Just got this email from Tommy read on........
Cupar Eagles set out to play their return game v Petrol Heads with a couple of changes from their regular line up. Out was madcap psycho Scolsey on vacation who makes Russel Brand from "Big Brother Big Mouth" seem normal and Billy the Rocket missed out through work commitments. An old veteran was recalled Roy "Rob Roy" McGregor who seemingly retired 2 years ago through a persistent back injury. The Cat was absent as he was getting a CD system fitted into his gleaming new red sports Ford Fiesta.
Confidence was low going into this match (we have lost 6 from 6 in this present league campaign) but as manager it is my job to keep the heads high and confidence flowing. I tried to inject a positive feeling within our camp and after an inspired motivational speech the Cupar Eagles were ready for battle.
Walter "The Fridge" was back in goal as number 1 in Harry "The Cat" Hood's absense and made some blinding saves early doors. We tried to keep the back door shut and with McGregor in excellent form stifling many opposition attacks it was looking fairly promising to gain something tangible from this encounter. As the midfield powerhouse i blitzed through the Petrol Heads midfield on numerous occasions and laid on some wonderful defence splitting passes to our strikers Oggy and the Wippet but unfortunately they could not take advantage and as a result we blew some marvellous chances to take the lead.
As what happens when at the bottomn and fighting relegation luck seems to desert the team and we paid the price when the Petrol Heads oppened the scoring against the run of play. Number 2 followed shortly then it was 3 and the 4th just before half time.
Morale at half time was low but following another speech from the Management team to lift the players we entered the 2nd half with renewed confidence. I tried to eliminate the basic errors we were making and tried to get the players to gel as a team. I have a thankless job at times and sometimes receive severe criticism for my unconventional Management style.
Into the 2nd half i found myself with a couple of glorious chances to score and on another day they would have broken the net but since i have had a barren spell in front of goal it was not to be and inevitability we conceded more goals 5 then 6 to 7 and finally 8 with no reply.
Back to the drawing board but some positives were taken in light of this setback. Veteran Mcgregor performed admirably despite his age and gained our prestigious Man of the Match award and Oggy had one of his better games. Down we may be but as the Cupar Eagles Motto states "Sometimes beaten but never conquered" and next week we live to fight another day.
Tommy Marhall
Cupar Eagles Manager
