The latest round of the Section Cup saw Digica pitted against Flying Horse this Sunday. With both teams riding high in their respective divisions, impartial observers would expect a keenly contested match but that Digica, being from the higher tier, would prevail. As it was, there were no impartial observers, just half a dozen hungover stragglers who seemed to have got lost on their way home from the Gaffer's 40th birthday party at the Gala Bingo Hall the previous evening.

After a rousing team talk from first team coach Rushby ("This lot probably think we're good, seeing as we're top if the league above them. Let's try not to mess up too much in the first few minutes, lest they realise the truth."), Digica were looking as confident as they possibly could. This confidence was slightly checked firstly by the realisation that they were playing a team half of whom were the early iterations of the genetic experiment that produced Peter Crouch, and secondly by the appearance of Dave Booth's nemesis, in the form of the referee that had dismissed him just three weeks prior for a perfectly innocent karate kick to the face of a small child standing near the sidelines who had looked at him 'funny'.

The game started well with Digica showing composure on the ball, and solidity at the back. Defending was not easy for a heroic back four who found the odds stacked against them. Not only were they facing a forward line composed entirely of people were not only taller than Rob Burden, but could actually step over (but not out-jump) Gerry at right back, the pitch had been recently mowed diagonally denying the defenders any frame of reference when trying to maintain a flat back line, and they were further hampered by the make-shift 'keeper who lined up behind them. Digica's reticence in the transfer market since Wadlow was drafted into the defence, has seen them forced to field Bowler (a centre forward) in between the sticks and out of position for several years now. Questions should be asked of the board.

Nevertheless, the defence held firm in the face of adversity. With Adam absent and Chris Tivey 'rested', the front line was much changed. Shab stepped in and displayed his normal leadership qualities both inspiring and calming the Digica players, and Godber worried the defence with his pace. Despite the solid base provided by the back four, the attacking part of the team could not find a way through and resorted to kicking the goalie and forcing him off the park. During the 5 minute period that one of the Peter Crouches (Peter Crouch V0.3) donned the gloves and took over goalkeeping duties, Digica pounced twice. First, a quality piece of football saw a quick passing move end up at feet of Shab at the edge of the area with his back to goal. A no-look flick found the run of Booth who then smashed a quality finish into the roof of the net. This was then followed quickly by another goal and some more professional defending which meant Digica were 2-0 up at the half-time interval.

During the second half Digica started to show their class. More goals followed against a demoralised Flying Horse defence. The most notable of which was a stunning volley from Burden, despite bossing the defence and winning almost everything in the air the magnificent centre-back found the time to gallop forward and give the show-boaters up front a lesson in finishing. His run into the box was at pace and yet beautifully timed, his highly tuned footballing brain spotting the opportunity whilst all around were flat-footed and feeble-minded. A gracious strike that strained the net, left the 'keeper no chance and elicited a cry of anguish from the sidelines as the Gaffer realised that he had lost his lead in the "Top Scoring Centreback Challenge '07/'08". The only thing lacking was a quality celebration: the half-arsed slide in the mud was completely lacking in any air-guitar action, but let's not get hyper-critical.

At four-nil Flying Horse got what looked like a consolation goal. A lack of closing down from the midfield allowed the space for Peter Crouch V0.1 to try a speculative lob from well outside the area, Flying Horse obviously realising that the only way they could possibly score was to bypass the imperious Digica defence. What would have been a bread and butter save for a real keeper exposed Bowler's lack of positioning and looped into the net. It was surely too little too late however, and when Digica got the fifth they knew they were in the quarter finals. However, there was still time for another mistake from Bowler, receiving a well weighted pass from Burden, Bowler attempted a step-over ignoring the danger of the on-rushing Peter Crouch V1.3, his delay was fatal as the attempted clearance struck the attacker. The ball seemed to be going wide for a goal kick before Bowler pulled off a full length diving header to deflect the ball goal-wards. As it turned out the own goal was the last piece of real action and the game finished 5-2.

So a comfortable win for Digica's defence, and a really impressive performance. A touching presentation afterwards saw the Gaffer receive a beautiful mug, and a red rag to polish it with as a recognition of the hard work he has put in over the last 15 years, somewhat overcome with emotion Ollie was heard to say "I could do with a sit down, me gammy leg's starting to play up." Let's just hope he sorts out the goalkeeping problem before things get too bad and the team demand their mug back. Quarter final anyone?