Sportspy Reports – Sunday March 21st 2010

On the opening day of the season these two sides met at Boundary Park and Progress Sports & Social came out on top with a 5-2 win.  That good start for Progress has continued throughout the season as they've gone on to win 11 and draw one of their opening thirteen matches.  Their only defeat came against Blackpool Catholic Club back in mid February.  The club's main rival for the  title are current leaders Highfield Social who they're still to face in the league.  In the Gledhill Cup they were unlucky to lose 4-3 against Premier Division side Dunes FC.  In the Division 2 Cup they've reached the semi finals after beating Rossall Tavern and Brun Grove (After a replay) along the way.  Progress manager Dave Meehan has fellow family members Shaun and Jordan playing in his team but brother Mark was upfront for today's opponents adding an element of spice to this top of the table clash.

The No 4 Pub FC are also having a great season despite having to leave the ground of Squires Gate FC to play at Commonedge Road.  Prior to today's game they had won ten and lost six but they're still handily placed for a top three finish.  At start of play they were four points behind Progress but had played three games more.  In the Gledhill Cup they too went out in Round 2 following a 5-1 defeat to Premier Division side Devonshire Arms.  In the Division 2 Cup they went out to Spindles.

Fingers crossed, we woke up (well I did) to the final frost of the Winter but by kick off time it was all but a distant memory.  Kelvin Dyson was today's referee and well before 11am we were underway early in anticipation of this afternoon's Man Utd v Liverpool clash.

Shaun Meehan (Blue 5) makes a leap

Matt Derby (Red 10)

Mark Meehan (Right)

Tree climbers

Shaun Meehan

Kelvin Dyson

Bad miss/good save

A strong appeal

The skipper's down with a sore head

Steady fella – rolling drunk and falling in the ditch

Brownie

Mark Meehan on the ball

Meehan S down injured

The magic water cures all ills

Jordan Meehan keeps his eye on the ball

Half time score : No 4 Pub FC 0 – 0 Progress Sports & Social FC

Scott Buchanan (Right)

Progress manager David Meehan

Fisher refuelling

Young Charlie takes a nap

Progress supporters

Mark Truby

The No 4 captain steps in to keep the peace

In trouble with the referee (How unusual)

Head to head – The No 4 captain is kept busy once again

The opening goal as super sub Scott Buchanan beats the No 4 keeper at his near post to put the Progress 1-0 up.

Buchanan celebrates with Curt Smith

Two minutes later and whilst Progress were still celebrating the No 4 Pub took advantage of some poor defending from a free kick to equalise. 1-1

Late Progress pressure

Game over – honours even

Final score : No 4 Pub FC 1 – 1 Progress Sports & Social FC

With family honour at stake this match was played like a 'derby match' with little decent football but packed full of incident, much of it unsavoury although not overly serious.  Progress still have games in hand but with Highfield Social winning once again they have a lot to do.  Don't forget that progress and Highfield still have to play each other twice and these matches may allow teams like the No 4 Pub and the other sides currently in the top six to still play for a promotion spot.

Sportspy 2009/10

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