Own-goal nightmare

The warden football team (after the match!) (Wez Smith)

Farne Island Wardens 4 – 5 Seahouses Boatmen

Wednesday evening witnessed the first of the football clashes between the warden and Seahouses boatmen and what a clash it was! The first half was a typical tight affair with very little between the two teams before the boatmen broke the deadlock through Mickey Craig. However the wardens replied soon after through the brilliance of new warden Ciaran and with the game ebbing and flowing, it was the boatmen who raced into a 2-1 lead, as Danny P rifled home just before half-time. Half-time Wardens 1-2 Boatmen

The second half witnessed plenty of drama as the game appeared to be escaping the wardens, as a fine strike from Craig Pringle put the Seahouses men 3-1 up. However the goal appeared to galvanise the wardens who soon responded in fine style, smashing three quick goals (including a hat-rick from Ciaran and a fine team goal with Jamie finishing it off, to turn the game on its head at 4-3.

However the final 15 minutes witnessed a warden collapse as the island men scored not one, but two own goals to give the Boatmen a 5-4 lead in a thriller of a match. I won't name the own goal scorers, but the head warden can claim one.... With minutes remaining the wardens rallied for that elusive equaliser and despite intense pressure, could not find the break through. The boatmen hung on for a 5-4 win and everyone enjoyed the first game of the season although maybe not for me, who scored an own goal and was briefly knocked out and minus a tooth by the end of the game. Who said it was a friendly!? Role on the rematch.