Friendly Match: Crusaders Reserves V Pantside
Date: 11/08/2007
Venue: Hockey Field
Referee: Christopher Parnell
Conditions: Boiling

Despite Jonny Jones (Hungover), Huw Moseley (injured mid-week) missing, the reserves still had plenty of faces for this friendly. Having not played for 4 years Mark Hughes (Shirona) was back in action as he sets his sights on a regular starting position up front. Steven (Chicken Face) Prosser was off darts duty, and Salsa super star Dane Whittaker returned for a game of footy. Youngsters Liam Davies and Ashley Reid were 'bombed' down to the 2rds despite some good pre-season performances under their belts already.

Manager David Thomas went back to his 3-5-2 formation. For the 1st half hour, the Crus started sloppy. Pantside are looking to do well in the North Gwent this season with some new young faces added to their squad, and you would have thought that they were playing at a higher level at 1st glance. Crusaders kept giving away free kicks and keeper Scott Gilchrist was called into action to make a double save, 1 being from ex Crusaders player 'Jessica'.

Nicky Thomas was also back for this fixture after he bottled the chance to play for the 1st team. It was Thomas who had the most notable Crusaders 1st half effort with a free kick that hit the bar.
Dan Morgan also had a free kick on goal that appeared to have hit a hand inside the box. No penalty given though.

Stand in keeper Scott Gilk had a mixed 1st half. Gilchrist came out for a ball and appeared to be obstructed but referee Parnell didn't see anything wrong with it. Gilchrist then decided to throw his toys out of the pram and have a massive rant and rave which resulted in a yellow card.

Gilchrist also got the capacity crowd going in the 1st half on another occasion. This time a Pantside forward chased down a backpass, but Gilchrist produced a magnificent 'Cruyff' turn before clearing the ball.

Crusaders started controlling the game a bit more in the 2nd half and 5 minutes into the 2nd period, Keown scored the 1st goal of the afternoon with a toe poke from just inside the box. 1-0.

With the busy pre-season schedule, Crusaders had 3 players go off injured. Borat (after 5 minutes), Budgie (Hip problem) and Gilchrist (pulled a muscle taking goal kicks). Fishcake wasn't fully fit either but he went in goals for the remaining half hour. Not long after he went in, Pantside took a quick corner. The ball went to the near post and Dan Morgan appeared to have a free header. At the last second Dan decided to duck and Fishcake unfortunately could only punhch it into his own net. 1-1

Defences remained on top throughout the rest of the game. 1st team player Slasher also had a run out in this fixture. Philip Taylor Wannabe Prosser sulked the entire half about not being in the game so decided to hoof balls into the river and the local resident’s houses.

Man Of the Match: Budgie (Kept things tight at the back)

Dummy Of The Match: Quite a few contenders but Steven Prosser for his constant whinges. The 3rds team beckons for him.