Two Teams, two 100% records, two futures to decide
The Leper revolution has evolved beyond its founders' wildest dreams. Douglas Neville and Paul Hepburn would be so proud of the Lepers.
The boys went into the game in second position, on goal difference, behind the night's opponents, Sporting Airlock. Both teams had played six games and both had completed six victories. Incidentally, both teams had beaten Christine Hamilton.
The Lepers lined up for the game with just six players due to no-shows from previously reliable Lepers (friends). The team anthem would be much reduced if this level of attendance continued. The team still had a strong core to it .... or did it? Where was Harvey? No word had been heard from him since his text message of "bugger" - post Champions League.
The anxiety dissipated as Harvey phoned to reveal his readiness for the game, and a collective sigh of relief was exhaled by Team Leper. There were still further difficulties to come for the Lepers as it transpired that Drake had decided not to wear shoes. A group decision insisted that the holiday-bound Drake - who announced a 2-week break from the Lepers - should acquire some footwear from reception. Fortunate success. Drake was playing.
With a starting line-up of Sheen in goal, Jerzak and Spike guarding the D, Harvey patrolling the Lepers' midsection and Drake demanding determination up-front, the Lepers were primed for action.
Or were they? The Lepers experienced a barrage of attacking football from the good spirited Airlock boys. Shot after shot reigned down upon the Leper goal, but by hook or by crook, they stayed out. A minute was gone and the Lepers had survived and then there was an "incident". Spike "ever reliable" Harby went in for a strong challenge and wiped out Bjorn Borg, the Airlock No.1. The headbanded wonder looked injured, but struggled on. Meanwhile the Lepers became sloppy in defending free-kicks and there was slight aggravation amongst the Lepers, with angry words exchanged between the keeper and himself.
Moments later came the type of move that brings tears to the most loyal of football supporters - in the Premiership, La Liga, DIE Bundesliga, the falsified Italian league - when Spike broke up an attack from his combatants and rolled the ball into the top corner. A strike of absolute quality. Spike is nice!
The referee called one minute to go until half-time and three minutes later the whistle went. The Lepers went in at half-time with the same team on the pitch, but were still to unleash their secret weapon, Mark Stoner. "The Stone" was new to (5-a-side) football when he joined the Lepers but has succeeded in working his way into the Leper side with some excellent, yet unfortunate, performances.
A delayed half-time saw 'keeper Sheen disappear with digestive problems, only to return just in time for the start of the second half. Trouble struck 5 minutes into the half as Sheen went down with a problematic gastric condition, and it looked like the keeper had to displace himself. Fortunately the brief interlude, with advice from Jerzak, saw Sheen through the incident. (Later reports suggested that Jerzak forced Sheen to carry on!).
A topsy-turvy match continued with both teams making chances, and spurning them. With just 5 minutes to go the Lepers were still only 1 nil up and the pressure was on. Fortunately Drake made a break, and Sheen found him with an excellent throw, and then Drake turned his man to blast the Lepers two goals clear. Late on in the match Drake capitalised on a loose ball from the Airlock defence to confirm victorty for the Lepers. Total respect to the Airlock boys, they did very well!