SO NOW WE'VE GOT SOME SILVERWARE
Mel Melis reports on the 1999 Worldnet warm-up

Considering Market Road is our 'home' pitch, and we are used to the surface and the location, we felt this could be our tournament. Added to the fact there was a squad of 18 players to choose from, it allowed us some rotation if things got too hot for the old gits later in the day.

In the absence of Pete Northcott, Sav Melis was skipper for the day. Sav, nearly 41, remembers playing at Market Road when he was 17 in 1975. Probably before any of the Crewe team were born! The rest of the Cybury defence were spring chickens in comparison: goalie Jack Tilbury, 30; full back / manager Mark King, 34; left back Keith Vince, 31; and centre back Bryan Richmond, 38. This was the key area, if we could keep the old boys in the middle well oiled and free of aches, we might have a chance, but the sun takes its toll on such veterans... hence the copious amounts of bananas and isotonic drinks on show. As it turned out, the old fellas did us proud at the back throughout the tournament. A goal wasn't conceded until the final... and what a final!

ARSENAL 1 - 0 CELTIC

A game of few chances, lots of huff and puff and some skill from the Celtic lads. The Gooners won 1-0 though. It was going to be a mistake that would win this one, as even though the build up was good, the forward lines were struggling to make an impact. Luckily for us, the mistake came from Celtic, a miscontrolled pass let in Usen Udoh who tucked away the winner. We felt a bit fortunate after this game, but three points were in the bag and the pressure had subsided a little.

ARSENAL 2 - 0 READING

The first bit of squad rotation paid instant dividends. Fullman - who had replaced Richmond - rose like a salmon to head home an early opener from a McCarthy cross. It was his first goal for 4 years! And he was happy, I think! Jack Tilbury then made a brilliant save low down to his right to keep us ahead. In the second half, Martyn Sims picked up a clearance near the half way line, and with the ball running away from him the whole way, he found himself 10 yards from goal with only the goalie to beat: he had to stretch, but he pushed it past the keeper to make it 2-0.

ARSENAL 1 - 0 SPURS

McCarthy was provider again in this game, the ball broke to him down the right, and his cross was somehow headed in by the airborne Udoh. A great finish into the top corner. The game could have been over before half time, Darren Skeels putting Mel Melis clean through. By his own admission, Mel isn't the paciest of characters, and was shocked to get the opportunity, but being stranded on his weaker right foot, he failed to get much power behind the shot. The second half saw our ginger kid Danny Peters get unnesessarily involved with the thin, hard-looking Spurs centre back. He got booked for his troubles.

ARSENAL 1 - 0 CREWE ALEXANDRA

Having already qualified, we took an opportunity to rest a few of our players - eight changes were made from the previous game, and fearing the worst, we somehow came through with another win. The unfortunate John Gibney got a knock which saw his tournament brought to an end, and he was replaced with Darren Skeels. Crewe were considerably quicker, but we battled well and Danny Peters opened his account for the tournament with a low finish from a long ball.

SEMI FINAL
ARSENAL 1 - 0 CHARLTON

Charlton caught us cold. They fought all the way, and it looked like penalties were on the cards. It seemed the Charlton defence was unbreachable. However, an incident late in the second half where Usen Udoh was fouled on the edge of the box changed the game. Suitibly wound up, Udoh volleyed in the winner direct from a McCarthy corner, sparking much merriment amoungst the Gooner team. Charlton wished us luck for the final, which was most gentlemanly after such a tough game.

FINAL
ARSENAL 3 - 2 CELTIC

We were told of the exhibition football Celtic had played in the semi vs Watford, and were expecting another hard match. They had more individual skill than us - that much was evident, the question was: were we organised enough to cope with it? Two changes were made to the starting line up - the ever-unpredictable Danny Peters replacing the crafted link-play of Darren Skeels up front, and the subtle touches and long passing of Mark Williams replacing the more defensive Mel Melis on the left side of midfield. The early exchanges were dominated by the Celts - culminating in two well worked goals. The first broke to their excellent forward on the edge of the area who gave Jack no chance by whacking it into the top corner. The second was from the same fella again I think, who rounded the keeper and from an impossible angle rolled it inside the far post - another deadly finish.

I thought it was all over at this point, and disappointed though I was, I felt there would be no shame in losing to Celtic, who conducted themselves as a mailing list team should - taking it seriously on the pitch, playing great football, but having a laugh off it. But obviously I had little faith, Kev McCarthy, who had supplied the passes all day, converted one for himself, a right foot top corner 25 yarder. Suddenly, there was hope. Within 3 minutes, we were winning. First of all Danny Peters volleyed in (another) McCarthy corner. Then, Peters stooped to head in the winner, looping up and over the keeper. Another fabulous Gooner comeback. The second half saw a lot of possesion for Celtic but the experience of the defence kept the goal safe.