CASTLE PARK 8-8 RAILWAY MAFIA

(Mafia won 5-3 on pens)

Castle Park and The Railway Mafia fought to a 8-8 draw with Castle Park in a hard fought contest.

Castle Park were without several key players. Ian Smith, Stuart Hancock and Ricky Hall all failed to turn up. Youngsters Martin Lewis and Simon Taylor were drafted in at the last minute. Also, regular goalkeeper Paul Lewis had work commitments. The Mafia had a relatively strong team despite both teams only having 9 players each. Martin Cairnes made a rare appearence as the Mafia were without Luke Dean, Damian Lawrence,Terry Cummins,Ed Tabner and Lee Jones.

Without their normal keeper, Mike Headlam opted to go between the sticks for Park. With the wind against them in the first half, Park opted for a determined rearguard action. It worked as the score remained goal-less for half an hour before Grisedale caught Mafia on the break, outpacing Prudom before beating Cummins with a neat finish. Mafia were restricted to long range shots and it was Myers 20 yard lob that levelled the scores moments later.

Weatherhead then made it 2-1 with a great solo run on the right to beat Headlam with a shot across goal which landed in the top corner. But the Park were soon back on terms when Grisedale scored an identical goal to his first just before half-time. Right on the stroke of 45 minutes, Waring made a superb run down the left, beat Cairnes and produced a strong shot which Cummins parried into the path of Grisedale who made no mistake from close range.

The second half was spent just like the first- in the Park box! Mark Jackson replaced Headlam in goal, who moved into midfield. Mafia blitzed the Park goal. Soon Roe made it 3-3 after poking home from close range, he then made it 4-3 after Owen's mistake. Cairnes speculative effort from distance made it 5-3,Taylor pulled a goal back despite Spedding's handball behind the line. Nelson restored the 2 goal cushion for the Mafia and Cairnes then headed home unchallenged from Anderson's cross. At 7-4 the games seemed lost for Park but were soon back in it.

Chris Headlam put away a penalty after a foul on Waring. Grisedale scored a well taken brace minutes later to make it 7-7 with six minutes remaining.

It again seemed over for Park when Weatherhead struck a great shot from the edge of the area to give the Mafia the lead with just seconds left. But Park went straight back up the other end and equalised with the last kick of the game when Chris Headlam set up Taylor who finished just inches from goal to even the scores.

The teams then decided on a penalty shoot-out to settle the game. The Mafia scored five from five, while Headlam's shot was saved by Cummins and the game was over before Owen could take his kick!!!

Castle Park:M.Headlam 8, Jackson 6, C.Headlam 7, Owen 8, Snaith 7, M.Lewis 6, Taylor 7, Waring 7, GRISEDALE 9.