Lavant 0 - Wheatsheaf 6

‘Oh my god I can’t believe it, we’ve never won like this away from home’. Was the statement from Wheatsheaf manager Dave Usher after seeing his side record a very impressive result. It was a justified result as the Wheatsheaf outplayed and outfought their opponents. Playing in their new Orange kit, it was at times like watching the Dutch dogs of war when going down to 10 men after 10 minutes.

The Wheatsheaf knew that they were in for some strict, but good referring, when the old Bob Minty made an appearance. Bob takes no prisoners and showed that he will not tolerate any backchat or swearing directed at him. A view reciprocated by the Wheatsheaf management. Bob has a reputation for holding a grudge but the Wheatsheaf could have had no complaint when the token ‘sweaty’ Dave McDonald was given his marching orders. Coming from the same city that has produced talents like Kenny Dalgish and Alex Ferguson. The Scottish FA must be feeling the repercussions from a lack of funding over the past 20 years in the coaching as Dave, and a mature Dave at that, managed the school boy error of a foul throw, twice! Feeling rather embarrassed he took out his frustrations on the referee with some colourful Scottish pleasantries and was sent packing 10 minutes into the game. For a strange reason, losing Dave jumped started the Wheatsheaf into action.

Richard Ragless was back in his usual role at the centre of defence, playing like a gritty northerner from Leeds. Heading and tackling every thing that came his way. This style of play suits Raggy as he doesn’t have to do any thinking. Especially as his defensive partner was Scott Adams who played with the same guile and panache as Lucas Radebe guiding his team throughout the game with constant talking and encouragement.

The Wheatsheaf took the game to Lavant and with a never say die attitude, took the lead when Birch steamed up from behind and spotted the gap from which he banged it home with power and precision. Then it was the James Fallick show. A little pep talk from manager Dave Usher on Saturday night seemed to do the trick as straight from the start of the second half Fallick saw the ‘keeper off his line and scored from the kick off!! A truly remarkable feat from the youngster. A few observers questioned how James managed to actually see the ‘keeper from that far away but they certainly didn’t want to raise the issue. James playing as a lone striker was full of beans charging onto an endless amount of fantastic passes and caused problems all over the place for the Lavant defence. A free kick was duly dispatched through the wall and past the dive of the goalkeeper to make it 3-0. He was rewarded with another goal when a deep Karl Shackleton cross was intelligently headed back across goal by Villa giving him a simple tap in. The Wheatsheaf were awarded another free kick and while Gavin Sutton was standing there with his hand held out playing ‘scissor, paper, stone’ Fallick ignored him and curled the ball into the top corner. Fallick rounded off a fine Wheatsheaf win with another goal to make it 6-0. Karl Shackleton had an impressive game upping his work rate to twice the norm to help control the midfield with Villa, who won nearly everything in the air, and the consistent Shane Sutton.

After it was all back to the Wheatsheaf where Carol and Eileen put on another fantastic lunch for the boys. Goalkeeper Alex, who was struggling from getting hammered and dancing the ‘Road Runner’ up Sheiks the previous night for club gypsy Lee Baldwin’s birthday, couldn’t handle the hotness of the chilli and said ‘You can have it all’ if you want to. Which was duly dispatched.