24 Jun 2007 - Grasshoppers versus the Star Match Report.
On the 24th June 2007, the annual match between the Grasshoppers and the Morning Star took place on the Ynys Astroturf.
The Grasshoppers were well organised with the responsibilities of team and kit management falling on the shoulders of Ian Thornton and Steve Pearce.
A full squad of players for the Grasshoppers was initially registered, only to find the Morning Star Team Committee (Tony Price) had only managed to muster a handful of players.
Mark Evans, Tony Wynne and Paul Daniel were quickly signed up under the Bosman ruling from the Grasshoppers to the Star, and the game was under way.
Tony Price officiated the game from the sidelines as he was injured (again) and he was not so ably assisted by Gareth and both conspired to assist the Morning Star as much as possible.
However, the Grasshoppers were not disillusioned by the loss of 3 star players, and indeed all the squad were motivated to humble their opponents.
The opening goal came from
Jones pounced to make the scoreline 2-0 to the Grasshoppers.
A third soon followed with the Star defence under immense pressure and eventually Stuart Hale headed a superb individual goal…… into his own net.
At the other end of the pitch, Mark ‘the shot’ Evans continued his impressive shots on goal to goals scored ratio, a ratio the majority of players would not want, but the effort Mark puts into this record has to be
commended.
A superb penalty save from Darren Young for the Grasshoppers kept the score line 3-0 at halftime.
Refreshments replenished both sets of players during the half time break, which was soon interrupted by Mark Barnes announcement that the Star was now open and he wanted the second half underway as soon as
possible.
Woeful finishing by the Grasshoppers despite some clear chances only resulted in one further goal being scored by Andrew Jones, and unfortunately some more clinical finishing by the Morning Star
resulted in a more favourable scoreline.
The final score was 7-4 to the Morning Star, however it must be pointed out that ‘bungs’ with the Officials had taken place and 3 goals scored by the Star were clearly offside.
Official final score 4-4. Mark ‘the shot’ Evans ruined his ratio of goals scored to shots by missing the fence and hitting the net.