1st Team Vs Old Bootleians (A)

Old Bootleians 2 Waterloo 4 (Worby 3, Gill)

Waterloo began their new league campaign with a solid win over a Bootlians side that many (well, Ravi anyway) predict will be up there challenging for the league this season. A first ever hat trick from Phil Worby was added to late on by a 4th from the Mighty Whites' very own super sub Ravinder Singh "Giggsy" Gill as the home side were left stunned.

The omens didnt look good for Waterloo, missing several key players from last season- John English suspended for the season, Terry Royle jnr on holiday, Kev Stuart & Phil Dixon injured, Shaun Sanderson sold to Bootle for a bag of Goji Berries, Ste Crosbie and Will Joynson AWOL- and with both centre halves (Jump and Royle Snr) plus Graeme Iverson carrying injuries.

But any uncertainties amongst the players were wiped out with a blistering opening 5 minutes as Waterloo found themselves 2 up. The first came after a minute and a half, and it was a goal very much made in Tintown as Dave Worby plucked a corner from the air, and released Neil Jones down the right with a David James style throw, Jones' pace allowed him to run at the Bootlians defence, and his new Cristiano Ronaldo trick enabled him to cut inside and feed a nice ball into Worby on the inside right channel. Worby was fronted by the defender but managed to expertly nick the ball away from him and sidefoot a superb left foot shot round the keeper and into his bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box. A perfect start, and it was to get a whole lot better seconds later as Jones' diagonal ball from the right looked set to run through for the keeper, but he made a hash of his kick, and Worby was on hand to slot into an empty net for 2-0. Bootlians were shellshocked, and set about the visitors with a series of long balls and long range shots, but none really troubled the back four or the immaculate Worby in goal. He made a number of comfortable saves and interceptions, whilst Jump, Royle, Walshaw & Foote at the back were exceptional. At the other end the front four of Worby, Iverson, Sinnott & Jones kept their defenders busy, and Sinnott wasnt far off with a good turn and volley from 25 yards that had the keeper scrambling. Anyway, it was a great half for us, and 2-0 at half time.

After the break, the expected onslaught never really materialised. Waterloo were more than comfortable at 2-0, and soon managed to add a third as Chris Corcoran's long throw was missed by the keeper, and Worby used his Heather Mills leg to hook the ball over his shoulder and into the empty net. 3-0 was dreamland considering the problems we have had pre-season, but there was still time for a bit of a collapse and after the ball was lost in midfield (probably by Corko, after all, he did cost us the league last season ), a square ball was slotted past Worby from close range for 3-1. But Royle had a tactical masterplan up his sleeve, and sent on Arjen Gill on the left of midfield, and it paid off as another long throw fell loose in the box, and the King of the Wing produced a clinical low right foot volley to restore the 3 goal cushion. Cue wild celebrations, Gill was like Halle Berry on oscars night! Anyway, after that there was still time for Bootle to pull one back, after Walshaw and the crossbar had prevented one goal back, Corcoran was penalised for handball in the box (harshly he says, but he cost us the league so dont believe a word he says), and after Worby had saved the penalty, the striker was on hand to score the rebound and make it 4-2. But even though they had plenty of long range efforts after this, Worby was equal to them and the game ended in a comfortable win for Terrynho's men.

Man of the match- Both worbys were superb, but i thought CHRIS JUMP was awesome at the back, won every header, and even went on a marauding right wing run in the second half.

1. Worby D
2. Foote
3. Walshaw
4. Royle
5. Jump MOTM
6. Corcoran
7. Sinnott
8. Craig
9. Worby P GOALx3
10. Iverson (Gill- GOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!)
11. Jones

12. Gill