"I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down" - Chumbawamba

Last week the 4's were inspired by Hopie's injury, this week our Maori Marauder like Ruaumoko to inspire his side to a 3-2 win over Yardley. All 5 goals came in the second half but that's not to say the first half was uneventful. Harborne controlled the ball well, moving it about but could not break down a stubborn Yardley defence. If stats were being calculated, the Fours had about 93.7% of the ball with a shot accuracy of 23%. We went in at the break 0-0 but we spirits were high as we felt if we kept doing what we were doing, the breakthrough would come. Spoons gave some rallying words. "The only limits in our game are those we impose on ourselves." There was stunned silence. This probably contributed to the slow start to the second half. We allowed Yardley to get back into it and put ourselves under pressure. Step forward the Maori Marauder. There are moments in a season that are never forgotten, Gerrard slipping, Cantona's Kung Fu kick, Djimi Traore's own goal in an FA Cup third round game. This was one of them. With all the grace of Tāwhirimātea, Hopie took the game by the scruff of the neck. Time and time again he rampaged down the right hand side like a young Joe Rokococo, leaving their left back in a tailspin. Eventually our hard work led to the first goal of the game. Jamie won the ball in midfield, drove forward and played a pinpoint pass to Adam who slipped it to Planty. Planty stopped it and unleashed a shot that flew past the stranded goalie. It pinged off the post, hit the keepers back and dropped behind the line. Planty wheeled away like a young Alan Shearer and we were on our way.....or so we thought. Yardley came back at us and managed to get an equaliser within a few minutes. A lesser side would have wilted but not the fours. Hopie continued to charge up the right and send balls into the D. He was like a man possessed with the spirit of Kiwa and it began to rub off on the rest of the side. Buxton drove at the D and smashed a ball to the back post. We had done this all game but no one had been there. Not this time! Planty appeared and got the deflection to put us back into the lead. Cue more Alan Shearer celebrations. Now was time to control the game.... Yardley pushed back and came at us. Their centre midfielder got the ball and weaved in and out and around our defence to finish in the back of the net. 2-2. Back to square one.

We came at them again. There were lots of half chances but our composure and final touch let us down. Eventually our hard work and perseverance paid off when Jamie managed to squeeze the ball into the corner. We shouted, we cheered, Jamie jumped for joy. We had gone 3-2 up. Until it was brought back for a foot. Our chance was gone. But this is the fours, we always have a chance. With time almost up, we won a short. After a longer than normal chat, we set ourselves up. It looked like we were going to do the usual. Out to top D, miscontrol and shoot wide. Yardley obviously thought the same as they rushed on Planty. However, Planty showed his composure by moving the ball directly back to Buxton who , unmarked on the post, deflected it into the net. 3-2! The final whistle went shortly after. A hard fought win that was deserved. We had a number strong performances through the game but the MOTM went to our favourite Maori. He stepped up when counted and drove us on. The win leaves us third, 3 points behind second place.

Scorers: Planty x 2, Buxton
Assists: Adam, Buxton, Planty.

MOTM: Hopie
Doc of the Day:Simon