. Roll
Of Honour
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