Middle Park Football Club

MPFC lined out in the usual yellow jersey while Preston South completed the homage to the linesman’s flag in their bright tangerine outfits. This ensured the first half started brightly in at least one context. The Parkers tried to get the passing game going in a reasonably tight opening ten minutes. The first chance fell to the head of Mark Stone after a cross from the right by Micky Furness. Unfortunately, the Cork man saw his effort float over the bar.

Preston South, with nothing to lose, came more into the game and struck a couple of long range efforts. The aerial ability of Barry, JF and big Dave was put to the test on several occasions but the back three proved to be equal to the job.

On the half-hour mark in a stop-start game, Brian dived superbly to his right to keep a good effort out of the bottom corner.

A breakdown of passing at the back gave Preston South a half chance which was screwed wide while a break away for the Parkers saw a three on three ( four with Mark “Marathon Man” Scotney  joining in) sadly break down in it’s tracks.

Some good MPFC pressure, a corner and a penalty shout for a handball represented an improvement for the home side although the defence was still kept busy with Barry and Mark Scotney tracking back well to make some good tackles.

The Preston boys had the last word of the first half with a very decent effort from the number 8 that sailed just over.

Some improvement for MPFC needed in the second half. Not a performance of champions so far.

The first chance of the second half fell to Wayne following another cross from Micky F from the right, the keeper managing to scramble it away.

The Tangerine boys forced a great save from Brian as he tipped a deflected free kick over the bar. The Parkers started to create a few chances of their own. Sadler forcing a corner before Hart tested the keeper with a headed effort.  Shortly after that, Bravehart weaved his way into the box and was brought down in the area – Penalty.

With the new regular penalty taker JA “the communicator” missing, Bravehart stepped up to take the penalty he’d just won and placed it brilliantly into the path of the diving keeper – good save.

All set up for an inspired substitution then, as Stoney made way for Johnny P who slotted into a defensive midfield slot allowing Micky F to play further up the pitch. 

Marty G whipped a ball in from the right which was headed just wide by Sadler. Again the game turned a bit stop-start with Preston South winning a few free kicks around the middle of the park.

Cooksey entered the fray for Marty on the right and there were three more incidents of note: 

The Preston keeper failed to hold a cross / shot from Wayne and as it bobbled up Sadler bundled in to head over the line from 2 inches out.

Scotney cracked an effort from 20 yards off the underside of the bar and out off the line – no Russian lineman today.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Furness fired in from 20 yards and saw the ball fly neatly into the right hand side of the auld onion bag to put a gloss on the afternoon’s score line.

Two – nil, three more points and the League title wrapped up.

Brian Donlevy, JF Bouthillier, Barry Dolan, Dave McDowell, Marty Gallagher (Ben Cooksey, 65), Micky Furness, Iain Sadler, Jason Hart, Wayne Helena, Mark Scotney, Mark Stone (John Peyton, 60).

Goals: I Sadler 70’, M Furness 90’.

CHAMPIONS!!! WELL DONE BOYS!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FOUR TEAMS ON AN EXCELLENT SEASON.

“MPFC” ON TOP IN THREE DIVISIONS!!! For it’s a grand old team to play for.......