Report

A depleted Salhouse side battled courageously, but were still on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat at home to Quebec Rovers.

In honour of Oliver Harper-s birthday, several players went to Newcastle to celebrate. This included Harper, Chris Newton, Mark Mantle, Simon Brighten, Perry Phillpot, heck, even Lee Chittock popped up there for a quick drink. With Kevin Breeze still injured and Neil Harris in London, it left the team rather short (insert your own Thomo jokes), but one bright spot was that after a bucket collection the previous week, the club had raised enough money to send Rob Castle to Newcastle too.

Salhouse reserves also suffered as many of their regulars were called into the first team. Luckily, Neil Thomson-s phonebook reads like a "who-s who" of the Saturday Christian league, and he was also able to call upon a couple of the more accomplished players.

Due to a late arrival, I am unable to comment on the opening 5 minutes of the match, but I can assure you the lateness was due to traffic problems and in no way connected to not wanting to run the line.

I am reliably informed that it was a bright start from Rovers and also heard rumours that Lee Chittock arrived at Thieves Lane at 9am ready for action, but was tucked up in bed again by 9.30. Don-t know if there was any truth in that one.

Although Rovers had little possession in the first half, and spent long spells camped in their own half, they never really looked like conceding. Steve Fisher was forced into a couple of excellent saves, but the defence looked assured, and as the game grew older, the team was visibly growing in confidence.

The first aim, reaching half time all square, was achieved, and all of a sudden there was a belief Salhouse could go on to win the game. Shortly after half time, Daniel Sexton sent Neil Woolner through, and as he was about to pull the trigger, the sound of mortgages being placed on him scoring echoed through the Salhouse air. However, a rare glitch in the Woolner radar meant his half volley flew just wide.

Two minutes later, a goalmouth scramble ensued in the Rovers box, and as good as Neil Thomson-s last ditch challenge was to deny the Quebec striker, it only delayed the inevitable for a couple of seconds as the next player in the queue arrived to knock the ball home.

A well worked move doubled Quebec-s lead but Rovers still would not give up. Substitute Tom Nudd came on to replace Andy Richardson and immediately had an impact. His low shot was only parried and when the ball fell to Neil Woolner on the edge of the box, he kept up his record of scoring in every game he-s played this season.

As Rovers pressed in search of an equaliser, they were caught late on with a sucker punch, with more than a suspicion of off side about it. As three Quebec forwards advanced into the Rovers box, even the great Steve Fisher could do nothing but watch as they passed rolled the ball over the line between them.

In the end, a disappointing result, but a decent performance which leaves the manager with some difficult decisions to make this week as Mantle, Brighten, Harris, Breeze, Chittock, Newton, Harper, Philpott, and of course Castle, are all ready for a return.

Man of the match Jamie Weavers is reportedly being watched by some scouts at the moment. Probably inevitable given that he will soon be too old to attend Cubs.