FirParkCorner made the journey south to Stevenage (North London) to play a game set up by one of FPC players Del the Goalie. Mallard FC are a semi-pro side who have their own ground and play in a league just below the Unibond League. In terms of football it was throwing the meat to the lions. They were against a FPC side who looked tired and hungover from the night of travelling (they say it was the shock of playing infront of fans, 30-40 approx.)
Due to a lack of support from FPC players we had to get the “driver” of the bus Scott Mclean to draft in a couple of guys. The guys joined in and there was a good atmosphere and team spirit on the bus during the voyage south. 
The game was not held at Mallards home ground because there turf was not ready to be played on due to this fixture being moved forward a week. We played them at a “local” park in Weston (Stevenage). The facilities were not too bad and the pitch was wide but decent.
The game started with FPC playing a 3-4-3 against their 4-4-2. Mallard won kick-off and within 10 seconds they had the first opportunity with Del Gk saving doing well to save a low shot. FPC attacked and took the lead through a certain John “Jnr” Barclay with a volley from the edge of the box after a throw in from Gilly.
Mallard brought on their captain Darren Wilson (Del GK mate who also organised the trip) which proved to be a very good change by the Stevenage team. They had a couple of really good chances which included a shot which took a wicked deflection goalbound off of Gilly but Del GK stretched and turned onto the post and was applauded by all the other 21 players on the pitch.
They soon became level when a through ball caught out the FPC side and their very quick forward put over Del’s head. Mallard being a very physical side were putting in hard challenges all afternoon as FPC lost the services of Kenzie who had to come off with a blister on his foot and Mitch soon had to come off with an ankle/leg/back injury cause by a 50/50 challenge. FPC kept fighting on and were solid for the rest of the1st half due to good defensive work from Moysie, Moonie and Steff. Ian, Kenzie and James were putting in hard challenges to keep the Mallard side at bay.
The second started off with the same team that finished the 1st and Sean Dimmock was causing problems for the Mallard side up the left hand side of the park. Mallard took the lead in the 70th minute when a cross came in which was mishit by one of there players and was put into the net in a small goalmouth scramble. 2-1 to the home side.
FPC battled on but Mallard had a striker who could run 100m in less than 10 seconds so he was a “whippet” in our eyes. We lost a 3rd goal soon after – having taken centre and before we knew it there nippy forward had got the ball and ran round a few tired FPC players and slotted the ball into the far corner. (This guy was fast!).
FPC battled hard and got a corner. The ball was put into the box but they broke loose and scored their 4th and wrapped the match up. The end of the game was played out with FPC still battling hard. FPC came close with Jnr almost scoring but their centre half cleared the ball before he got a chance to slot it under the goalkeeper. Another late chance fell to Ian but before he knew it he had a man hot on his heels and had to hit a quick shot which the keeper saved just as the final whistle went.
Mallard FC won the game 4-1 but it all came down to stamina in the end and the fact that FPC had 5 players in the team that we had just met 24 hours prior to the match.
The trophy won by Mallard FC is The Gavin Haynes Trophy in which the man mentioned is suffering from M.S and has had to give up football. He has helped out with Mallard FC and still is on the scene. Best Wishes to him.
The game was a success and every player on the park was brilliant. I would like to thank Del GK for running this trip and all the players whom filled in. Steff, James, Ian, Mark, Sean and Scott McLean for making the effort. The Mallard team also commented that the FPC team who turned out on the day could hold themselves in their league (Anyone fancy moving to London).
FPC Team - Del, Moonie, Moysie, Steff, Sean, Mark, Kenzie, James, Mitch, Jnr, Gilly, Scott McLean, Scott Mullen , Ian.
MOM- Sean Dimmock which was picked by the referee John Batcheldor.