World Cup Fever| 04.06.10

Football fans were given a taste of World Cup fever last week when a team of students took on the might of the Faculty of Construction (plus a couple of ringers) staff side.  The match was played to raise funds for the Football Strips for Malawi initiative which Construction students had arranged as part of the Equality and Diversity Week.

In the searing heat and high altitude of Ballerup Recreational Ground in East Kilbride, the staff side started without latecomers John Carr and David McLaren, and quickly found themselves four goals down, with the students forcing save after save from goalkeeper Michael “The Cat” Duke.

Once at full strength, the staff side eventually got into their stride and with midfield maestros Paul Slavin and Alex Somerville showing some neat skills, the goals started flowing at the other end.  John Carr picked up a quick hat trick as the staff closed the goals gap and they seemed to cope better with the heat as the students’ legs tired.

Despite a late surge, the students hung onto their lead, emerging victorious by 10 goals to nine. 

Staff side – Michael Duke, Kirk Elwood, John Carr, David McLaren, Alex Somerville, Paul Slavin, John Bell and Stephen Nolan.  They all deserve a medal for coming back so strongly in what were particularly non-Scottish weather conditions.

Man of the Match – referee Tony Brown who remained impartial throughout and didn’t put a foot  wrong.