5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL 2005
Sponsored by Michael Page

As thousands of brave athletes prepared to participate in one of the world's most gruelling road races, 60 or so hung-over 'excuses for men' prepared to rage war in the annual BADCASS 5-a-side football tournament, kindly sponsored by Michael Page Finance.

In a draw that was marred by a betting scandal last years finalists, PwC 'A' and KPMG were drawn in a group that also included Deloitte 'A', BBP and Michael Page. In the other group newcomers BNG were drawn alongside Grant Thornton, Goldwyns, and the 'B' teams of PwC and Deloitte.

Pre-tournament favourites PwC started the tournament comfortably with 9 goals in two games without conceding a goal. Defending champions KPMG didn't start quite as convincingly, but managed to grind out two 1-0 victories over a promising Deloitte 'A' team and Michael Page, who found any sort of exercise impossible after disposing of 60 pints of Stella, 6 Big Macs, 6 Big Tastys, 6 quarter pounders (with cheese) and a new healthy McGreasy salad.

After an intriguing tussle between Sam Hinchliffe (PwC) and Oli Downes (KPMG) the group game between last years finalists ended in a 1-1 draw.

Despite having Gavin 'Chopper Harris' Aspden in their team, (whose tackling made Robbie Savage look like an angel) BPP found the going hard in a tough group and failed to make much of an impact. Deloitte 'A' nearly sneaked into the semis after a battling 1-1 draw with PwC

In group B Goldwyns started brightly with notable victories over PwC 'B' and Deloitte 'B', notching up 12 goals with just two against. BNG started with an impressive win over a solid Grant Thornton team, both teams eventually qualifying for the semi-finals.
Goldwyns' early charge fizzled out after two defeats on the bounce and they missed out on a place in the final four.

One of the tournament's best games was between the 'B' teams of Deloitte and PwC. The game included two own goals, a sublime finish after a 'mazy' run by Jim 'Pinhead' Norcott, and some friendly banter between the teams' supporters. Deloitte's players failed to make an impact in the tournament, despite adopting a 'professional' attitude (as used by England in recent tournaments), of no alcohol or hanky-panky the night before.

The semi finals were both tight affairs, with BNG goalkeeper in outstanding form against PwC. Unfortunately he was unable to save everything, and PwC progressed to the final with a hard fought 2-1 victory. Grant Thornton battled well against KPMG in the second semi final, but the determined tackling and inspirational finishing of the reigning champions ensured a repeat of last year's final.

After three consecutive 1-1 draws in the past two years the tension mounted as the two old adversaries prepared for battle once more. As the rain began to fall and hangovers started to set in, both teams were fired up for an enthralling final. PwC started well, and took an early lead from a 20 yard screamer by Jez Srokosz, who had completed his loan switch from PwC Warsaw only hours before the tournament began. KPMG fought back well, and after a misunderstanding between defender Brian Lloyd-Jones and keeper Andy Fellows, Dave Wood pounced to poke a deserved equaliser.

The stalemate continued into golden-goal extra-time, when both sides saw limited chances. Two of these fell to KPMG's Oli Downes, who brought out some fine saves from the PwC keeper. The tournament's top goal scorer Si Constant had few chances to claim a victory, as the KPMG defence remained solid. For the second year running the only way to separate these two teams was from the dreaded penalty spot.

PwC won the toss, and decided to go first in the sudden death penalty shoot-out. Si Constant put the pressure on KPMG by burying the first penalty into the bottom corner. Oli Downes replied with an emphatic finish, sending Fellows the wrong way. Sam Hincliffe stepped up and just managed to sneak the ball under the KPMG keeper. The pressure was on Lee May to keep KPMG in the tournament, but Andy Fellows was the hero of the day with a superb save, tipping the ball away from the top corner and onto the bar!
The KPMG players were so gutted that they left without receiving their runner-up prizes, and PwC began a truly deserved celebration!

Thanks must go to the guys at Pro-Fives for the efficient organisation of the event, and also to Nick Bentley at Michael Page for sponsoring the event

click on photos to enlarge