Chaps hit 9 with epic performance

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What a difference a week makes!

With Cromwell missing for some time after his injury last week, and founder Farr away hosting the hair Oscars, Chaps signed a new member in Liam Tarplee who slotted straight into the back four. Penny moved out into his natural left back position to fill in for the absent Tomolinson, and Leroux, returning from Scotland for a short break, hoped to get some game time. Mosedale kept his place up front alongside Dowsett, as Chaps being to show a settled team, Jones and Tindall on the wings with captain Garvey holding the centre alongside Whalley.

Spurred on by the surprise gifts from Slater of Caribbean Burst, the Chaps were on a mission today to get the win they had to, and bump up the goal difference in the process. The performance was superb today, from the first whistle to the last the Chaps gave 110% and worked hard for each other all over the pitch. Conditions were extremely difficult, with gusty winds constantly affecting play and a heavy pitch underfoot. Despite this, the game flowed well thanks to excellent refereeing from one fo Slater's Grandfathers' old school friends.

Tarplee and King, a new combination in the center of defence performed excellently right from the kick off, but Tarplee was unfortunate to irritate a previous back injury and had to be substituted just before half time. Leroux replaced him, at first in front of the back four. He performed admirably, especially after the break playing in the most difficult position on the pitch, that windy left wing where every ball was a nightmare to control.

Captain Garvey was sublime all match, winning possession with ease and playing superb through balls for Dowsett to run onto. He made himself available at every opportunity and provided cover right across the back four as it was needed.

Whalley played his normal game today and it was no surpise that he bagged another two goals pulling him clear into second position in the scoring charts with 7 goals now. An invaluable member of the Chaps midfield.

Tindall again showed supreme confidence on the ball throughout the match, linking up well down the left with Penny and Dowsett and communicating constantly to his team mates. When moved into left back for the second half his chat was invaluable and really made life easy for the Chaps on the pitch.

Penny was given the opportunity to attack after starting the game at left-back, linking well with Tindall who provided cover for his bursting runs. It wasn't long before this tactic came to fruition, with Tindall composing play well with Dowsett down the left, who, having suddenly been overtaken by Penny at breakneck speed, realised there was no way he could keep up with the pace of this attack and played the deftest of through balls round the defender and into Penny's path. Without hesitation, Penny took one touch to get himself into the penalty area and away from the chasing defender, covering ground at a very rapid pace indeed. The goalkeeper then rushed out, and all seemed lost as he spread himself to claim the ball, but Penny knows that GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE and he expertly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net, a right footed finish no less! An impeccable strike, showing the calmness and composure that only the top, top players possess in front of goal. Sadly, with the injury to Tarplee, Penny was moved back into central defence to hold the fort alongside King, thus concluding his attacking period for this match. My guess is it won't be long before we see the machine on the scoresheet again…

Jones was in demon mode for the full 90 minutes today, and what a treat it is to watch. At times the opposition couldn't get anywhere near him to foul him, he tormented them down the right and was nicking the ball constantly to break down play. At one point he spotted a gap between two SSR players and bombed his way through, much like Ace Ventura trying to get out of his mechanical Rhino. Such dedication, unlucky not to score today.

Slater was on form again today, playing some excellent composed tiki-taka football in his quarter, as well as delivering some outstanding balls for Dowsett, one of which could well have been goal of the season had Dowsett been able to keep his volley down. At least a couple of assists for the right back who is turning into a specialist set-piece taker.

Mosedale, fresh from his evening at the darts, again showed his worth up front today, committing himself into challenge and challenge and creating plenty of space for Dowsett to work with. He keeps his boots immaculately clean as well, adhering to the Chaps code of conduct.

Dowsett consistently proves what an unstoppable force he is, bagging a double hat trick (that's 22 in 9 now), one of which was a stunning diving header along with the MOM award, as well as assisting the aforementioned dream goal by moi. The chaps' work rate is insane, he battled from the first minute to the last in trying to win possession and create opportunities for the team. I for one will be forever thankful to him for showing awareness as well, making the right decision at the right time to play the ball to me for my wondrous finish.

Not even two late goals for SSR could dampen the spirit of the Chaps. The first was an absolute freak goal with the ball rebounding off the attackers' shins after a superb defensive tackle from Penny, and curled its way perfectly into the bottom corner. A little over 5 minutes later, Chaps handled SSR's only period of sustained pressure well, until Jones won the ball well in a dedicated challlenge but was left injured on the pitch. With Chaps expecting the ball to be kicked off the pitch sportingly so Jones could recieve treatment, SSR had other ideas and worked the ball to a midfielder on the edge of the box who hit a lucky shot that just managed to creep into the far corner.

Thornton in goal had long periods without any action, yet when called upon his shot stopping was perfect. I don't recall him having to parry any shots today (aside from a point blank strike that he somehow managed to divert over the bar) as everything SSR threw at him he held onto, in fairness he couldn't have done anything about the 3 goals so another job well done for JT.

Tansley coming on late again showed excellent footwork and was extremely unlucky not to hit the target after a dazzling Messi-esque run, dancing round 3 defenders and into the box before firing wide as he fell. It is this writers' opinion that with a little more confidence, Tansley will be scoring before long and pushing for a well deserved starting position.

Chap of the match is extremely difficult today, for all the reasons noted above. Dowsett scored 6 goals, SIX. And he set me up. It is so hard not to give him Chap of the match but he already has MoM so I'm sure he won't be too disheartened. The first half performance of captain Garvey in particular was brilliant, he played with the grace of Berbatov all match and really stopped SSR from gaining any kind of momentum. As did Jones, I lost count of the amount of times he won possession, despite protesting his desire to start on the bench (never going to happen) he ran at 200mph for 90 minutes, which means he covered 300 miles and that is a scientific fact. A superb defensive display from Jones earns him Chap of the Match, and the admiration of his peers. Great effort Kebadee...