SAL - 20th September 2003

After playing Nottsborough home and away last season, I was very surprised to find out they had not gone up.  Not only that, following our 4 - 1 defeat by scummy E.B.O.G. the week before, travelling to possibly the best side in all three divisions could have led to a very depressing afternoon.  However a slightly more experienced side made the journey and were there bloody early.  Well done apart from Baker (a word of advice for Andy Burke...... Never rely on Baker, make your own way there, he's reliably late).  Consequently most of the team were ****** after our 1 hour warm-up. 

Although a little tired, we were ready to play football and thirty two seconds (Bennett timed it, sad git, get your boots on!) after the whistle went, Baker slotted a volley into the bottom left corner with his first touch. AND it was in the right end for once!  Baker, Nottsborough and the hardcore fans were as shocked as the rest of Baker's team mates.  1-0.  For the next 20 minutes we played the best football I have probably been involved in since moving from the mighty eighth team 2 years ago.  We had movement (Andy/Simon/Wiggy), pace (Andy/Simon), composure (its good to be back Keith Cave) thundering shots (Alex) and most of all good looks, which obviously the younger members of the team provided.  Does that include you???????? 

In all seriousness, we ALL played some outstanding f'ball and deserved the well struck pen (Wiggy) and the 2 - 1 score line at half time.  In fact we should have capitalised on more of the chances we created!  Unfortunately maybe due to the intense heat, maybe due to the fact we were unfit, maybe we ran ourselves into the ground first half, who knows, probably a combination of all three - we lost. 

We defended exceptionally well for half an hour (particularly Swanny, Cave and Baker who all had very good games regardless of the result).  Between us we just did not have the legs.  If we play anything near to our first half performance this season we should do well.  Hopefully everyone will make themselves available (come on Si/keith you know it makes sense), get fit and we can torment some teams this year.  

Just a particular thank you and well done to our goalkeeper Andrew who at 15yrs old played very well and pulled off a string of good saves in the second half to keep us in it (although cheer up it may never happen)  Costus back next week! Also promising second half display from young Michael Tilley leaves the old gits with selection nightmare.  Tilley or Tilley?, Tilley or Tilley? Watch your back Dave!

Captain Cook