A superb and at times heroic performance by a Ship side that hadn't played together for over a month, saw them snatch a dramatic late win that sees them go through to the quarter-finals of the London Sunday FA Cup.
It started with a typical Ship preparation for the first game of 2009. Late arrivals, an innovative new warm-up routine by Digger (plain jogging across the width of the pitch....then a bit faster...then a bit slower...then finishing with a flourish - a few yards of 'groins') and finally a rousing speech by Rob - "don't worry lads, no-one really gives a shit".
The match kicked-off on Chiswick's 'lesser' pitch (a boggy, sloping bastard brother of the more glamourous ones across the road) and despite facing early pressure it became clear that it was going to be a tight game. However, the Essex boys took the inevitable gift of a lead when The Ship switched off at a set-piece and they nodded themselves in front. The Ship fought back and a puffing Ollie Hurrey slogged away in the right channel but couldn't find a decent shot or cross for all his endeavour (a bit like a fat, shit Aaron Lennon). The Ship settled down and started playing some superb one-touch football and despite not being able to find the equaliser, the feeling at half-time was that they could win the game.
A confident Ship began the second-half but it was Enfield that found themself presented with a string of chances and it was only a combination of the lucky, brave and brilliant from keeper Si that kept them out. However, Digger is always a theat from set-pieces and with Tinsley's delivery, it wasn't a surprise but it was certainly a relief when the big centre-half powered in at a corner to draw The Ship level. It was not long after this that we saw a pivotal moment in the match. Replacing Rob just after half-time - Graham Charman, desperate to show he was more than just a rubbish linesman, was playing well at left-back but with Enfield pouring forward looking for the winner, he found himself becoming The Ship's saviour. Si found himself out of position after clearing the ball and it eventually fell to the Enfield striker 12 yards out. He went to roll the ball into the corner assuming the diminutive Charman on the goal-line would have no chance. Suddenly, the spin classes and years of poor drunken break-dancing all proved worthwhile as a flying splits enabled him to get his studs to the ball and nick it on to the post to deny what seemed a certain goal.
Extra-time loomed but The Ship slogged away as Enfield tired and it was a moment of sheer genius by the magic Tinsley and a piece of opportunism by Hurrey that saw The Ship snatch a dramatic winner in the dying minute. Tinsley controlled a beautifully clipped ball into the box and Shearer & Sutton/Sheringham, Yorke & Cole or Dalglish & Rush couldn't have done better as he gently back-heeled the ball perfectly into the path of the on-rushing Hurrey who took a touch before lashing a swerving shot into the roof of the net. All-hands-to-the-pump defending followed the wild celebrations and The Ship marched triumphantly into the quarters at the expense of a visibly gutted Enfield Royals. A brilliant result, thanks to exceptional performances all over the pitch. Is their name on the biggest trophy in lowly London Sunday League football?
