RAMPANT RILEY SHINES AT SOUTHWOLD

On Saturday, 6th June 1992, 24 teams from However, Split finished their group matches with
various corners of East Anglia converged on a good victory against L.A. Rangers. The first half
sleepy Southwold to compete in a five-a-side especially was reminiscent of Holland's total
football championship. The Lab side, marshaled football of the 1970's as first Matt Sherlock and
by Marc Scriven, started superbly in their opening then Marc Scriven quite literally made the net
match of Group D bulge slightly with
when a rasping drive excellent goals. Rangers
from man-of-the- pulled one back but
match Bill Riley found Split were worthy
the net. Riley seemed winners.
determined to make a Third place in the group
huge impression in was the result and Split
what could possibly be were left to rue the 2
his last appearance in points dropped in the
a Haddock Split jersey. opening match that
More chances could have given them
followed but it was a place in the quarter-
Maypole's Merry Men finals.
who equalised against Andy Gouldby,
the run of play to earn controversially signed
a point. to Pier Avenue
The next match against Wanderers, repaid
Pakefield Boys always some of his over-
looked to be a difficult inflated transfer fee
encounter but it was (reputedly two free
not until an unfortunate deflected goal off the pints of Adnams in the team sponsors' hospitality
new signing from Leicester City, Ian Staniland suite) with two fine goals as his side reached the
that Split began to struggle. Riley with his jinking last eight of the competition.
runs was again Split's best player as they went Afterwards, Split supremo Scriven was not
down 3-0 to the eventual finalists. It would have reported to have said, "The lads applied
been more but for acrobatic goalkeeping from themselves in a professional manner but at the
Phil "The Cat" Welsby and some unforgiving end of the day it's all about sticking the ball in the
tackling from Alasdair "Terminator" Scott. This onion bag. Obviously, the lads are gutted."
defeat made qualification for the quarter-finals
nigh on impossible.

Kevin Keable
Football Correspondent