Leperitis - Chronic inflammation of the lids. This terrible affliction, in slightly different forms, had struck the unfortunate Hepper's Leper squad. With Webb in Guantanomo Bay, Jerzak watching the Manly arrows at the Palace of Alexandria, the Lepers couldn't afford any more injuries. Despite this, further blows struck: Hoskins confirmed that his Hoody Ankle was still inflicting him, Stoner stupidly stumbled on an eve-of-match marathon and Ames confirmed his susceptibility to injury by declaring himself broken.

 

This left the Lepers with just five players, although hopes were high due to the quality of individuals on show.Sheeno was back from his Jock excursion and Chris Cornwall came back into the side for his second match after his 5-goal debut salvo in Division 5. These were complimented by the ever-present Harvey, in his 31st consecutive game for the Lepers, the reinvigorated Drake and the increasingly dependable Spike, the Lepers looked pretty strong. A decent crowd was present to cheer the Lepers on.

 

The Lepers lined up for the game and pre-kick off Sheen was already screaming "advice" at Harvey. It seemed unnecessary as within 12.79 seconds Drake had dispossessed a Zizou defender, took his time, and placed the ball into the corner of the net.

 

A rather frenetic 14 minutes and 30 seconds succeeded that start, without various smart interchanges from the Lepers failing to bear fruit. The offensive opposition offered much time for the Lepers' liberos, Harvey and Spike, to distribute the ball with ease. The Zizovians created sparse chances due to the excellent marshalling by the back two and the endeavour of Cornwall and Drake in tracking the runners, aided by some Sheen excellence, of course!

 

Just as it looked like the half-time whistle was to blow with the score at 1-0 Harvey broke up a Zizou attack with a strong tackle on the left-flank. He progressed at pace out wide until he found his angle and smashed the ball into the top of the net, over the body of the despairingly diving Zizou goalkeeper. An extra goal was a welcome bonus for the wearisome Lepers.

 

After the regrouping and rejuvenation of the half-time break the Lepers were raring to go. A quick kick-off and a long period of dwelling on the ball by Spike resulted in a slide-rule pass to Drake who was primed, like a Cheetah, although without the tail of approximately 28.5 inches length who flicked the ball home to the delight of the onlooking Shovelfoot and friends. The Zizou 'keeper showed his aggravation by growling and kicking the ball towards the wall. An act of petulance that certainly would not be seen by a Leper.

 

After the 3rd goal, the match settled down to a game of cat and mouse. Malheuresement, the mice broke and got a favourable deflection off of the hard-working Harvey that sent the ball spiralling over the sublime, supine Sheeno. Quick to realise the disappointment this could have caused to the lads Sheen offered his soothing words of sympathy, and all was well again!!!

 

Shortly after this incident followed a period of intense brinksmanship, culminating in an act of extreme violence, from a man who clearly has form, Drake scything down an age-old adversary of the traditionalist. The Zizou boys reacted with their own lame attempts at violence. A kick out in the Leper corner of the pitch allowed the boys to regroup and Cornwall to tie his laces for 5 minutes as a zany Zizovian kicked the ball away in stupidity. The move resulted in another free-kick, quickly taken by Harvey to Cornwall, who struck the ball from his own half and without making contact without anyone else the ball burst into the back of the bulging net.

 

The Lepers were up for this and Drake effectively ended the match with some true endeavour, closing down the kick-off, and netting his third of a glorious evening, and sending the Lepers 5-1 up.

 

To put the icing on the cake, the goal of the evening was still to come. A breakaway from Jonathan Harvey resulted in the effervescent character racing through on goal. Not to be confounded by the onrushing keeper, Harvey paused and dinked the ball over the poor victim, confirming the Leper victory and making somebody very happy. Well done somebody!

 

The Lepers rejoiced long into the night. 3 wins out of 3 creates great hope for the rest of the season!