Palmers Squad......

Mickey Hurricane (GK) - Drafted in at the last minute as injury cover - just like the famous TMS trophy. Could he repeat his goalscoring antics?!

Chris James - To most of us, CJ was the blonde with the huge rack from baywatch - but this guy has edged her out... Mr dependable, should be playing for Newquay but that's a different matter!

Sam Eglington - Eggy was out to prove that he is more than ready to lift silverware - and this was the best chance to do it, surely?

Mikey Davies - It wasn't going to be a matter of if he would score - it would be how many he would score... golden boot for Mikey D?!

Grant Russell - Captain and Mr Dependable - First down on the penalty list... and has a great track record of winning the toss...

Matt Hallett - All those games at P6's were going to pay off sooner or later - was this going to be the platform for Hallett to make a name for himself?!

Adam Weller - Even a flair team has to have a defender - Robust and very likely to pull a cruyff turn to get out of trouble - could Weller come up with the goods after another great season at Mount Wise?

On arrival, the CPT team found out their schedule - a group of four with the opposition a totally unknown quantity.

CPT 4 - 1 Long Rock FC

Eggy, Mikey D, Grantos, Weller

The CPT team started as they hoped to go on as Russell opened the scoring within the first ten seconds. The rotation system appeared to be working well as Adam Weller, Eggy and Mikey D managed to get on the scoresheet. CPT gave away a frustrating goal towards the end as the 0-0-4 formation finally had its commupance.

CPT 7 - 1 Atlantic FC

CJ, Eggy (2), Mikey D, Hallett (3)

After a resounding first win, it was important to get the goal difference margin greater... and that was exactly what happened as Mikey D added his second of the tournament in the opening 10 seconds, lashing an awesome drive into the roof of the net from range. Hallett smashed an awesome hat-trick to put him in pole position for the golden boot, Eggy joined him on 3 with a brace. CJ chipped in with his opening goal of the tournament... and Scott was happy with his rotation system.

CPT 5 - 0 GFC

Eggy (2), Mikey D (2), Grantos

The next nearest team in the group faced a CPT side that had scored 11 goals and conceded 2 - with the runner up likely to bag a game against P6's Keep It Local (who were playing under a very random name!). Only Mickey Hurricane hadn't scored so far in the tournament...

CPT got out of the traps first and were two up by half time. Mickey was trying hard to get on the scoresheet - and a free kick from range picked up a slight deflection and smashed into the post... Eggy moved to the top of the golden boot table with another brace - and Mikey D also chipped in with a couple more to ensure qualification for the knockout stages with a resounding 5-0 win.

Sadly CJ picked up a bad knock which meant that he was unable to take part in any more games, so the lads really wanted to make sure he walked away with a medal... Mikey D also picked up a knock which meant he was only able to destroy teams in the second half...


Scott was so badly injured that he was unable to play. Some people have bad backs and never play again. But not Scott...

He smashed a 72mph strike at the laser gun to win another two dozen beers for the team fund. Could CPT clear up and take home the beer stack?!

Knockout Stages

Last 16, Knock out Stages CPT 2 - 0 Hayle Madrid

Grantos, Hallett

After a lengthy break of two hours and far too much food, CPT struggled to get a control over the first game in the knockout stage. Although they were sound at the back, CPT struggled to convert until Grant Russell and Matt Hallett bagged the goals to see CPT through to the quarter finals.

Quarter Final, CPT 6 - 0 Average Joes

Rabone, Hallett, Mikey D (4)

The game started in the same manner as the last sixteen fixture - very frustrating and a great performance from the opposing keeper looked like it could be a tough tie for the CPT lads.

Russell had a corner cleared up field and Mickey Hurricane took one touch, teed up the ball from inside his half and smashed a rocket which crashed into the post and found its way into the corner via the keeper. That was just the boost the CPT lads needed and Hallett added a second - only for Mikey D to steal the show - and possibly the golden boot - with four goals in a matter of minutes - including a lashed left foot half volley which the keeper didn't even see...

Semi Finals, CPT 1-1 Fort XI (CPT win 3-2 on penalties)

Grantos

Just like the hazy days of the famous Premier Sixes victory at the TMS trophy, CPT found themselves up against Fort XI in another tough semi-final fixture. And to help with future bragging rights, CPT had to win.

Within the opening seconds CPT found themselves one down after a defensive mix-up, but worked hard to redeem themselves as Grant Russell contributed with another great goal, lifting the ball over the advancing keeper and into the roof of the net.

Inevitably the game went to penalties as Fort's battle cry was to the tune of 'C'mon lads, lets park the bus'... and out came the famous Western Greyhound.

Fort took the first kick, with Deadman slotting home past Hurricane. And when CPT had missed their first penalty and Fort had added another, it was up to Hurricane to do his bit as CPT were heading out if they conceded the third and final penalty. Knowing that nerves were getting better of the penalty taker, Hurricane threw the ball in his direction and said something (which cannot be repeated)... and whatever he said worked, as the Fort player put his penalty wide. Sudden Death, and Weller joined Eggy with a successfully struck penalty kick.

Sudden death - and all square - up stepped a confident Hurricane cheered on by his CPT team-mates. Somehow he managed to save the low hard strike and left Hallett with the chance to make all those penalties at Bishops field worthwhile ... and he did, powering home a great penalty to put CPT in the final... revealing a 'I belong to scooter' t-shirt in the process. CPT had reached the final.

The Final, CPT 6 - 2 City Slickers

Grantos, Eggy, Mikey D (4)

The two big teams met in the final and chances were at a premium in the first half - until Mickey Hurricane undid all of his good work by somehow letting the ball spin into his net whilst not concentrating. A quick response was required to save his blushes - and Eggy was the man to do it as he headed home after Russell had stung the keeper's palms straight from kick off.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man... and four goals in one half in the quarter final was just not enough for Mikey D as he repeated his antics in the final with four stunning finishes which made a mockery of the opposing goalkeeper. Grant Russell chipped in with the other goal to secure an amazing victory in the final!

Cornwall Poker Tour - Kings of Cornwall!

Next Step - Knockout Cup, Plymouth.



Golden Boot Chart:

12 - Mikey D
6 - Eggy
5 - Hallett
5 - Russell
1 - CJ
1 - Weller
1 - Hurricane

Goals scored - 31

Goals conceded - 6

Total beers won - 96

5-a-side records achieved...

Most megs (11) - Grantos
Worst sunburn - draw - CJ and Mickey
Darren Anderton award - CJ
Woodwork king - Grantos (3)
Most embarrassing - Mickey's mistake in the final
999 life saver award - Eggy
Can't win a 50/50 coin toss - Grantos