Apologies for the lateness of the report but have been training at altitude I didn't realise the impact of being in a different time-zone....bit like Bazzer's reflex's on his come-back game.. from what I heard !

..actually, I didn't know the password and therfore lost 2 reports!!

As the game approached, nervous anticipation filled the air as Sarum prepared for a backlash following their victory at the start of the season. In fact since 2008 the only side to have beaten the "Boyz" are Sarum Knights.

The game started well with both sides intent on playing their natural passing game although Shandy Boyz were looking to press home their physical prowess. This was demonstrated in the most unlikely of incidents , when, from a short corner, the smallest player on the pitch knocked over arguably the biggest player on the pitch with a forearm smash between the shoulder blades. The referee was unsighted and didn't see the incident. Alas as the ball broke free, a speculative shot hit Longbaldie's heel as he was lying prostrate on the floor like a "salmon out of water", and subsequently looped over the stranded "bazzer" into the net. You fat ba..... "the crowd roared but no-one was sure whether this was for Longbaldie or Bazzer or both !!

It was not only "the Boyz" who were demonstrating that they had muscle....this was typified by the "Nic" when he skilfully felled their attacker early in the half when he looked a certainty to score. In fact the "Nic" had one of his best and most influential games for sometime thus re-inforcing why there has been so much specualtion in the transfer market about him.

At 1-0 down the Knights were up against it but continued to stick to their principles and were unlucky not to equalise when Alex prodded the ball onto the post. The "Boyz" were worth their lead but against a well organised "Knights" they could take nothing for granted.

The next period of the game saw Bazzer save a few speculative shots but the signs were ominous as the "boyz" began to exert pressure. This told after about 30 mins when the ball was given away in midfield and the Shandy Boyz were incisive to make it 2-0.

Just when it looked like the game would peter out an excellent ball by Sam found Alex who took the ball in his stride and majestically placed the ball over the diving keeper into the corner of the net.

At 2-1 it was all to play for, that was until Longbaldie back-heeled a weak pass to Bazzer under pressure. Nonetheless no danger was evident until the "Boyz" attacker firstly ran across the area and then kicked the ball in the area to complete his hat-trick. Despite protestations from the Knights and their supporters, the referee gave the goal. This incident will not only fuel the debate for video technology but it will also increase the demands for a referee who can run occassionaly ! After the game the referee apologised stating that " he had a bad back". It is unlikely that the Knights will be sending him a "get well card !!!

With both the game and time slipping away Knights pushed forward and were inevitably caught by the sucker punch losing a 4th goal towards the end.

In many ways the scoreline didn't reflect the game but there is no doubt that the the Boyz derserved to win as a result of their more "professional" approach and their clinical ability in front of goal. 

A small consolation for the Knights was that the Boyz keeper stated that they always found Sarum one of the hardest teams to play against and difficult to break down.

Gary Neild reporting from his Ivory Tower.

Nice report Longbaldie