Club Tour to Prague 2004
Uppermill AFC Vs AVE FC
After
arriving in Prague the day before this tense international
match, Uppermill
AFC took the preparation for the game to a level never seen before in the
amateur game. After a pre-match meal of Pizza and 30 pints the team
retired to the Hotel (well some of us did!) for an hours sleep before the
coach arrived at 11am to take us to the match. Upon arrival at the
ground we were greeted by the sight which filled most of the team with
dread, a pitch with grass on and square nets!! The team quickly got
changed and proceeded to drink vast amounts of water in the midday heat of
the Czech Republic.
As the op
position
turned up Steve Bottom shouted " Milan Baros is playing", this did
not look good. After spending the first hour of the warm up fetching
the balls from the next field we were not a team full of confidence.
The game started in true friendly fashion, Steve Darraugh was taken out with
a brutal challenge. It was at this point that Raggy made the bold yet
determined decision that we should "Kick them back". This
we proceeded to do to there dislike. The game turned and we were
dominant for the next 5 minutes but not actually getting any closer.
Wilson was commanding, George Mills ra
ined
havoc down the wing and Matt Jackson.................well lets just leave it
there eh! The Shedster was an awesome site in full flow, belly full of
Lager never relaxing.
Half time came and went too quickly for the now weary warriors. Then minutes into the second half, Matt Harrop picked the ball up and let loose with an unstoppable 25 yard strike. The crowd went wild, and so did the team. With backs to the wall Uppermill held out for a historic victory. Not only had we won our first international game but we had beaten a side who have never lost to a touring team. This they met with great grace and did one straight after the game missing the 25p a pint bar after. After much free ale and food it was off to the local town to participate in a couple of lagers (well when in Rome!)
