Jokers 1 – 4 Fowlers

Team: Linter; Lynes, Vere, Gamson, Tanju; Milner, Fernandez-Corujedor, Hyde, Norry; Mandolini, Wilby.

Subs: C. Perez-Tejedor (on for Norry, 70). 2 random Spaniards (on for Fernandez-Corujedor and Mandolini, 60).

Scorer: Wilby

For the second time this season, the Jokers threw away a lead against arch-rivals the Fowlers in this crucial relegation tussle to leave themselves staring the drop in the face. Two bright moments livened up an otherwise desperate night: Wilby broke his goal drought to fire the Jokers into a lead, and Mandolini enlivened proceedings by sporting a karate kid style Nike bandanna. Yes, it really was that bad.

In a virtually chanceless first half it was that forward combination that broke the deadlock. Mandolini appeared, at least to the Fowlers defence, to be offside when he collected the ball and drove down the right before squaring for Wilby to sidefoot home from close range. Minutes later, a Milner header forced the keeper into an excellent save to his right.

Half-time saw the Jokers engaged in an in-depth tactical discussion, enlivened by the presence of Paul Seaton-Smith, here as a spectator following his snowboarding accident, but promising a return for the crucial run-in. The Fowlers elected for a different strategy, getting the referee to photograph them in their garish new lime green kit. We can only wonder at what Rijkaard and Mourinho would have made of this. Wonder too at the outcome, as the referee, in time honoured tradition, seemed blind for the rest of the match.

Nervertheless, their unorthodox break worked for the Fowlers as a second half rout began when their striker hit a shot which Linter could only block back to him, and which he duly dispatched. The second came shortly afterwards when a suspiciously foul-looking throw found his partner who turned Vere too easily and squared for the same player to tuck home his second. At this point the Jokers had their one real chance to get back into the match, but Hyde powered his header straight at the keeper. Both teams had goals ruled out before the Fowlers scored again. As the Jokers chased the game, gaps appeared and Tanju was left one-on-one with a Fowlers forward. Despite the suspicion of a foul, it was the forward who emerged with possession and put them 3-1 up. With the introduction of the random Spaniard substitutes, whose names were unknown (but probably long and bearing little relation to what would appear on their shirts) the disorganisation increased and Fowlers capitalised by scoring with a header from a set-piece to compound the Jokers's misery.

Although this defeat comes as a big blow to the Jokers's hopes of Division One survival, they still have their fate in their own hands. With two matches to play, they are two points behind GPR who they will meet in the last game of the season. To set up a winner takes all end of season finale, the Jokers must match or better GPR’s result in their penultimate match. Since this is against high-flying Press Association (4^th in the table, but with games in hand), this will be difficult, but GPR also have a tricky match against 2^nd place Golden Boots. If both Jokers and GPR win  - or more likely, both lose - then a win against GPR would then ensure survival. It is indeed a marathon, not a sprint (which given the Jokers’s lack of pace comes as something of a relief), but if ever the was a time to up the pace, it is now.