Summary

Report

A midweek friendly fixture provided a perfect opportunity for Fronk to cast his all-seeing eye on some unused squad members along with a trio returning from injury. Phil "The Machine" Penny made his return after an incredible and quite legendary cycle around Iceland, one of the biggest stores in the world. Read more about it here. Louie and returning captain Garvey also got the nod and Jonny Horrocks made his first appearance for Chaps in a much changed starting 11, with Lossy debuting in goal.

A similar slow start from Chaps Utd put them under sustained pressure for the first 20 minutes, unable to get a foothold in the game. Just as frustration was setting in, another long shot from Lossy in goal inadvertently set up a swift break and Dowsett finished with aplomb, putting the Chaps ahead against the run of play.

This relaxed the Chaps, especially big Eddy bear who growled his way to the ball in the middle of the park for the remainder of the half, plucking balls out of the air like a nun at a high jump contest. Quite the contrast to watching Feasey act more like a bear cub struggling to get to grips with taking throw-ins. Another Dowsett goal swiftly followed to give the Chaps a two goal lead going into half time.

A number of substitutions at half time including swapping Gould for Leroux in goal initially affected Chaps concentration for the first 5 minutes of the second half, until a mazy Messi-esque 80 yard run from sweeper Phil "The Machine" Penny sparked the Chaps back into life with some much needed urgency. It would seem Cull was flirting with the opposition players from the dugout whilst this was going on.

Dowsett, still awaiting the results of his post-match drugs test, forced his way through to seal his hat-trick and effectively kill the game. A number of substitutions followed along with a superb debut goal from Horrocks, with Phil "The Machine" Penny picking up the captains' armband and retaining it until the end of the match, leaving him as holder going into the next game.

Dowsett was then subbed off and promptly back on again just in time to watch playmaker Slater pop up with a ferocious first time shot from range that mesmerised the keeper and would be a real contender for goal of the season, were it not a friendly match.

My man of the match award goes to Paul Dowsett as I spotted him tackling at left back in the last 5 minutes of the game, clearly a naturally gifted defender being played out of position. Constant running and a superb shampoo bottle to boot.