11 February 2007

Scorers: Kane Joseph 2, Ryan Hine

We decided on a 08:30 met as we were travelling the farthest we have been required to so far this season, Wandsworth. All four cars got there at the same time expertly led by Lee.....

What a game of football it had everything, SKILL, GRIT, DETERMINATION, FLAIR, RESILIENCE and just that little splatter of luck that all good teams need... I doubt if we have ever played better than we did in the first half or dug in as much as we needed to in the second half. We must not forget this is the first time the boys have had to play a game of this duration and intensity in their short foot balling lives and the way every single on of them performed was amazing...

We have to remember we were playing a very good team sitting pretty at the top of the “C” Division.

“Probably lose 7-1 dad”, confident words from the Managers son about half hour before we set of. “Probably lose 8-3” half time wisdom from the other managers son!!

Now perhaps the boys will start believing us all when we tell them how good they are! Both teams played excellent football in the first half but in my opinion we were worthy of our 3-1 half time lead. All 3 of our goals were created by playing football. Kane J got the first 2 and Ryan the 3rd. The half time talk was “more of the same” please and plenty of praise for the first half efforts...

Bit different in the second half! I had to check on a couple of occasions whether they had smuggled and extra player or two onto the pitch due to the amount of pressure we were under!

Five minutes into the second half Wandle pulled one a goal back, the Wandle website has given the goal to one of their players which saves me from mentioning the words “own Goal” and “Sam G!!” oops did I mention it?

Whereas our midfielders and striker excelled in the first half the second half was down to gritty, dogged determination from our 2 defenders (with help from the midfielders) Luke and Sam and some very special goalkeeping from our man between the sticks Stanley. The plaudits from both set of parents for his performance were justified. After soaking up lots of pressure we decided to attack their corners with our heads and we looked much more comfortable by doing this.

We held on for what seemed an eternity! Corner after corner, attack after attack but at they end of the game we had done enough. I’m sure all the parents were as proud of their boys as I was. Little beats seeing the smile on their faces after wins like that.

After a performance like that surely I can’t moan! Alright I won’t this week.

We must not forget that we haven’t won anything yet we must keep up this spirit week in week out until the end of the season.

Man of the match as voted for by the parents – Stanley Hill (excellent effort).

Last mention to Vaughan Oliver and his team for being the perfect hosts. Thank you.