Carshalton hoped to finish the year on a high note, and after the good home win (2-1 v EBOG) a week previously, confidence was high, especially after the home game v BB Eagles (2-2) recently, an away win certainly was a possibility.  A more or less unchanged side travelled, and eventually made it to Acton to face BB Eagles on what was possibly the muddiest pitch ever seen by most of the team, and after a pitch inspection both the two skippers (including Martin 'orange y-fronts' Head) and the referee decided to go ahead and play. 

Carshalton started brightly, playing over rather than through the sea of mud running from goalmouth to goalmouth, but even so carving out several very good chances.  It was one of these attacks which led to the opening goal, unfortunately for the boys in green it was BB Eagles who opened the scoring with a defensive slip-up allowing a BB striker a clear goal-scoring opportunity which was taken.  Carshalton heads stayed up though, and tried again and again to break the Eagles down, but either the final ball or finish was lacking.  One such attack saw Carshalton spring from a defensive position in their own 18 yard box away to the left wing with John Laming, then down the line to James Hirst, who with Martin (did you find the two alternative pants in your bag?) Head screaming for the ball (and charging through the middle like a one man stampede) squared a perfect ball to Runs like Buffalo.  Then, every green shirted player thought he was going to spank it top corner Shearer-esque, but no!  Martin swung his right peg back and completely missed the ball leaving most of the players watching in fits of laughter! 

BB Eagles, after good Carshalton attacking play down by their left back won the ball and again countered and scored with what could have possibly been their second shot on goal on around the 30 minute mark.  Carshalton again tried to create a deserved first goal, and with 5 minutes or so to go in the first half to go, we managed it.  Once again another good move tore into and through the BB back line with Carshalton switching play from the left to the right and back again to John Laming to send a cross into the path of Martin 'Dances like Estate Agent' Head whose shot went across the goalmouth to the feet of James Hirst.  His effort although goal bound was intercepted by first the 'keepers head, then arm, then another part of his body which probably shouldn't be referred to on what is a family website!  Finally, Jason 'Two pints of lager and a packet of...' Crisp(s) stabbed home a magnificent right-footed effort from fully 6 inches out, off his front right stud and sent it trickling towards the back of the net. 

Half-time BB Eagles 2 - Carshalton 1 

A confident Carshalton stepped back onto the field to re-start the game, sensing all 3 points could easily be ours.  An equaliser with all the chances we were making was (even if I am biased!) truly deserving and it did after around 5-10 minutes of the 2nd half.  An intense period of pressure forced a corner, taken by the dodgy car salesman sound-alike, Mark 'Boycie' Crawley.  Marleen's other half swung the ball in and James Hirst was on-hand with a diving header through a crowd of players into the back of the net. 

Again we pressed, but unfortunately again BB countered and with a throw-in on the left they capitalised on a defensive mix up to fire home from just outside the area, but only after the ball had bobbled and weaved through the rutted 6 yard box to just make it inside the post, and out of reach of the despairing dive of our keeper Bazza Consell.  Again we pushed and harried but to no avail, although James Hirst hit the post late on and Martin Head had a couple of half chances.  After one of these missed opportunities Martin was told by regular net burster Mark Crawley, "Just hit the target, don't hit the ball so hard."  Wise words! 

So unfortunately Carshalton 5's end the year on a low, but performance wise we can take a lot from this game, especially the passing and movement which at times was just irresistible, just unlucky with the shot or final ball. 

And finally, a special hello to 5th team groupie, and Ryan Noble's ego massager - Tom Poyser, who sadly couldn't be with us on Saturday as he was cleaning Ryan's Sunday morning football boots.  From everyone involved with the 5's, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a successful New Year! 

B.Consell, M.Crawley, N.Powell, R.McGibbon, J.Robins, J.Laming, R.Noble, M.Harris, J.Crisp, J.Hirst, M.Head.