Continuing the fine tradition established the previous year at York, the attendees at Steel MIST were once again split into teams of NORTH, SOUTH, EAST and WEST to compete for the highest prize in the STP field ....the MIST CUP!!! Although the number of participants was increased to 6-a-side to cope with the rigours of a larger playing area, the format was otherwise the same - two semi-finals, a third place play-off and then the final.
The first match was between NORTH (Sheffield and Imperial) and SOUTH (APL/UCL and Imperial) The game proved a high scoring encounter, as both teams struggled to cover gaps in defence. The NORTH team booked their place in the final with a 4-2 win despite SOUTH goals from Eoghan Griffin and George Millward. Suspicion from the SOUTH that 'ringers' were included for the NORTH team were hastily dismissed.
The second match between EAST (BAS, MSSL, Southampton, Imperial) and WEST (York, Aberystwyth, Imperial, Soton, BAS) proved a tighter game with chances on goal few and far between. Despite the intriguing combination of Betty Lanchester and Alan Rodger playing one half each for the WEST team, neither side could break the deadlock. Pressure began to play a part as the penalty shoot-out got under way, the WEST team just holding their nerve for a 4-2 win.
The play-off for third place proved a more one-sided affair as a 3-0 EAST victory meant the SOUTH team were left to collect the 'wooden spoon'. An early goal from Tim Stubbs calmed the EAST team's nerves, and further goals from Gary Abel, and Matt Taylor proved enough to seal the victory and leave them thinking of what might have been...
The final between WEST and NORTH proved a dour encounter, with few chances, and little open play. Shots on goal, when they did occur, proved more threatening to the numerous spectators than the goalkeepers, although the NORTH team did hit the crossbar in the first half. At the end of the game, another penalty shoot-out took place as the tension approached feverpitch! Proving himself an able deputy for the absent Mark Lester in the WEST goal, Matt Owens came to the rescue with some audacious goalkeeping. In the end it was left to Alan Rodger to slot away the winning penalty as WEST retained the MIST cup in thrilling fashion with a 3-2 win.
For the second year the MIST cup was presented to the winning WEST team at the conference dinner, and they will be hoping to continue their domination at Leicester MIST in 2003.
NORTH :Ian Bates (Shef), Miguel Homem (Shef), Istvan Ballai (Shef), Hugo Alleyne (Shef), Jonny Gloag (Imperial), Carlos Silva (Shef)
SOUTH : Eoghan Griffin (APL/UCL), George Millward (APL/UCL), Tracy Moffat (APL/UCL), Alan Aylward (APL/UCL), Adam Rees (Imperial), Alison Dobbin (APL/UCL).
EAST : Mervyn Freeman (BAS), Gary Abel (BAS), Gareth Chisam (BAS), Matt Taylor (MSSL), Steve Morley (Soton), Tim Stubbs (Imperial).
WEST : Ian Mann (York), Mick Denton (Aberystwyth), Matthew Owens (Imperial), Jon Eastwood (Imperial), Simon Foster (Soton), Betty Lanchester (Soton), Alan Rodger (BAS).