Norwich City Vs London Hibs, King George’s Park, Southfield’s

Date: 30 January 2000


John Leslie (9)


Leon Ashford (8.5) Mark Grice (9) Jim McPherson (9) Dave Lawlor (8.5)

Russell Steer (8.5) Adam Pomoro(9.5) Graeme Thompson(8.5) Neil Hinty(8.5)

Gerry Saviour (9.5) Paul Goodlad (9)

Substitutes
Lee Steer (Paul Goodlad) (8.5)
Al Harper (Dave Lawlor) (8.5)

So two call offs, as I arrive at the game, a delay to Lee Steer and Dave Lawlor donning the jersey in a Hibs version of Mr Magoo. So a big thanks to Jason Steer and Tony Lawlor for potentially jeopardising our pressure on the HUNS.

The game was on another plough field of a pitch, the same one we drew with Man U on, from such inauspicious beginnings then unfolded a wonderful team performance.

The first goal saw the unstoppable “showbiz” dodge through a forest of players to rifle past their despairing keeper. So after 20 minutes we’re 1-0 up. This Norwich team were being rent asunder by our makeshift outfit. With Adam really bossing in Midfield, we were giving them all kinds of trouble, this resulted in a second goal. There was some wonderful linking between the Goodlad up front and old Showbiz himself. PG jinked hither and thither, losing the Norwich defence and himself in an alcohol inspired frenzied run, culminating in a rip-roaring snorter of a shot 2-0 to the HIBEE boys.

And so at half time we were 2-0, nothing to report from the back, other than the usual degree of excellence, breaking the opposition’s spirit, creating options going forward. With the AB causing havoc from his long range throw ins. 

The second half was genius at work, they were nowhere in particular. All frantic runs, but no real penetration. Then a moment of footballing genius. Where the PLATONIC IDEAL became reality, there was a perfect pass from Lee Steer of geometric genius, this was directed in a beautiful arc across pitch unsighted to Captain Showbiz, he then continued the majesty of the move with a deft flick on to the Italian Stallion, he then rifled it home on the full volley, to make it a glorious 3-0.

Match View:

We broke Norwich’s heart in this game, like the HUNS before them, we showed too much respect for them in the Cup, yet the league showed the same result - 3-0.

I am serious despite my florid prose about the beauty of that goal. It was sheer class.

Thanks Guys.

Welcome debuts for much travelled Al Harper and a teasing debut for Graeme Thompson, who had more chances to score than a Millionaire in a brothel that Jim knows. Thanks also to Paul Goodlad for making London Hibs a high enough priority to play for us after his own Stag Night, as well as score a goal.
 
Man of the match award: Got to be Gerry Vavasour, what a find. He made two and scored one, you can’t ask for better than that.