[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 15:11:39 07/26/09
Since 2005 Sassco.co.uk have always attempted to play at least one or two higher standard opponents during pre-season. Northern League Shildon AFC were the first and have inflicted heavy defeats on the team in 2005, 2007 and 2008. This time it was West Auckland Town FC's turn.
This was the same famous West Auckland team who were due to travel to Turin to play against Juventus in an anniversary game celebrating their predecessors victory in the first ever "World Cup" back in 1909: The Thomas Lipton Trophy.
For Sassco, it was all about watching, learning and chasing shadows. However, the real opponent was the in-fighting. The game acted as a transition for William Harper to take over coaching duties from Davinder Sangha. Sangha decided to keep the line up as it was in the previous 12-4 win over Rutherford DFC, and then it would be over to the esteemed Mr. Harper. This controversially meant that Player of the Season, Gareth Stoker, was benched. He decided to not participate, but Sangha and Harper stuck to their guns. Stoker eventually got kitted and made an appearance in the second half, but one of his first actions was to give away a penalty.
By this time, Sassco were 5-0 down, but a reasonably respectable 8-0 was the final score, with goalkeeper, David Simpson, being the main reason why West Auckland's tally was not higher.
