ASB got their league season back on track with a 3-0 victory over the

Preston side that pipped them to the title last season. This was a long awaited fixture and ASB, disappointed that it didn't happen last season when the two were so close,

were keen to do well.

For the Lilywhites, playing in an unusual red strip, the day began with a 4am meet for the

long drive south. Nevertheless they brought a strong 16-man squad, which only lacked

their leading goalscorer from last season. ASB fielded their largest squad of the season. Twenty hopefuls began the warm up, leaving manager Inga, who had managed to avoid the temptation of living the rest of his days rearing sheep in New Zealand, with a real

selection headache.

After a one-sided exchange of pennants, the Rs lined up as follows. Rob began in goal

behind a back four of Tim, Orv, Tina and Slouch. The midfield had an unusual look to it

with Brian parterned by debutant Kendrick in the middle, and Eddie and JJ on the flanks.

Nick Nick partnered Sharkey up front.

The game looked to be high quality affair from the outset with both teams

trying to play good football amid high intensity levels. The first couple of chances fell

to ASB but Sharkey was having a game Dexter Blackstock could well emphasise with. First, a ball over the top caught the Preston defence square but with the keeper coming off his line the striker could only watch as his effort finished the wrong side of the post.

Next a corner from Eddie missed out everyone and Sharkey stooped to header

goalwards, but didn't connect properly and the ball was cleared. Preston still looked

dangerous with two tricky wingers providing an obvious threat. The Rs defence was having an imperious game, however, with the fullbacks Tim and Slouch nullifying any attack on the flanks and the centre back pairing of Orv and Tina winning the battle of anything central. What influence Tina's new barnet had is unclear, but he was back to flying squirrel best.

The breakthrough came when Nick Nick's shot was deflected into the net: 1-0 to the

Superhoops. It was just reward for Nick Nick who was a constant thorn in Preston's side.

Preston upped their game and their right winger began to threaten but there was little Rob

had to do in the R's goal. He turned one shot around the post and commanded his area with an authority that everyone at ASB would like to see more of.

The Rs continued to press for a second but couldn't find a way through and went into the

break one nil to the good. The halftime teamtalk was simple – more of the same – and an unchanged 11 went out in search of that elusive second goal.

The second half began with the Rs midfield taking control of the game. Kendrick was

having an excellent debut – playing the simple ball with regularity and talking to the

players around him. Eddie was having a quiet game by his own standards, but the vodka and a lack of sleep slowly began to wear off as the half progressed.

It was JJ who seized the game by the scruff of the neck. Time and again he ran with pace at the Preston defence and twice got his reward. First, some neat interplay on the edge of the Preston box ended when JJ, attempting to get on the end of Sharkey's reverse pass, was upended. The ref pointed to the spot and JJ dispatched the ball with ease: 2-0.

This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Preston and their number 17 in particular, got frustrated. Luckily for him, Eddie was on hand to sooth his furrowed brow. A couple of other lessons from Sharkey's Dexter Blackstock school of finishing followed before JJ killed the game off.

He set off on a run from midway through the Preston half and with the defence tiring beat

three defenders before clipping the ball into the net – a great goal: 3-0. A relieved Inga was then able to "do a Sven" and make numerous substitutions with eight players able to come and play their part. However, the score stayed the same and with Preston also making several changes, the game ended in a three nil victory for ASB. It was a thoroughly

deserved victory that leaves the team with a great chance of reaching the play offs and

challenging at the business end of the season.