Patchy beginnings

After weeks of off field drama, including rumours that the sky blues would not even be able to field a team, Man & Woman City got their season off to a modest start. Outclassed for much of the match, they generally held their shape well and produced some encouraging moments for their travelling supporters.

Buoyed by the late inclusions of Robin and Weaver, paperwork was rushed through in time for a team of 6 to take the field, affording City the luxury of a substitute. The Diamond lads dominated possession throughout, but never more tellingly than in the opening five minutes when it seemed that only Demarchi was able to maintain any sort of control for the blues.

Indeed it was the Brazilian international who struck against the run of play to give the dual genders an unlikely early lead. Diamonds' response was swift and sharp as they piled on several unanswered goals in reply. Several timely interventions by Weaver who had positioned himself beautifully stemmed the flow of goals and paved the way for more blue attacks.

A rare moment of fluid passing saw the blues fashion another chance before Punton was on hand to bundle in Demarchi's cross for a well earned second goal. Laura Jackson let the ball run before launching home City's third and final goal before half time.

A bright beginning to the second half saw Demarchi execute a delicious back heeled finish to Kevin Jackson's cross, despite being double teamed. Meanwhile the blue defense was doing some doubling up of its own, with Robin, Punton and Weaver successfully blunting several dangerous moves.

A horror passage was to follow though as their opponents stamped their authority on the game, putting it well out of reach with five or six goals in quick succession affording them a matchwinning buffer. Kevin Jackson netted a couple of late consolation goals after a clever chip from his Brazilian team mate and his wife Laura rounded off the blues' scoring with a fine finish to a pass again supplied by Demarchi.

Late in the game Mike stopped weaving and launched a thunderbolt just over the crossbar after a foray forward. Punton's sharp reflexes in goal restricted the scoreboard to an almost respectable total; the men in black running out 7-13 winners.

After the game Demarchi praised his teams' organisation. "We won't beat a team like that" he conceded, "but we could improve a bit". When pressed, Goalkeeping hero Punton credited his lightening reflexes to his days spent honing them as a slips fieldsman. Weaver, one of City's three internationally bred talents hinted that there is more to come from him, insinuating that he is not yet at peak fitness. Judging by his impressive performance tonight, opposition forwards will do well to take heed.

Robin shrugged off suggestions that playing against adult males would present her with any difficulties. "I've had rougher matches at MLIS" she said after turning in a fine first performance in blue. Despite netting twice, Laura Jackson was not satisfied with her contribution. Slippery shoes and a first indoor outing combined to frustrate the American who still managed to excel which can only be encouraging for all three of the blues' supporters this evening.

Think you can write a better article? Of course you can! Send it to krjackson@gmail.com. Make it funny, serious, cynical or controversial - it's all about having some fun as a team!