A better start to the day for The Ship with 11 players, some pegs (courtesy of the Mrs's tent) and not a crazy Russian in sight as KO approached. However an awful sense of De Ja Vu was apparent for anyone who witnessed last weeks car crash as Lixus set about us in style. Playing in a Brazil kit, they didn't let us near the ball for the first 5 minutes and using the slippy conditions to their advantage, they caused havoc Then, 5 minutes in, a long ball forward and some Tinsley magic and it was 1.0 Ship. Lixus kicked off, took a shot straight from KO (it was crap)and then proceeded to batter us. Then another break out and a sublime Ollie Jones chip from 25 yards and it was 2.0 Ship. Lixus had another shocking attempt at being Beckham and The Ship at last took control of the game. The third goal was farcical and was also the signal for Lixus to press the big red "self destruct" button and start shouting at each other in some language I never learnt at GCSE's. Phil put a cross in and their left back inexplicably sliced it into his own net. The way the guy tried to hoof it forward but managed to send the ball backwards was a massive breakthrough for The Ship and for science. At this point you would think Lixus might change their 2-3-5 formation but no, they kicked off (yes they did shoot) and 2 mins later it was 4.0 as Ollie Jones crossed and Phil Lee headed home. That should have been it for the first half, but instead Phi reacted to being kicked by booting some little rat while he lay on the ground. Little rat then jumped up and tried to hit Phil, the Ref, most of his team, before taking his shirt off and going to sit on a rather soggy looking bench. The ref decided not to send Phil off and finally persuaded rat boy to come back on the pitch after a lengthy chat and the promise of a bag of his favourite Hairdo. The second half was a bit of a non event, but did see the Ship playing some delightful football with Dave, Stu, Adrian and Ollie linking up superbly. Kev the stand in goalie also let the chance of a clean sheet, literally slide underneath himself and Lixus sensed an improbable comeback when they pulled it back to 6.2. It didn't last however and a killer 7th goal and the final whistle saw a drenched Ship head back to the pub and a few beers. MOTM Ollie, but also special mention to our angry new centre half 'Digger'
