Conservative MPs 2-2 Press Lobby
Sunday 3 October 2010
Midlands Police FC

After last week’s match in Manchester between the Labour MPs and the Press Lobby, it was the turn of the Tories this weekend as the Conservative MPs took on the same opposition in the Midlands.

It was a tight game too, with neither side being able to take the bragging rights ahead of the Conservative Party Conference this week in Birmingham.

And for the Conservative player-manager Dave Hart, it was a decent start to the week after twice having to come from behind to level things up.

"It was a good game and it should set things up nicely for the Conference now,” said the Conservative Campaign HQ worker.

"It's very keenly contested every year when we play it, just before the Conference starts.

"And it's a real chance to get bragging rights over them for the rest of the week.”

It didn’t look as though that would be the case to start with though, as David Cracknell scored an early opener to put the Press Lobby ahead.

The Conservatives didn’t have to wait long though, as a defensive lapse allowed Dr Phillip Lee MP a free run on goal and he made no mistake with a neat finish past the ‘keeper after 17 minutes.

Into the second half, and the Press restored their advantage in the 52nd minute when Dan Bentley of the Press Association finished cutely in the area after being picked out by a cross from the left.

But the politicians stormed back and got themselves level through a thumping header from Ed Timpson MP in the 66th minute and despite a few late flurries from the Press, that proved to be the last of the goal action.

“I’m happy with the result,” added Hart, to FATV.

“We’ve had some bad scorelines in the last few years, including a 10-1 defeat but we won 1-0 last year and we’re pleased with this result.”

There will be interviews with MPs Dr Phillip Lee, Ed Timpson and Karl McCartney on FATV over the next few days, so keep an eye out for them.