15-2

It was a triumph for player power as the Sunburned Zebras ignored their manager's negative tactics and cast off the shackles to produce a scintillating performance.

After being held in check for so long by the Special One's gormless faith in zonal marking and defensive approach to the beautiful game, the Zebras poured forward against their opponents, unleashing wave after wave of attacks on the Multiple Scoregasm goal.

The result was a 15-2 triumph for the five players - Ricadisco, Latinaldo, Paildo, Reito and Vanhoino. Freemisco also played a part but it was largely restricted to giving away the second goal by his refusal to track back and mark his man. He did score a penalty but by that stage the hard work and flowing football of his teammates had done the damage.

There were heroes everywhere - especially at the start when Freemisco was left to watch proceedings unfold from the sideline.

Paildo produced some glorious touches in his shining white boots, footwear that lit up the Stopsley night far more effectively than the floodlights.

Latinaldo was superb, covering every balde of plastic as he ran around tirelessly in circles like the love child of Heather Mills and Jamies Carragher, eventually threatening to vanish up his own backside.

Reito was nerveless in front of goal, taking advantage of a number of opportunites that came his way and beating the keeper with clinical ease.

Vanhoino excelled after missing an early penalty - a miss that brought loud condemnation from his own manager. Vanhoino grew in stature as the game progressed, threading killer passes through to Reito and taking on the keeper when the opportunity allowed. He also did a fine job at the back, covering runners and marshalling the back line until Freemisco betrayed him with his wanton lack of effort.

Despite Freemisco's casual approach to defending he was frequently bailed out by a stunning display in goal from Ricadisco. The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the first half as the Zebras built an 8-0 lead and was only beaten due to a dubious piece of refereeing and Freemisco's dawdling defending.

Ultimately a triumph for the players - apart from Freemisco who seemed to be hobbling around due to his new boots and still has yet to contribute much in a positive sense to any onfield performance. There's always next week....