SAL - 1st November 2003

3 pts at last!  Still not bottom of league!  Played every team that exists off junctions 24/35 of M25 and only 4pts off midish table!  Things are looking up.  On Friday morning I had my normal chat with Wiggy that goes a little like......we are down to 10 players with the possibility of losing 1 more.  Who shall we ring first to piss off!  Matt as usual suggests Tony Edwards will have at least 15 players up his sleeve, so we start there. 

Anyway we travelled with two athletes making their debut - well one athlete who smokes and drinks heavily the night before and after matches, and a 19 year old who is banned from Lloyds Bar (Croydon pub to you oldies) and a real athlete, also 19.  You work it out - choose between Alex.Corner, Adam Taylor and Jonathan Philips.  We also had James Chambers back in defence and the legendary Simon Clare making a well timed appearance.  Everyone else has played consistently badly most of the time, so I can't be bothered to list them. 

The Game - they were poor, we were good.  Shaun Swan scored two goals from corners.  He was blessed with some excellent deliver, wouldn't you agree Si?  The third was added by Jonathan Phillips with 5 minutes to go after a spell of concerted pressure and plenty of chances.  Jonathan Phillips and Adam Taylor were both lively and an excellent option wide - well done lads!  Wiggy and I were similar to Gerrard and Scholes and the Backers and his defence were solid and good on the ball.  All in all everyone played well and the football was of a high quality.  3pts!!!!!!!!!  Competition for places.  Can (should) we change a winning team?

P.S. Nice header for the opposition's goal Swanny!

Andy Cook

And now the report of a man who has scored his first goals for a decade...

Big Man makes a defensive howler and we concede a goal......0-1 down at half time.  The second half begins with the Big Man bagging a toe poke from a whipped in corner.  5 minutes later, 16½ stone rises to meet another whipped corner; the ball hits the back of the net and is followed shortly after by most of the oppo's defence, who get bundled into the back of the net from the force of the Big Man's frame flying through the air.  Johnny Phillips wraps things up with a few minutes left in the match.   A good performance.  The kids did well.  Backers moaned (even more than usual).  We fully deserved the points.  Oh, and I'm joint top scorer in the first team!  How do you like them apples!

Shaun "Big Man" Swan