THIS top of the table clash was played on Hodge House pitch, which spoiled the football played and without a referee, Stork assistant manager Andrew Mashiter had to do the honours.

Prairie took the lead midway through the first half when the number 10 sneaked a header past the far post. The Storks equalised quickly when an Andrew Rushton flick header was converted by Sam Marshall.

The Storks piled the pressure on during the second half with full-backs Andrew Muldoon and Tim Booth supplying some quality balls down the line and to the strikers.

Storks went 2-1 up when Sam Marshall put the finishing touch to a Rushton cross. Prairie equalised after a period of pressure. The breakthrough goal came from the youthful Steve Neary, already hitting the bar from a free kick, went one better, placing the ball past the keeper. With the defence wide open Storks sealed an excellent victory when a Marshall run gave fellow striker Neil Snape a well-taken goal.

Martin Noone, Storks manager was delighted with the result and the team for their commitment. Man of the match was Storks skipper Andrew Muldoon.

Storks: F Snape, Muldoon, Holt, Scott, Booth, Rushton, Neary, Uttley, Birch, N Snape, Marshall. Subs (not used): R Bennett, A Bennett, Porter, Howarth (gk).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.