The story in full:
At daybreak the i2i squad met at a very fresh York station for the journey to Barons Court Sports Ground in the shadow of Sloane Square Barracks. It wasn’t long before we realised there was a problem….all East Coast services were suspended due to a broken track south of York.
After a joint team photo taken by our own Shaun’ Paparazzi’ McKenna the game started at a great pace with John Perrin making an early impact leading to 2 early goals from Marco Gabbiadini. The MP’s soon responded with the goal of the game from Russell Brown MP who spectacularly volleyed past the otherwise immaculate i2i stopper, Tom Brownlow.
Further goals from Perrin and Jacob Gore after good work on the wing from Matthew Gore, plus a reply from the MP’s gave i2i a 4-2 half-time lead.
The second half, superbly refereed by ex-Premier League warbler, Dermot Gallagher, saw early pressure from i2i producing a goal from the Steve Braithwaite and Perrin. Matthew Gore then benefited from a goalkeeping error, which enabled a cross to find it’s way into the net. Some good play from The All Party team had Brownlow beaten but a raised flag cut short celebrations. With tired legs all-round, Gabbiadini rounded off a great team performance as he exchanged passes with James Gore to complete a hat trick making a final score of 8-2, but no disgrace to a very spirited Parliamentary squad.
Following the game we were warmly received at the Houses of Parliament Sports and Social Bar by Steve Hepburn MP, Clive Betts MP and Graham Jones MP where Marco Gabbiadini presented the ‘Inspire 2 Independence versus Al Party Parliamentary Football Club Trophy’ which will be kept in the Sports and Social Bar cabinets. This annual fixture will celebrate the‘i2i Football 5000’ pledge. We are on target to smash our promise to help 5000 people back to work utilising the motivational and confidence building powers of football by 2012. Steve Hepburn MP received the Trophy and wished us success in our efforts.
A great day was rounded off by a trouble free journey home!
