Saturday 25th Jan Bupham away. Just typing that sends shivers down my spine, I imagine this is how Chelsea players of the 80’s felt knowing they were travelling to Millwall and ‘The Old Den’. A mixture of fear and adrenaline spiking through the body. Even our two fans were up for this one with neither wanting to miss this clash. Indeed, to avoid being turned away by Police enroute to Sutherland Memorial Park outside the box thinking was needed. Spence came up with the ingenious idea of dressing up as a player as per an over excited 6 year old wearing his FC Shepperton kit, shin pads and boots. Sam went a different route jumping into his electric/gasoline hybrid car and posing as a middle aged man out for a leisurely Saturday drive. Both made it unscathed to the ground, their commitment is to be admired.
Having been beaten by this mob immediately prior to our Christmas shindig in late December the team was hell bent on revenge. Team orders were to make the old boy EB captain for the day, knowing he would be a leader of men akin to the legendry Colonel H Jones whose fate was sealed in heroic fashion during the battle of goose green. EB’s first decision was as tactical as a German pincer movement. He won the toss and noting the sun was directly in Kings eyes at the Ripley end of the ground he chose to swap ends. The move looked to have been the correct call as with the sun on their backs and a slight breeze helping Shepperton soon took the initiative dominating possession in the opponents half. Dave Symons looked mightily impressive on the left flank having grown about a foot and developed skills we didn’t know he possessed. Aaron and Callum were dominating the midfield battle and Scotty was causing the left back nightmares much like Miacon experienced post Gareth Bale. The breakthrough came after 25 minutes when a long throw from the skipper was flicked on by Aaron and was finished by Dave with a magnificent bicycle kick, one even the great Trevor Sinclair would have been proud of. Buoyed by the goal Shepperton continued to attack with the old boy and new captain EB setting up Scotty for one of several clear cut opportunities that the team managed to squander. Try as they might the second goal just would not come. When Callum skipped past three tackles inside the box it looked like the elusive second was nailed on only for his left foot shot to roll agonisingly past the far post. Fortunately the second goal did arrive five minutes before half time. Harry, sporting a barnet not seen since Harlem in the 1970’s, finally managed to use the wind to Shepperton’s advantage swinging in a decent corner which found the far corner of the net after evading many attempted headers. Shepperton were happy to take a two-nil lead into half time although in truth the game should have been out of sight for Burpham.
Gascoigne gathered his men a gave a rousing half time speech much like Churchill speaking to the nation during its darkest hours during the 2nd World War. Despite having a two goal lead the slight breeze was now a full on gale and would be blowing directly towards Shepperton’s goal for the entire second half. A defensive display not seen since Chelsea V Barca in the champions league Semi Final 1st leg of 2011 would be needed for Shepperton to take the three points. This was going to be like the Alamo.
After twenty minutes of the second half things were looking good for the away team. Despite camping in Shepperton’s half the home team had not managed to create any clear cut chances. The back four of Stacey, Carter, Brooksy and Chris Burkett were proving to be much more effective than the Maginot line and their defenses could not be penetrated. However, disaster struck. King had come to the edge of his box to clear an over hit through ball when Mother nature showed all her awesome power by delivering a gust of wind which up rooted the mighty King along with his two tree trunks for legs and placed him firmly on his back allowing the non-threatening through ball to roll downhill, downwind towards the untended Shepperton Goal. Brooksy chased valiantly, looking quite dashing too I must add, but his despairing goal line clearance could not keep the ball out. The home team were back in the game and displayed a new vigor for a result. King chastised by his own fallability in the face of Mother nature could have crumbled but instead rose to the occasion like someone befitting of his name. He duly came to catch and punch many dangerous deliveries away from goal during the next 25 minutes. Despite huffing and puffing Burpham couldn’t knock down the Shepperton door and after a lengthy period of added time Harry, resembling an upturned mop, took the ball to the opposition’s corner before the ref finally blew the whistle signaling 3 well earned points for the away team.
Gascoigne who in the image of Colonel H Jones had sacrificed himself and his hamstrings in the final assault against the hard working opponents punched the air with delight. This had been a last stand with a better outcome than that of Custer. Inspired by the teams effort even our travelling fans stood their ground against the 8 home fans and returned home unscathed able to live to tell the story of a magnificent away win for Shepperton. The defensive display of all 12 men who took the field that day will live long in the memory.
Man of the match goes to young Callum for a tireless display in the middle of the park but an honerable mention to Chris Burkett and Brooksy at centre half for a dominant display - These are guys you'd want beside you in the trenches....
