Gould team-talk inspires victory

12 March 1995, Division 8 at RAF Wroughton

Swindon Ambulance 1 KMLC FC 2 (HT 1-0)

As manager, Stu was well-known for the naked team-talk before or after matches but it was a fully-clothed half-time lecture that was the game-changer in this one.

If the trip to Chilton Foliat and the village hall changing facilities last week was a bit different we ramped that up at Wroughton by having no changing rooms at all. This was a 'change in the car' job.

Whether that led to the Kylies' sluggish start is uncertain but they came in trailing by a single goal at the break. It was a fiery Stu who gave the half-time message that he couldn't believe we were losing to our opponents because "all they've got is a broken-nose fireman".

It's not certain if the team were inspired by that message or if it lightened the mood and lifted a weight off their shoulders but an improved second-half performance with goals from Swatridge and Merry delivered all the points to the away side.

Lunt
Carpenter, Woolford, Shurmer, Gunning
Smedley, Merry, Gould, Gratland
Swatridge, Kibble
Sub: Garratt

Scorers: Swatridge, Merry

MVP: Woolford, Shurmer, Smedley
Spoons: Woolford

Next match - 26 Mar 1995 v The Grapes at Penhill Sevenfields