The end of an era

After months of being terminally ill its with deep regret I have to inform you that this site has passed away. Its official time of death is unknown but what I do know is it went quietly and peacefully with very little pain.

The good news is its offspring is alive up and running and looking good. All updates will now be on the new site which can be found at http://www.potblackfc.co.uk/ Check it out!

Rob

NEW site under construction

I am well aware the website has had no update for a while but there is a reason, I’m currently in the process of designing a new one! Bare with me as the wait will be well worth it.

Retard

End of Season Party

(click on image to enlarge)

One Last Big Push!

Lowestoft & District Div 1- 20/04/10

Pot Black FC- 1

Oxford Arms- 3

Match Overview- It never rains it really just pours and Tuesday nights game and final midweek fixture for PB dealt to sickening blows, a second consecutive defeat and an injury that will see Kev Sherwood sidelined for a long period. With the Gaffer away in Bury St Edmunds taking Mass in his second occupation as father Mckinley, Sterry stepped in to the caretaker role which has so far seen him face Norton, Hearts of Oak and Tuesdays fixture of Oxford Arms.. Cheers Dan. When the txt came through stating the team and lack of subs the immediate thoughts where, ‘we can’t afford any injuries’ oh how we’d come to regret that thought. With the spine of the side missing in The ‘Right Said Fred’ Boyds, PT, Crab Collins and Gav Hunt we were yet again forced to re-shuffle. Despite this reshuffle PB were still able to name a strong 11 with a back line of Sherwood, Sterry, Laws, Landsdale, Rose a midfield of Jim Harvey, Molby Jones, Targer, Rob Cooper and a front line of attack in Bird and Wilson.

The game looked to be an awesome affair as the first few blows were dealt with equal amounts of passion but inside 15 minutes the game was all but over as PB no1 Kev Sherwood jumped to collect a bread and butter catch only to fall to the ground after what seemed to be the slightest of nudges from the Oxford striker. Kev was obviously in pain and holding his knee but to be honest the noises coming from him as he writhed about in agony suggested the Oxford player may have been tooled up so I contemplated frisking the player for a knife. There were no visible signs of a break or stab wound for that matter and to his credit Kev tried to play on through the pain as we had zilcho subs let alone a sub keeper but the moment Kev was called into action he again broke down in agony. It was obvious his part in this game was over if not for the foreseeable future, Kev we all wish you a speedy recovery... See you Sat?! Step up Rob Cooper who gladly donned the green shirt and Gloves that Kev filled so well. With no subs PB had to play on with 10 men until either of the following happened; one of the named subs turned up or Kev borrowed a knee off one of the children on the skate park. Luckily for the children Max Wall turned up taking his usual spot in centre Mid with the slippery Simon Durrant taking up the left wing role.

The following 10mins saw an even affair play out with either side taking the driving seat and just when you thought loosing Kev so early might not have an effect a nothing free kick saw the Oxford striker somehow find space between the colossal pairing of Laws and Lansdale, and the goal mouth usually commanded by the veteran Sherwood. His unmarked header was nonchalantly guided past Rob Cooper who was still trying to work out how to tighten the gloves. This seemed to ignite l’Orange and a 10 minute spell of vintage PB saw Wilson rattle the post after some neat passing out wide but his seemingly goal bound shot did nothing more than almost bring the goal down rather than break the net.

At half time despite being 1 down and losing our number 1 we still believed that we could turn things round but this optimism was soon carrying a blemish. When the simple thing would have been to roll the ball to the man he was facing Adam Bird had a rush of blood to his head and tried to turn his man with his back to goal. Unfortunately for Bird the full back read it like an Eastenders plot and stole the ball from under his toes proceeding to run the full length of the pitch and into an ‘only one winner’ one on one with Rob Cooper who could do nothing to prevent the ball being slid past him. At 2-0 Black visibly looked irked and threw everything at Oxford. Chance after chance went begging and you could hear the murmurs of “its gonna be one of those days” whisper round the side. Just when you thought we couldn’t buy a goal an in swinging Max Wall corner caught everyone asleep as an unmarked and surprised Simon Durrant was struck on the head by the ball seeing it end up in the back of the net. Game on. PB had somehow wriggled out of a full nelson and now had Oxford sweating in their jocks as Potblack looked the more likely to score. Adam Bird was released through one on one only for his shot to be pulled just wide, Wilson likewise created by his own chance through sheer determination but his left footed shot was easily picked up by the keeper. As PB pushed on gaps appeared at the back but butter hands Cooper was on hand to collect ‘most’ things thrown at him... excluding the catchable corner he limp wristedly flapped at, how that missed every Oxford player I don’t know, and it was at this point we began to think “is our luck changing?” No, a killer blow was dealt by the noticeably bulked up Gareth Wright whose neat finish might, on another day have been met by PB’s number one resulting in a different outcome? Who knows, but credit goes to the boys in white ish pink who have like us last season outperformed in a league that is usually so predictable.

As the game fizzled out worthy mentions must go to Jim Harvey who ran himself into the ground even when we had our backs to the wall, Simon Durrant who tried to turn things round with his unexpected header and Ross Jones who came through his first 90 minutes, with cramp only once, in an orange shirt this side of 2000.

Goals- Simon Durrant

G&H Windows & Doors m.o.m- Jim Harvey, Credit goes to those who never give up, even when we’re in the trenches.

Pot Black 'rocked' by Injury!

With awful injuries bestowed on Pot Black already this year with Steven Foulkes and Vinny Terry awaiting surgery, L'Orange Legend Kev Sherwood has joined that list after last nights match.

Sherwood berated by his opponents who assumed he was faining injury after 10 minutes of last nights match against Oxford Arms, yet in truth after jumping for a ball, what we can only imagine was an awkward landing has left Kev with a serious injury.

Kev (pictured left) who was seen at J.P.H today has torn both his knee cartilage, ligaments, and will be returning to the fracture clinic as their appears to be bone floating around the knee.

Sherwood who has made over 170 appearances for Pot Black scoring 24 goals in the process sees his frustrating and disappointing season ended painfully.

All the lads wish L'Orange Icon Kev a speedy recovery.

***March Goal of The Month***

Despite all the contestants arguments that it shouldn't count as didn't even know where it was going!

Adam Bird has done again, and in my opinion it was a real cracker, as the gem of his 5 minute 4 goal spree was smashed home hitting both posts on its way!

1st- Adam Bird Vs Wrentham 50%
2nd- Gav Hunt Vs Seltic 30%
3rd- Darren Boyd Vs Caxton 20%

Well done Birdy, we know you can do it, so best you start believing it too!

(As for the picture, it has no relevance but amused me anyway!)

L'Orange humbled by New Champs

Lowestoft & District Div 1- 18/04/10

Pot Black F.C- 1

Norton Athletic- 4


Match Overview- Despite a two match revival which saw the outcome of the league decided by the team in Orange, it was ironic that P.B now faced the side they'd done so much to help, as newly crowned champions Norton visited Costa Del Lowestoft for a match that would prove little more than a formality.

Pot Black's ranks were visibly depleted as they started with a bare 11 and some unfamiliar faces in their ranks. Mark Lansdale (pictured above) started at centre half after some solid appearances off the bench in recent weeks, Neil Banks and Keith Doddington right midfield and striker made their first appearances in Orange since October last year, with fitness showing as Banks received oxygen at the interval.

As in previous weeks the home side started strongly as they dominated possession with Simon Durrant and a still hobbling Max Wall from the H.O.O clash were tormentors in chief as they continually burst from midfield but failed to find the finishing touch.

Like the three kings following the north star this season P.B continue to offer bloody gifts, as Norton's only two chances of an Orange first 45 minutes were handed on a late as firstly as a simple corner found a Norton player totally unmarked at the back post to nod home, and secondly a bumbled pair of one twos between Messrs Laws and D Boyd, saw Lawsey miss cue his clearance to the Norton striker who comfortably beat Keeper Kev Sherwood.

At half time Pot Black were rightly annoyed that at half time a mixed Orange XI were some how losing to a side who did not look worthy of a league title, but in the second half despite their frailties in defence looked a more threatening beast in the second half as Green and T. Hudson (in particular) showed their class as quick goal finished the match as a contest as Pot Black only real goal left is to limp past the finish line in order to rebuild in the summer.

Norton made it four before Pot Black could send their late arrival into the action Adam Bird who did his usual against one of his favourite two opponents as he got his name on the score sheet when a massive Kev Sherwood saw Bird flick his header direct into the net.

The final result was in truth a fair one but had Norton had our chances in the first 45, they would of been out of site by the break, so the positive is we are, creating opportunities and with a more readily available squad, increased focus and drive next season we have not got much ground to gain.

Goals- Adam Bird

G.H.Windows M.O.M- Mark Lansdale, despite an excellent first half from his brother-in-law Simon Durrant running him close, Lansy was confident and foot sure throughout as he failed to lose a header all match, and his general reading of the game a credit to his ability.