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It's Show Time

The Phil and James express train rolled into town this morning which could only mean one thing. The seasonal bragging rights were up for grabs. This time however the stakes were higher - all expenses paid slap up breakfast at a venue of the winners choosing on FA Cup final weekend.

The 8 am kickoff left us short of players so I volunteered to do a shift in goal for the first half. Phil, sensing a potential chink in our armour, had a crack within the first few minutes. "Test the keeper early" he reckons. What a test - trotting behind the goal to retrieve the ball. Almost pulled a hammy going for that one. They got off to a flyer to be fair but we slowly got organized as people arrived and we started to get some shape. Ronnie was a rock at the back and Elliot came in bolster the back line. Phil and Jinksy were getting plenty of chances but they were being mopped up reasonably well.

A comical goal, scored by Ali, near the end of the first half put us up 1 - 0 and what with stopping some point blank shots we were feeling pretty good about things. At the end of second half I got our second which left most people on the field dumbfounded. The keeper moved like a stunned mullet because, like everyone else, he was waiting for the cross to the back post. Anyone on the sideline watching my shot fly in at the apex of the near post and the crossbar would have been mightily impressed with the precision if they assumed that's what I intended. I mentioned to James that I was trying to cross and he pointed out that everyone knew that. Ego in check. In my defence I'm claiming that I'm still fine tuning the new boots. Pere Ubu put it well when they said "I've got a misdirection". But what a sweet strike - the cleanest miss hit I've ever done.

Sandwiched between our two goals unfortunately were 4 or 5 of theres including a near post rocket that Phil unleashed. Credit where credit is due - they shredded us in the second half and apart from 5 minutes of sustained pressure at the end of the game we really couldn't do anything with the ball. Martin reckons it was a tactical masterstroke having James sweep for them but I figured he was just too lazy to go bombing forward. Martin was well mouthy which of course is the prerogative of the Sunday hacker. I reckon he was frustrated - born from either Saturday night or team mates not making the runs and passes he wanted. He's the man so I reckon he was sorted on Saturday night. Our fault then.

So where are we going for the greasy fry up boys?

Comments

Phil Newton said…
I have to admit it wasn't looking good for us as we took the field for the second half. Already 1-0 down and with a goalkeeping change meaning any shot you guys took in the 2nd half just had to be on target and it had a better than evens chance of going in.

Even after we'd clawed our way up to 3-1 it was by no means a done thing, especially when Ronnie The Rock took his all action approach a little further up the pitch.

Not that any goalkeeper could have stopped your goal Kim, that was a sure contender for Mishit of the Year.

I look forward to a plate of eggs and a cup of tea as we watch Watford lift the cup.

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