Banter was exchanged before this game via the Internet, with the Pigs claiming that they’d come and bring us back down to earth after our Worldnet victory. In the early days of the IFA they were one of the better sides and turned us over regularly, so it’s nice that roles have been reversed in recent seasons.
The game was played on Hooton Lodge, which was in superb condition. As is usual at Hooton though, we struggled to put the large flat pitch to good use and got off to an awful start. A cross-field ball found the pigs “experienced” winger in space (Jeb claimed he had 2 men), who crossed to the fOwls striker who put them 1-0 up. It stayed this way until half time, which left us to reflect on a truly awful first half performance.
The second half continued much the same, and it was a defensive mix up involving Copey, which led to the pigs second goal. This may have just been what was required to kick start us into action though, and after an immediate response through a Burnsy header at the back post we took control of the game. We soon levelled when Jammer was on hand to volley a JV cross home and a further goal came after Burnsy dribbled past the whole of the Owls defence before the ball was bundled in on the line. Then Burnsy scored another after toeing home in a goalmouth scramble to make it 4-2. A late panic did come after Shark jumped over an Owls through ball instead of kicking it clear, but we held on to claim a just deserved victory after a poor performance.
MD