[Chief Rum]

August 24, 2002

Tommy Ridgely: Poppy fans, the start of the match is just seconds away, as the players come on the pitch.

It looks like all three new additions will be in the lineup this week. Chris Thompson will be at Itonga's normal spot, and Ryan Trudgian will be at Murray's. Shaun Murray was pushed back to an attacking midfield spot ina new tactic, which will get to ina bit. Scotsman Andy Dowie will man one of the midfield spots. Also, Brett Solkhon will return to the lineup today after missing the Stevenage match with soreness from last Saturday's Barnet match. Solkhon played strong ball against barnet, and the defense definitely missed him in Stevenage.

Now, for the big news. As Mr. Kieta said he would, he is tinkering with the lineup and the tactics, and today, it appears his men will march out in a three-defender set, mostly huddled in front of the box. Howarth and Norman are back in the center with Solkhon as company.

In front of them will be a full five midfielders, including Murray. Niall Inman and Scott Goodwin will take the wide spots. Dowie and Dany Holyoak will form a defensive midfield middle. And Murray will take the advance position and play the free role that has been thrust upon him so far in this young season.

And, as mentioned, the front crew will feature the Poppies' two new striker additions, Thompson and Trudgian. Will it be TNT, the new powerful striker explosion we have envisioned in our dreams? Or will it be a dud? Only time will tell.

While I am certain both will use any and all means in their disposal to score, Mr. Kieta assured me that Thompson is meant to be the creator, the guy with a iron shot blast, while Trudgian is the air man, the target for those wicked crosses by Inman and Goodwin.

The Boro played a tight match at home against Stevenage last Saturday before falling, 1-0. Tuesday, though, they were absolutely obliterated by Woking on the road. So this is not a hot team by any means. The first goal scored will be the first for either side, assuming one is scored at all, of course. May the Good Lord spare us from a 0-0 slugfest.

The players look set, and the ref is about to blow his whistle. Scarborough will start with it, so let's go to the match...

1st minute

...Campbell cuts it back to David Holdsworth to start it up. Holdsworth has Thompson near him. He moves down to the right wing--still not across the mid line. Thompson approaches...Holdsworth lofts the ball toward the left end of the midline and Dryden. Dryden collects it under pressure--OH! But a sharp interception by Inman! He's got a clear pitch down the right wing, Dryden in pursuit. Woods is moving over...Inman is closing to the corner and turning to the net...Dryden still behind. TNT are approaching the box! Thompson a step on Holdsworth! Inman with the cross...to Thompson!....GOAL! He blasted it passed Woods! And the Poppies are no longer scoreless this young season! What a debut kick for Thompson! Woods was on him, but he just couldn't handle the sheer strength of the Thompson's kick. It flew past him with nary a move toward it, right in the back of the net!...

3rd minute

...Gilroy sets up for the free kick. This one is just outside the box. Bowling is set. He steps up, looks like a shot coming...oh, but he shoots it too high! That shot was nowhere near the net, way over the bar!...

29th minute

...Goodwin with the throw in...Holyoak knocks it back to Norman on the line. Fatokun applying the pressure...but Norman shoots it forward, ricocheting off of Baker...and finds Thompson alone near the box! Thompson is trying to run onto the ball as Henry and Jordan close down, but he gets there...Thompson turns and lifts a floater into the goal box...There's Trudgian! Oh, but a soft header just falls into Woods' hands. Trudgian was well put off by Ridler there, but a nice setup by Thompson...

31st minute

...Inman with the corner...he sends it spiralling high throught he goal box--It's Fatokun with the head clear...Norman leads the mass and reaches is first...still a mass in the box...Norman centres it...Trudgian! Scores! GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL! What a beautiful play, and, oh, the Boro are playing bad defense. How that pass wheedled its way in there I'll never know. There must have been four Boro defenders near Trudgian when he got to that one...he simply turned and powered it to the net, and he was too close for Woods to react in time! The Gods are similing on Mr. Kieta today! Both of his striker adds have scored in their debuts, and the Poppies have a 2-0 lead! Oh, the terraces are swaying...

Halftime

...Well, well, what a difference a loan makes, eh? Kettering holds a commanding 2-0 lead over the Boro, who seem completely unable to get any offense going. The trio of Howarth, Norman and Solkhon have been dominant in the air and with the clear outs, and Norman even nabbed an assist on the Trudgian score. TNT have been fantastic, each scoring today already!...

53rd minute

...Trudgian brings the ball down on his feet in the box! Back to the goal, but turning...OH! Here comes Baker with a nice steal, and Holdsworth clears it to the right...Goodwin comes down with it and advances toward the middle...not under pressure...he turns and knocks it foward, but Woods intercepts and holds!...That was rather weak all around...the defenders were nowhere near, but Goodwin's kick was as soft as a baby's blanket...Woods wasn't even really near the goal...that should have been the Poppies' third notch of the day...

83rd minute

...Goodwin throws it in...he overshot Thompson a bit, Holdsworth is on it...he sends it far up the right wing...Norman collects it with his head...he moves it forward to Goodwin...under pressure...ditches off to Murray in the middle. But Holdsworth takes it and moves down to Jordan...A brilliant push up by Dowie...Trudigan through on goal! Just Woods to beat...to the letf...OH! But he never saw Hotte! A great save by Hotte and he clears it...Wow, but Trudgian read that one well! He saw Dowie go for the tackle and he was right in place to get the rebound...too bad he never saw Hotte, who undercut the ball from the corner before Trudgian could bury it...

Final whistle

...Well, folks, there you have it. The Poppies take a well-played victory from this match, winning 2-0, against slumping Boro side from Scarborough. Thompson and Trudgian both score on a banner day for Mr. Kieta's new additions, and the Boro are fortunate to escape a worse score. Will this be a vision of things to come?...One can only hope...