The wait is over, the season opener, a new set of team mates and finally a game to play after the winter break. We've got an excellent team with Ronaldo, Ronnie, Elliot, Ali, Josh, Marco amongst the players along with Martin, David and the new boy Ron. George the goal machine is the boss.
Martin did the decent thing and signed up as a part time keeper which is great since our new team doesn't have a full time keeper. Both Martin and Elliot are supposedly our keepers for the season but in reality everyone will pitch in. Still it's great that Martin signed up, a real team player and we're grateful. Except he didn't play!. He was off skiing for the weekend but since I'm doing the same next week I can't make too big a deal about it.
I figured I'd get my shift out the way smartish so I stepped up to go between the sticks for the second half. That being the case there was no way I was starting in defense for this game. Right half beckoned mainly because Ali nabbed the left. The game started and from the off Ronnie and Jonathon were winning everything in midfield and sending a few balls out wide which meant Ali and I were getting a good few runs in down the flanks. Having Ali on the team is great because I've played against him a few times and he's a tough nut to crack. Got a bit pace and skill about him. A rare but lethal combination in our league.
We got our first goal through Ronnie but their keeper was doing a great job of stopping our shots. I hate to say it but Ronnie and Martin in the middle of the park will be an excellent combination. Too bad he's one of our goalies though.
About two thirds through the half Ronnie sent through a great ball for me to run on to which I hit first time across the 6 yard line. Ronaldo arrived to stick the ball in the back of the net and it was 2 - 0. High fives and oles breaking out everywhere. Skill, pace, vision, power and execution. Not bad for a bunch of hacks. Cruising after 30 minutes I'm thinking I've got a chance myself here. All that positive thinking and incisive passing meant they duly scored. We deserved it since a wee bit of show boating had crept in with back heels and delicate flicks being spotted inappropriately.
Believe me a one goal buffer going into the second half is not enough with me keeping goal.
Their first goal was down to some sloppy defending on our part but their second was lame. They got a corner after an over hit pass hit Josh and went out for a corner. I scrambled but couldn't stop it going out. From the corner the ball sailed past the back post and, after some school kid, very junior school kid, like swinging of legs got jammed between Ronaldo and the post. They're screaming for a goal, I'm trying to find the ball the ref's not doing anything and then the ball emerges, kinda rolls along the line eventually crossing it after even more flailing of limbs. 'Now it's a goal' says the ref helpfully after blowing his whistle. 2 - 2 and we've had most of the play in the second half including Ronaldo missing an open goal. He wants the number 9 shirt but we think number 3 is probably more appropriate.
With a couple of minutes to go one of their attackers gets played through into the penalty area. Rather than wait for the shot to come in I decide to charge out of goal. Some technical stuff about narrowing the angle etc wouldn't go amiss I'm sure but all I'm thinking about is that I've got a shot of getting to the ball. The attacker is in full flight and we meet at time and place approximately where the ball is. Not being a keeper I don't naturally go for the ball with my hands so I kinda slide in trying to clear the ball. One big messy heap later with the attacker and I dusting ourselves off, the ball has ricocheted towards the corner and they're screaming for a penalty. It was a 50/50 ball and I went for the ball. Since I wasn't even thinking there was a possibility of a penalty I never looked at the ref which is the first sign of guilt in my books. Instead I jumped up, with a sore ankle mind, and made sure the ball was cleared. Apparently it looked, from the sidelines, like I took the guy out but he apologized so I figure it was all fair. Ron said he couldn't believe that I went for the ball and he was surprised to see me going to ground. Fair point since normally the only time I hit the dirt is when I trip over my laces.
Ron, you'll be pleased to know paced himself much better in this game on account that his legs were still sore from last weekend. He did a good job at left back and reckons come February he'll throwing his body into the fray.
Let's see, had a half decent shot (and meant it), bombed down the line a few times, got some crosses in, got an assist, let in a lame goal, saved a goal and got away with a potential penalty shout. Not a bad days work in fact that is about a seasons worth for me. What a great start. Off to a non losing start - the streak starts here!
Martin did the decent thing and signed up as a part time keeper which is great since our new team doesn't have a full time keeper. Both Martin and Elliot are supposedly our keepers for the season but in reality everyone will pitch in. Still it's great that Martin signed up, a real team player and we're grateful. Except he didn't play!. He was off skiing for the weekend but since I'm doing the same next week I can't make too big a deal about it.
I figured I'd get my shift out the way smartish so I stepped up to go between the sticks for the second half. That being the case there was no way I was starting in defense for this game. Right half beckoned mainly because Ali nabbed the left. The game started and from the off Ronnie and Jonathon were winning everything in midfield and sending a few balls out wide which meant Ali and I were getting a good few runs in down the flanks. Having Ali on the team is great because I've played against him a few times and he's a tough nut to crack. Got a bit pace and skill about him. A rare but lethal combination in our league.
We got our first goal through Ronnie but their keeper was doing a great job of stopping our shots. I hate to say it but Ronnie and Martin in the middle of the park will be an excellent combination. Too bad he's one of our goalies though.
About two thirds through the half Ronnie sent through a great ball for me to run on to which I hit first time across the 6 yard line. Ronaldo arrived to stick the ball in the back of the net and it was 2 - 0. High fives and oles breaking out everywhere. Skill, pace, vision, power and execution. Not bad for a bunch of hacks. Cruising after 30 minutes I'm thinking I've got a chance myself here. All that positive thinking and incisive passing meant they duly scored. We deserved it since a wee bit of show boating had crept in with back heels and delicate flicks being spotted inappropriately.
Believe me a one goal buffer going into the second half is not enough with me keeping goal.
Their first goal was down to some sloppy defending on our part but their second was lame. They got a corner after an over hit pass hit Josh and went out for a corner. I scrambled but couldn't stop it going out. From the corner the ball sailed past the back post and, after some school kid, very junior school kid, like swinging of legs got jammed between Ronaldo and the post. They're screaming for a goal, I'm trying to find the ball the ref's not doing anything and then the ball emerges, kinda rolls along the line eventually crossing it after even more flailing of limbs. 'Now it's a goal' says the ref helpfully after blowing his whistle. 2 - 2 and we've had most of the play in the second half including Ronaldo missing an open goal. He wants the number 9 shirt but we think number 3 is probably more appropriate.
With a couple of minutes to go one of their attackers gets played through into the penalty area. Rather than wait for the shot to come in I decide to charge out of goal. Some technical stuff about narrowing the angle etc wouldn't go amiss I'm sure but all I'm thinking about is that I've got a shot of getting to the ball. The attacker is in full flight and we meet at time and place approximately where the ball is. Not being a keeper I don't naturally go for the ball with my hands so I kinda slide in trying to clear the ball. One big messy heap later with the attacker and I dusting ourselves off, the ball has ricocheted towards the corner and they're screaming for a penalty. It was a 50/50 ball and I went for the ball. Since I wasn't even thinking there was a possibility of a penalty I never looked at the ref which is the first sign of guilt in my books. Instead I jumped up, with a sore ankle mind, and made sure the ball was cleared. Apparently it looked, from the sidelines, like I took the guy out but he apologized so I figure it was all fair. Ron said he couldn't believe that I went for the ball and he was surprised to see me going to ground. Fair point since normally the only time I hit the dirt is when I trip over my laces.
Ron, you'll be pleased to know paced himself much better in this game on account that his legs were still sore from last weekend. He did a good job at left back and reckons come February he'll throwing his body into the fray.
Let's see, had a half decent shot (and meant it), bombed down the line a few times, got some crosses in, got an assist, let in a lame goal, saved a goal and got away with a potential penalty shout. Not a bad days work in fact that is about a seasons worth for me. What a great start. Off to a non losing start - the streak starts here!
Comments
We actually won 5-3, all thanks to my fine goalkeeping performance. Erm, and Jigz scoring a few goals.
The scoreline was more than a bit flattering, we have a few half decent players, but are certainly suffering from what The Big Book of Football Cliches calls "A lack of strength in depth".
You boys want a small wager on whose team has the best record at the end of the season? Loser buys breakfast on FA Cup final day? (or lunch and a couple of pints in the Rose and Crown after the end of season tournament if the FA Cup final looks like being crap).