On a sunny sports park, today's opponent was Sparta, the number two in the league. Winning would mean joining the top and still a (very) small chance at the title. In the first half it was a game of ups and downs in which PSV had an optical (what a great word) field advantage but did not create any big chances. This was certainly due to the far too low pace of the ball. Despite this our strikers were found but the finishing touch was not there. Just before half time Nigel was on his post to stop a dangerous ball and also at a free kick he plucked the ball firmly out of the corner as if he wanted to say: "Come on, I can't be passed today". The break began with a score of 0 - 0.

After the break it was basically the same picture. Not good or bad from both sides, more exciting. Nigel was again at his post on shots from distance and Anthony, from the turn, and Peter, from a free kick, did not have luck on their side today. As the match drew to a close it became clear that both teams were willing to settle for a point and saw the championship, as far as we could see, drift further and further away. All ingredients for a nice game of football were present today but did not materialize and this certainly due to the quality of the main field, which would have been the envy of Thialf. At various times it seemed as if the players stumbled over the blocks and so handed the ball back in. This was the case from both sides. The positive of today was that we did not lose for the ninth time in a row in the league.

Next week out to picturesque Volendam to show our skills on the Saturday off.