After meeting at H.Q. 8.45am. the GALDIATORS from Hanslope set out into battle, highly tuned and ready to stamp their authority on the competition. Their first match was to prove a true test of character, “Two Mile Ash VIKINGS” taking full advantage of our lack of concentration, scoring in the first 10 seconds. But the true grit and determination of our squad was displayed for all to see. Paul McDonald excelled at the heart of the defence, Dave Lynch made a superb save if not a bit arrogant about its degree of difficulty, and 2 magnificent through passes by Paul Mitchell set up the chances for Gareth Reynolds to score 2 class goals to enable Hanslope to win by the score of 2-1. Our next match against “Stony Stratford MOHICANS” was a fairly evenly fought affair with end to end football, however the deadlock was to be broken by Dominic Spinelli who received a pass from Gareth Reynolds and put it away with a clinical finish, leaving Hanslope to win by the score of 1-0. The final game in our group was to prove our most effective. For the first minute the match was equally shared until a WORLD CLASS lob from Ben Pearce was to evade the “WOLVERTON TIGERS” goalkeeper changing the whole course of the game, demoralised by the experience the Wolverton players defence fell apart and Hanslope’s Gareth Reynolds punished them with 2 brilliantly taken goals to ensure a 3-0 Win for Hanslope. As a result of our tremendous play Hanslope for the first time in their history were to progress into the final stages as champions of the group. The Quarter Final was played against “WOLVERTON PRAIRIES” and despite some tenacious tackling and dogged persistence by Hanslope the game ended as a 0-0 draw. So a sudden death playoff situation was to be enforced. Only time would tell, could we score in the next 3 minutes or will we be subjected to a penalty kick off situation. Well fortunately for us WOLVERTON allowed Gareth Reynolds too much space and he tucked away a superb drive to take Hanslope into the Semi Finals. Special notice to Paul Mitchell, whose stamina proved to be unequalled by anyone on the day. The Semi Final saw Hanslope play “STANTON EAGLES” and was to provide a very controversial event. Stanton Eagles scored a goal in the early stages, however Hanslope to their credit through sheer determination were inspired, and were to score a goal from a lob by Dominic Spinelli only to have the referee to rule that an infringement had taken place and the goal was disallowed. This was to prove decisive and the Hanslope team were to be beaten by the score of 1-0. The final between Stanton Eagles and 4th Beattie’s was to be drawn 1-1 and both teams decided to share the trophy rather than subject their play to sudden death play off or penalties.

The Competition was very successful and despite their defeat the Hanslope Cubs proved once again that their SPORTSMANSHIP and DEDICATION to do their best was an example to all.