This Top Table clash of 2nd Place v 3rd got off with a dramatic start before a ball was kicked, as the teams lined up, Referee, Ronnie Faichen declared that the Bulls Centre forward David Short was suspended by the FA and could not play. Longbenton FC & Short had no knowledge of this as he has never ever been sent off. Clearly the FA had made some administration error, anyway after frantic phone calls the Bulls had to take referee Faichen's advice and not play David Short. This meant the only Sub the bulls had had to play, Rob Woods had to play out of position at Centre Forward and the team was reshuffled to adapt. Manager Thompson and Coach Howarth had to get stripped as subs.Unbelievable way to start a top table Clash.
The game did get started and the pre match drama of being disadvantaged inspired the whole team to put in a quality performance. Longbenton looked the better side , however , goalkeeper Martin Dixon, was required to make 2 world class saves in the first half to maintain the Bulls advantage. In 19th minute David Kane drove magnificent 25 yard diagonal ball to Chris SWORD on the back post.SWORD's first touch killed it dead, he side stepped the defender and scored. SWORD's pace was causing the visitor all sorts of problems and just before half time doubled his tally when Peter Webster skinned the right back and drilled in a perfect accurate low cross for SWORD to out pace the defence and score. 2 v. 0
Half-time 2 v 0
Early in the second half Newbiggin had a spell and from a free kick pulled it back to 2. V 1
The bulls still looked the better side and with 20 minutes to go SWORD picked the ball up out wide cut inside the full back beat the centre half and slotted past the keeper into the net, game over ! hat-trick for SWORDs 10th goal of the season. With only 5 mins to go again SWORD beat his man,crossed to the far post for Rob WOODS to score from 2 yards out
4 v 1.Final Score
As excellent result for the bulls.
Alex Nisbet was awarded man of the match