Grange Gunners (Home)

Date: Saturday 6th October '07         
Time: 10:30                                             
Competition: County Cup
Location: Home

St Albans Romans                    5 (1)
  Whittaker (2) (58', 66')
  Kemp (5')
  Gray (50')
  Kumar (90')

Grange Gunners                          2 (1)


Match Report

Steve Whittaker’s Farewell Gig Ends On Winning Note

There were a few tears shed and some warm embraces in the Romans changing room (and showers Will?) after what could be Steve Whittaker’s last game for Romans.

With “Wee Stevie”  about to do some soul searching in the Far East, Romans were determined to send him on his way with a warm feeling.

Things were looking good when Kemp raced onto a misplaced header from the Grange defence to curl in a sweet left footer after only 5 minutes.

Romans were pretty much on top and spurned a few good chances when, on 32’, some indecisive play saw Grange equalise with a well taken goal.

HT 1-1  a couple of tactical observations made, Whitty minutes away from retirement.

Five minutes from the restart and Romans regained the lead after more good work from the impressive Kemp. A routine finish for Gray.

Romans were playing with much more purpose now and on 58’ a Lanham free-kick was headed, back across the goal by Harris for Whittaker to finish with aplomb. 

3-1 up and Whitty had his leaving present.

Whitty wasn’t finished yet and with an eye on his fantasy points per game average he latched on to a Kumar through ball did a Pele dummy on the ‘keeper and slotted the ball home on 66’ to make it 4-1.

On the 72^nd minute the Gaffer deemed Whitty too emotional to carry on and he was substituted and thereby denied his last ever chance of a hat-trick for the team he loves more than thrash metal itself.

A standing ovation from the 6 team mates who realised the poignancy of the moment moved Laurence to tears and he must surely have still had a few in his eyes when a speculative looking effort from somewhere near the halfway line dropped over his end on 88’ to make it 4-2. 

Romans surged forwards and still had time to catch Grange on the break and score the best goal of the match when a pinpoint cross from Gray was met with a bicycle kick from Kumar to make it 5-2.

A good win, and good 2^nd half performance. 

MOTM – Steve “Wee Stevie” Whittaker, we’ll miss you man.  (edges out Phil Kemp due to the cartwheel factor).

STOP PRESS – Lanham misses out Guinness Book of Records entry as it has no section for “slowest substitute preparation”.