SAL - 8th November 2003

I now know why things are looking good for the Cars 1st team.  I now know why the team has gelled, the youth policy (J.Phillips and A.Taylor) are playing well and Carshalton have amassed a huge 5 points!  Matthew Wigham is a loving father.  Yes I saw it with my own eyes.  He is taken the team and treated the squad as his own - arhhhhh!!! 

Monday evening I pop round the Wighams (a bit nervous, my first visit, just dropping something off).  There in front of the football at 8pm is Matt Wigham.  He tells me he has eaten, bathed and is sitting in his tasteful dressing gown, old man's M&S slippers, pipe and baby on lap.  What a sight!  Content with Life!  This has to be why he is playing like a 25 year old pro!!! 

THE GAME - Garry Baker is late (surprise) also has a shocker of a first half (set up BB Eagles' centre midfielder with a well timed pass for their opener) - well played Baker.  Apart from that, both teams struggled to play football although creating reasonable chances to score.  Second half was different - in the first 15 minutes BB  Eagles played well forcing Backers into 2 or 3 quality saves.  Then the game opened up and we dominated and should have scored more than the one Jon Phillips goal that chipped the keeper from the 18 yard box.  I should have scored but hit post from a Si Clare header.  Simon also had a couple of close volleys.  Jon managed to find space in the box more than once and Adam Taylor looked threatening throughout (unlucky with attempt in first half ).

Matt "pipe & slippers" Wigham MOM.  Anyway 1-1, not a disaster!  Crowd (10+, and my old man) were entertained in second half and more importantly there was an excellent atmosphere in the bar after the game.  A few of us hit The Plough then the curry house. Youngsters no doubt got in a fight and / or pulled an old fat rotter in Lloyds Bar!

Andy Cook