The Dock Association Football Club

A disappointing exit from the Cheshire Cup on a day that started and ended well but the bit in between left you feeling flat and deflated!

A good early start at 8.15 a.m was nearly ruined as Brunty turned up in hot pants and vest only for Manager McGraa to send him home to change into a regulation tracksuit!

After picking up Uni fee’s riot student, Matty Carlin on the way, the team arrived in plenty of time for the game in leafy Bollington. As the lad’s stretched their legs with a walk around the park the committee did their stuff with the kit and team sheet e.t.c. Cheshire Officials were greeted like old friends, opposing committee members chatted to visiting supporters as the cool autumnal/winter chill filled the fresh Sunday morning air.

Dock started well and had some joy down the right flank getting in on two occasions with the same ball in behind the left back, only for the keeper to rescue his defence. After 8 minutes, the same ball again put Kenyon in the clear and, as he raced on to the pass, the keeper took him out on the edge of the area for a penalty. Some called for a red card but in my opinion a yellow was correct as Kenyon was in a wide position and heading more towards the corner flag than towards goal. Hammond stepped up and expertly tucked the ball home to the keepers left….1.0…looking good!

The opening exchanges showed that this was going to be tough but on 20 minutes’ The Goose’ won a big one-on-one with their big centre forward ‘’Get in there Goose Lad!’’ 2 minutes later a good exchange of passes involving Kenyon and Reay put Dures in with a chance, only for the keeper to tip over the bar for a corner. This resulted in a series of three corners on the bounce from Hammond, with the last one nearly resulting in a goal only for Brunt to miss his header by heading fresh air! How could he miss the ball with his bonce?

26 minutes had elapsed when young Byrne was cautioned for shouting ‘’he’s missed it’’ This resulted in a direct free kick being awarded that eventually crashed into the wall.

The Goose pulled of a great save on 28 minutes when he pushed a cannonball shot onto his bar to preserve the lead but the Pack Horse were more of a threat now and 2 minutes later they scored.

After a tangled with Pack Horse’s centre forward on the edge of the area a free kick was awarded by the referee. From my angle, the free kick was harsh, others may disagree but a free kick it was. As the ball was tossed into the area, a flicked on header was good enough to see it nestle into the corner of the net to make it 1.1.

40 minutes had gone when a Pack Horse free kick was well defended and danger was averted when the ball was some how headed off the line for a corner. The pressure told 3 minutes before the half when Pack Horse grabbed their second .The Goose saved well from the initial shot only for the forward to slide home the rebound.

As the whistle blew the Referee could not decide whether the teams should stay out or take a bit of a trek to the dressing rooms . His first choice was to ‘’stay out because it’s the competition rules and it’s only 5 minutes’’ Then as the Pack Horse started the walk to the dressing rooms he followed them?

Paul Davis Jnr. forced me to the local pub to take refreshment and then wished he hadn’t as he was charged £6.30 for two pints of larger. I missed the first ten minutes of the second half but on 60 minutes a neat header put Sean Holmes in but his cross shot came to nothing. Gary Reay was put in but his lob bounced past the post and the signs were encouraging as a double substitution was made with Dures and S.Holmes off with Saunders and Head coming on.

With half an hour remaining the referee awarded a penalty when the Pack Horse forward tripped over his own feet. The penalty was dispatched and it was 1.3.

A minute after the restart, Saunders hit the bar with a header from a superb cross only to see the Linesman with his flag raised for offside.

It was all out attack now from the Dock with Kenyon having a shot clawed away by the keeper and gathering it at the second attempt before a Docker could pounce.

On the80th minute mark Dock scored when Hammond belted in a stunning free kick into the top right hand corner to make it 2.3.
It was all Dock now, searching for an equaliser to force extra time. Reay had a snap shot tipped over for a corner and Tony Sample was sent on up front for Matty Carlin.

Pack Horse were playing on the break now and caught out the Dock with 4 minutes remaining to slot home to make it 2.4…..Game over.

It was back to their pub after the game and they were fine hosts to us and treated us well. A game of Killer was organized and Brunty was prancing around like Elton John at one of his ‘Diamonds and Tiara’ party’s. We had to apologize to the Manageress for his behaviour and farting and she sprayed him with air freshener on his way out !

Back to the Vicky Lodge for more beer and Killer and a fine little venue it was. My memory by this time is fuzzy but I do remember being chased around the pool table by Elton himself as he was holding one of Del Boy’s cocktail’s.

Man of the Match : Hard to say as all the focus was on the referee but I would say ‘The Goose’ for some good saves with Dures and Hammond close.

Report: Mike Stephens (Expurgated version)
Photos: Chris Stading (Weather was too dark and raining)

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Dock went through to the next round of the Veronica Conway Cup, but only just after finding themselves 3-0 down after only half an hour. Dock’s first half display was nothing short of diabolical and New Ferry Wirral Hotel must have thought they were home and dry. Gary Reay gave his team a lifeline when he netted just before the break to bring it back to 3-1. Manager McGraa made a couple of changes at half time bringing on Paul Byrne and Mark Head for Craig Donaghy and Tony Sample.

The second half was a far better performance with a Gary Reay brace and Shaun Homes effort giving the visitors a 4-3 win. Dock will certainly need to show a vast improvement next week if they have any aspirations of progressing in the Cheshire Cup.

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Man of the match: Must be Gary Reay for his hat-trick

Photos: Chris Stading (too dark and wet to get any good ones)

The Dock advanced into the 4th round with a 5.1 victory over Parkside and will now meet Big House of the Wallasey Sunday League on December 5th. Our Six fingered contingent will be able to brief us with an up to date dossier on Big House but I am wondering how Reay, Hammond and Griffo will be able to grip the pen to write such a dossier when they have extra digits to content with. ( Is Josh Dures from Wallasey also ?)

Anyway, back to the game and there were disgraceful scenes at Levers as Gary Reay split his shorts as he put them on and had to be named as a substitute while a replacement pair was found. Three pairs of last year’s shorts had to be sewn together to accommodate Reayman .

Lee Hammond also dropped to the bench as his head was not right after an approach by ‘The Mighty Arm’. Tony Sample reported feeling sick after eating ten paving slabs and heavy duty copper cable in a Birkenhead restaurant on Saturday night, so he too went on the bench . Tommy Hunt and Young Tit made up the rest of the subs.

Ian Brunt led out the team and this automatically won him the man of the match award as the team bristled with confidence from being led by this warrior and the game was as good as won as Brunty put on the captains armband in the dressing room. A couple of players were visibly weeping with pride and joy and it cannot be long until he retains the captaincy full time.

Dock started with some free flowing football and neat play. Some one touch stuff, involving Charlie McInnes and U.S.A. international Sean Holmes, ended in Jamie Kenyon forcing a save from the keeper. Although Dock enjoyed most of the possession, it wasn’t until the 20th minute that they created another chance and that came by way of a free kick, won by McInnes, took by Sean Holmes, that clipped the top of the bar.

In the 25th minute Bernaaaaaaaaaard Holmes suggested that we should ‘’Put these to the Sword !’’ but a minute later, Parkside could of scored, as a ball over the top forced our camp looking goalie into a save and the close attention of Nemaja Vidic also helped the forward into rushing his effort.

It was on the half hour mark when Dock opened the scoring. It was Charlie McInnes who swung over a deep cross to the far post where Josh Dures finished with aplomb when making it look easy as he put a controlled right foot volley into the back of the net. Three minutes later and it was 2.0. Sean Holmes lashed in a free kick on the edge of the area after Mick Saunders had been fouled.

Parkside forced a goal back on 36 minutes when a clever back heel on the edge of the area sent the Dock defence for the Echo. The Parkside forward had an easy task of shooting past the keeper who was too busy speaking to two leather shorted puffs and exchanging phone numbers to notice that they had scored! He did redeem himself a minute later by saving an effort from outside the box and this served as a warning that Parkside were not going to lie down.

Just before the half time whistle, Captain Brunt caught veteran Speedy with a tackle that he wasn’t best pleased with and let him know by calling Brunty a ‘’Fu*#in’ Kn**h##d !” to which the whole ground applauded.

Five minutes after the interval Dock found their stride when a good run down the right by Charlie resulted in his cross finding Jamie Kenyon who made no mistake at the far post to make it 3.1. Two minutes later and it was 4.1 when a Sean Holmes cross was headed home by that man again, Jamie Kenyon. Gary Reay can see his Golden Hi Heel slipping away and will surely end his days at ‘The Arm’ sooner rather than later.

On the hour mark, Brunty’s Helicopter began to circle overhead ready to whisk him away to captain Liverpool against Chelsea later in the afternoon. Four Puff’s and a Piano were shouting out the Helicopter door for Brunty to get a move on as the Chopper got perilously low over the pitch (pictured below). This did not deter a good move involving the two Holmes’ and Dures with Dures shooting wide.

Four Puffs got their way when Brunty was replaced , along with Liam Simon, by Tommy Hunt and Craigo Donaghy. 63 minutes had elapsed when Dures headed downwards and into the arms of the keeper and Mc Innes fired over the bar five minutes later.

Miguel Saunders was hauled off on 75 minutes with suspicion still surrounding this player as he stalls on talks until after the Cheshire Cup tie in a couple of weeks. His replacement, Lee Hammond, gave him a ‘ high six’ as they crossed past each other.

Late on in the game the Dock keeper went down like ‘Duke Street’ as the ball flashed past the post and then came for a punch and missed, punching fresh air !

In the last minute Charlie capped a fine performance netting from an acute angle after good play down the left.

Man of the Match:- Captain Brunt, (Another impressive display by Josh Dures and Charlie McInnes impressed also )

Report: Mike Stephens
Photos: Chris Stading

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A day of mixed fortunes for The Dock as we took on title challengers Woodchurch . It has to be said that for a large period of the game we were out battled and over powered by the visitors and it was only in the last half hour that we got some sort of foot hold into the game.

The warning signs that we were in for a tough encounter were evident as early as the opening five minutes or so when Sample was forced into two needed defensive headers on the bounce and more strong defending was needed from Byrne and Simon as the Woody pressured.

In the 17th minute Paul Byrne conceded a free kick in a dangerous area and Dock were almost made to pay as the resulting cross was headed narrowly wide. Two minutes later Reay man was almost in but the Woodchurch keeper was first to the ball to quell any danger.

Against the run of play, Dock took the lead. 22 minutes had passed when the left foot of Ian Brunt put us one up. Gary Reay won a free kick, and from that, the ball was pumped into the Woodchurch box and fell to Brunty’s trusty left peg ! Ivan Drago made no mistake and wheeled away to celebrate pointing to the foot that had done the deed!

The lead lasted eight minutes as the Woody came back to equalize with a well taken header as The Dock switched off to the danger. One minute after the goal, the Goose had to save smartly to concede a corner and it was back under pressure for The Dock.

A Mark Head shot troubled the keeper on 37 minutes but apart from that it was second best for most of the half as we looked to the half time whistle for a change in fortune. Before the whistle came, Goose had a moment to forget as he made a mess of a clearance to leave the Woody forward with an easy task to roll the ball home to make it 1.2. There was still enough time to see a Josh Durres header flash past the post from a Hammond free kick.

After a heated half time team talk, The Dock attempted to get a grip on the game only to find the same story of Woodchurch pressure. The Goose was forced into a save low to his left on 46 minutes and, although the workrate was slightly better, Dock went further behind on 52 minutes when a long ball over the top caused confusion between Sample and Goose and the forward nipped in to score.

Dock made a double substitution on 55 minutes and it was either a case of the Woody being content with their lead or had blown themselves out. The next 15 minutes were non descript and it was in the 70th minute The Dock reduced the arrears as Sample got the slightest of flicks on a header from a free kick. The Woody had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down in the 75th minute and the thought was that ‘you had seen them given.’ Bryne was replaced by Colin O’Hanlon on 80 minutes and five minutes later Brunty had a header turned over the bar. The Dock were now going long and pumping every free kick into the Woody box aiming for the advanced Sample and it was deep into injury time when a free kick was lofted in and fell to Gary Reay, unmarked, six yards out and in front of goal. It still had to be finished and finish it he did!…..3.3.

I made it 96 minutes played and although the Woody will feel robbed the only positives we can take is that we kept going to the end and came back from 1.3 down to nick a point when we deserved none. Nice to get something when not playing well and I can’t believe that we will be that poor next time we meet.

Man of the Match :- Good performance from Josh Durres but Liam Simon edges it for a solid defensive display.

Report: Mike Stephens
Photos: Chris Stading

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Dock advanced into the next round of the Cheshire Cup with a 3.0 victory over Wirral Sunday League outfit Euro Wirral. It’s difficult to put a full match report up as I missed the first half due to other footballing matters and took over from Mick the Physio in the second. Mick had to go on a First Aid refreshment course to enable him to apply plasters to people and we wish him good luck with the course and exam.

What I’m not having……. is that Ponce!…….Reayman …….claiming a hat trick !!!!!!! Gary Reay is claiming Hammonds corner !!! The boy has no shame! There is no way Reayman is going to let a left back beat him in the leading goalscorer award ,so much so, that he is claiming anything in desperation. He’s won this award for something like eleven years on the bounce and is under a bit of pressure this year to retain the prestigious ‘Golden Hi -Heel.’ I would like to see Hammo in the centre forward role and Reayman in the left back berth for a couple of games and see the stats then !!!! I’ve been told, that when Jamie Kenyon started the season, all gun’s blazin’and with a couple of goals, Reayman wrote to the League to say Kenyon wasn’t signed on and he should be expelled from football and all his goals chalked off !

The action I did witness was solid and controlled and we deserved to be in the hat for the next round. The actual hat that the draw was made from, was Brunty’s. The one he wore on Ladies day at Chester Races 2007, a Pink Boater. He was there as part of the prize for winning ‘Claughton Village Beefcake 2007’. Anyway, we drew Macclesfield opponents in Pack Horse, who defeated The Towers 2.1 in the previous round. Woody gets his wish for an away day for a bit of camaraderie and male bonding !

Back to the action and Ian Brunt was Man of the match. No, seriously….. he was. What about the thunderbolt of a strike he unleashed from distance in the second half ? What about the tackles he put in ? What about the headers he won and the ‘’ eassssssssss’s’’ we heard? And what about breaking the Hundred Metres World Record when ReayMan started peeling off the Captains Armband as he was about to be substituted ?( deservedly. ) Mind you…. I think the Armband suited him and could be a permanent feature. We all know McGraa can be bribed and I predict Brunty will be the Skipper in the New Year. Brunty was interviewed after the match and here are the written extracts :

Reporter : ‘’ Ian, Ian, a quick word for Radio Five Live ?’’
Brunty : ‘’ F#*k off !
Reporter : ‘’ What’s up Ian ? you’re usually o.k for a few words. What’s bothering you?
Brunty : Mick Saunders has nicked my Vidal Sassoon conditioner !
Reporter : Well can’t you use someone else’s ?
Brunty : Someone else’s ?…… Someone F##kin’ else’s ? I’ve just had Hi-lights put in ! It’s got to be Vidal’s. I’m on The Graham Norton Show tonight !

Man of the Match : Ian Brunt. ( A mention must also go to the Squad for a Team performance)

Report: Mike Stephens

Dock have been drawn away against Macclesfield Premier Division Champions, Pack Horse, in the next round of the Cheshire Sunday Cup. Pack Horse have won the last six Macclesfield Sunday League Premier Division titles, so it should be an interesting game.

Our second meeting with Parkside this season ended in a comfortable 5.1 victory. Dock were out the traps on six minutes when master marksman, Gary Reay, netted from six yards when he was put in by Mick Saunders. Saunders has seemingly settled down now after his outrageous demands were not met by the Dock. Rumours are that ‘ The Arm’ turned him down, along with Reay, after a two week trial ended in controversy when Gary Reay demanded the number nine shirt from the regular centre forward. Onlookers have described the resulting catfight as watching Gok Wan slapping Julian Cleary and then throwing a Bacardi and Coke over him before saying “ C’mon Mick, we’re outta here!” Whatever the truth the duo combined well as Reayman opened the scoring.

Dock were playing some good stuff in the opening period with some well constructed moves with Griffiths, Head and ‘Six Fingered’ Hammond (more later) all prominent. Paul Wood was replaced by new signing Liam Simon after fifteen minutes with Woody complaining of a tight hamstring. Another astute signing, as Simon slotted into the back four with ease and gave an assured performance.

Indeed, it was the substitute that nipped in to win the ball in midfield on eighteen minutes and in turn, played it into Saunders who played a neat one-two before calmly putting the ball into the back of the net to make it 2.0.

Two minutes later, the lively Mark Head got down the left and drove into the box, he lost it briefly, only to regain it again to supply a short pass to Reay who’s first touch was superb to setup the chance which was inevitably snapped up for his second of the day and seventieth thousand of his career !

Five minutes after that Mark Head, again down the left, got free and his cross to the far post just evaded everyone steaming in. A minute later, Griffo blazed over the bar when put in by man of the match, Ian Brunt.

Dock got their fourth on twenty nine minutes after another strong run from Head resulted in his cross finding Saunders who almost contrived to miss from two yards out but managed to put it in eventually.

On the half hour mark Lee Hammond scored a goal of the season contender. From just inside their half and spotting the keeper slightly off his line, he unleashed a shot that screamed into the net beyond the despairing dive of the keeper. When interviewed in The Claughton after the game he ensured me that it was a shot on goal and not a long pass toward the far post ! I then asked him if he had six fingers like all footballers from Wallasey ? He showed me his hand and it is true…he had six fingers !

Five up after half an hour and Dock were content to get to half time without troubling the Parkside keeper anymore.
The Wardrobe came off at the break to be replaced by Nemanja Vidic. On 55 minutes Vidic passed the ball back to The Goose for a routine clearance only for the Big Soft Get to let it roll under his foot and into the net !

If you were critical you would say that the Dock switched off in the second half. The only things of note was a Mark Head effort that hit the post on 75 minutes and a Goose save that he tipped onto the bar and saw the rebound land in his arms !

‘Six Fingers Hammo’ was replaced by Sean Holmes on 80 minutes and that was that ! I must mention that Ian Brunt was exceptional with one dummy in the middle of the park that had everyone going for the Echo. The Sissor kick (photo above) needs a bit of work but all in all…… brilliant !

Man of the Match : Ian Brunt….who else ? but a mention must go to Mark Head who is looking dangerous again and could cause some damage in the coming weeks !

Report: Mike Stephens
Photos: Chris Stading

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A hard fought win in the second round of the Wirral Premier Cup against a side that will surely grace the Birkenhead Sunday Premier Division next season. This was a hugely anticipated tie and did not disappoint anyone who was watching.

It was straight into it after five minutes when Sean Holmes and the opposition winger became ‘involved’. Brunty thought he could sort it out but when it looked like it was getting tasty, he vacated the area and it was left to the ‘Wardrobe’ to sort out and eventually the Ref calmed the situation. Ten minutes later Mark Head cut in from the left and struck a right footed shot from twenty yards that flashed narrowly wide. Up the other end, ‘The Goose’ made a fine save as he parried a shot from distance. From the resulting cross he was crudely fouled and it all went off in the six yard box! As Goose’s team mates got round him, ‘The Wardrobe’ was alleged to have said to Goose’s assailant……“I eat Bricks!” How true this is, I do not know? My top mate Brunty has informed me that it is correct, although, how he would know when he was on the halfway line, well out of it, alongside that other ponce, Reayman, is in doubt!

As things heated up, it was clear Villa were not here to make the numbers up and passage into Round Three had to be earned. Tackles were flying in from both sides, players booked and even Packman was spoken to by Referee Neil Davis. Then Villa hit the post and in the scramble for the ball after the rebound, they had a huge penalty appeal for handball turned down. All this and only twenty five minutes gone !

After twenty six minutes, good link up play down the left resulted in Mark Head putting Sean Holmes in for a shooting chance and his shot took a deflection for a corner. Sean Holmes took the resulting corner and Tony Sample flicked it on into the Villa net. 1.0. It may of took a slight deflection on the way in but it would be harsh to deny Tony his goal.
Dock took a hold of the game in the period before half time and extended their lead on thirty five minutes when Paul Wood played a delightful ball to put Mick Saunders away down the right and his excellent cross to the far post found the head of Head and he duly made it 2.0. A great goal, Woody’s ball, Mick’s cross and Javier being where he should of been to nod home.

On forty three minutes Brunty done a little step over in midfield that drew gasps of admiration from the spectators. Rumours are that he is in fact, Storm Lee of X factor fame. Here’s me thinking Gary Reay and Brunty were actually Diva Fever of the same programme!

Just before the half time whistle Dock scored a third. Paul Byrne brought the ball out of defence and he had a couple of options on….. A short pass to Woody? A ball into midfield to Storm? No, he played it long into the corner flag for Mick Saunders to get hold of. Mick got a corner out of it and from that, it was played short to Bernie Holmes. He lobbed it in and it bounced over the keeper and in to make it 3.0. Simple goal you might think but it came from young Byrne making the right decision at that stage of the game. Protecting a two goal lead, right on the half, he could of easily passed to Woody or Storm and it may of broke down, they break and its 1.2 instead of 3.0. So well done Bernaaaaaaaard and credit to the Centre half.

Three up after half time you would think it was job done……far from it ! On fifty six minutes Reayman hit the post after being slipped in by Head and almost immediately Villa went down the other end to score. 3.1. Villa had a good five minute spell and hit the outside of the post during this period and on sixty five minutes reduced the deficit even more after Brunty’s header back to The Goose put him in trouble and although he saved, he could do nothing with the rebound and the ball found its way into the Dock net. 3.2. Villa were full of running and the Dock were finding it tough to stem the tide. We had an interesting last twenty minutes on our hands.

Dock were made to compete all the way and were awarded a penalty in the seventieth minute for a clear handball. Mark Head stepped up and scuffed it low to the keepers left to make it 4.2.

Still Villa kept going and Goose was in action again on seventy one minutes with a good save. Two minutes after that , Mick Saunders was put through but his strong run was well defended by Ex-Docker ‘Belgium Sam’. Next minute saw Reay blaze over the bar after rounding the keeper when he should of netted.

With ten minutes to go Charlie McInnes replaced Bernie Holmes to give fresh legs to proceedings and Woody was replaced by Nemanja Vidic who went to Right back.

On eighty five minutes, The Goose pulled off the save of the match when he got a strong hand to a shot from the edge of the area to put the ball over the bar for a corner which came to nothing.That was the last action of the match and the Dock were into the next round. A hard fought win against a side that we will be seeing a lot more of…. sooner rather than later.

Man of the Match : Storm Lee….but a mention must go to Paul Byrne who was excellent throughout.

Match Report: Mike Stephens
Photos: Chris Stading

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A solid performance from the Dock in a potential ‘banana skin’ game at New Ferry Park. Newly promoted Wirral Hotel will also be our opponents next Sunday in the Veronica Conway and it was recalled that when we last visited here (a couple of seasons ago) we had to work hard for a victory.

After settling down during the early stages, a ball over the top from Paul Byrne was latched onto by ace marksman Gary Reay who saw his shot well saved by the home keeper. The Goose had to save smartly to deny Wirral a goal scoring opportunity a couple of minutes later and this served as a wake up call to the team to up the ante a notch.

Nailed on winner of ‘ Player of the Year Award 2010/11’ Ian Brunt, was involved in the early stages showing deft touches and strong headers and I can’t quite decide whether he reminds me of Michael Essien of Chelsea or Roy Keane, formerly of Manchester United. God forbid that this powerhouse is injured or suspended because he will surely be impossible to replace. Credit to the Dock superstar as he has worked hard during the pre season to shift around three stone. He now weighs in at 17st 9llbs. Expect a more svelte like Brunty soon, as he is to appear in the latest ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ along with his mate Gavin Henson as a dancing partner.

Charlie McInnes justified his selection by opening the scoring on 18 minutes. It was a goal created by himself as he turned the full back and made his way into the box. His initial shot was beat out by the keeper only to return to him and he duly dispatched a shot towards goal that found its way into the net between post and keeper.

Wirral hit the bar two minutes after the restart after some hesitancy from The Goose and again this only served as a warning that we wouldn’t have it all our own way. On 35 minutes, Referee Dave Richards waved play on and played the advantage rule after Reay Man was fouled. The ball ran on to Josh Duress who saw his shot well saved by the keeper. Rumours are that Wirral Borough Council are to bill Reay Man after they had to fill in the crater left by Fat Arse after he landed when he was fouled.

The Goose again was called upon, when he got down smartly to save after the Wirral Hotel forward was slipped in and Sean Holmes struggling to get back to get a tackle in. It looked as though Wirral might have been thinking of getting something out of this period of the game until Craig Griffiths stepped up to score what is looking like his trademark goal. I missed his Cheshire Cup strike but I am assured that this effort was as spectacular. Controlling the ball on the edge of the box he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner to make it 2.0. A great goal and a great time to score, 5 minutes before the half time whistle. Reay man had a chance to extend the lead when his header hit the post and at the break it was 2.0 to the Dock.

Gary Reay effectively ended the game as a contest when he claimed his first with a guided header into the net from a Sean Holmes cross after good work from Tommy Hunt. On 64 minutes Reay Man claimed his second after more good work down the right from Tommy Hunt. Credit to Tommy who could have gone down in the area as he was impeded but elected to stay on his feet to get a cross in for Reay Man to force home.

In the 65th minute Brunty won a header and all you could hear around New Ferry Park was ‘’Eeeeeessss’’ Is this the correct spelling ? All that has been missing from his repertoire this season is his overhead kick clearance !

Griffo put Reay Man through for a one on one situation but the keeper pulled of a fine save away to his right to deny the sharpshooter. On 70 minutes Reay Man claimed his hat trick when played in by Tommy Hunt and that made it 5.0.

A welcome return to the set up by Jamie Kenyon who replaced Charlie McInnes with around 20 minutes to go. Tommy Hunt was replaced by experienced veteran Paul Wood and Paul Byrne was replaced by Carlett Park student Matty Carlin. Young Byrne came off to claim his Bonus ball money only to find it all gone and how we chuckled !

Man of the Match… Ian Brunt. Like a Rolls Royce in the middle of the park.

Match Report: Mike Stephens
Photos: Chris Stading

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Today’s visitors to the Wirral must have thought the Birkenhead Sunday league were a bunch of amateurs when eight teams were stood in the rain outside the Levers Sports Field changing rooms with no sign of a key holder. With one team who had traveled all the way from Crewe and Dock’s visitors Adswood United from Stockport it was agreed at 10:50am that the games would go ahead with players changing in mini buses and cars.

When the game finally got going it was Dock who did all the pushing and they were rewarded on the 10 minute mark when Craig Griffiths curled an impressive shot in the top corner form 20 yards out. Dock continued to push but were unable to extend their lead because of poor finishing or quality goalkeeping. However, with all the chances it was only going to be a matter of time before Dock got their second, and, on the 32 minute substitute Mark Head managed to double the scoreline when he was put in by Gary Reay.

The second half saw Dock continued to dominate but it wasn’t until the 75th minute that they scored their third which was headed home by Paul Byrne following a Craig Griffiths corner. Mark Head got Docks 4th after 80 minutes before second half substitute Iggy McGraa bagged himself a 5 minute hat-trick scoring in the 85th, 86th and 90th minute. Adswood did manage to get themselves a consolation goal with the only on target effort they managed, but the game was never in doubt.

Final score Dock 7-1 Adswood United

Dock cruised through to the next round of the Wirral Premier Cup with an emphatic 8-0 demolition of Ellesmere Port side Old Wirral 100. The rout started on the 10 minute mark when Gary Reay tapped the ball home after a goalmouth scramble involving the shaven headed Bernie Holmes. Lee Hammond made it 2-0 with a well taken penalty on 25 minutes after Charlie MacInnes was brought down in the box. Ian Brunt took a cheeky free kick on the half hour mark to make it 3-0. Paul Byrne was delighted when he got his first for the Dock on 34 minutes, then 2 minutes later Gary Reay got his second after superb work down the left hand side from Mark Head, Shaun Homes and Lee Hammond.

Dock continued their impressive form in the second half and went 6-0 up on 55 minutes when a Shaun Holmes goal bound corner was saved on the line by the New Wirral 100 keeper only for Tony Sample to latch onto the rebound and find the back of the net with a diving header, his first for the club. Six minutes later Dock made it 7-0 when Shaun Holmes delivered another superb corner which found Tony Sample head and shoulders above everybody else to head home. Gary Reay completed the scoring 2 minutes later when he lobbed the keeper from 18 yards out to get his hat-trick.

Report: Chris Stading (Stevo never bothered turning up)
Photos: Chris Stading

MOM: Stevo for not turning up

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