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"This lot have scored 23 goals in two games." quoth Steve Ollington prior to our Beddington Park encounter with Old Finchleians.  Steve is always one who knows how to raise the spirits in the team.  Under new Raaz law, the 7s arrived promptly for the three o'clock kick off.  Shame about the oppo who turned up at ten past three.  Finally kicked off at twenty five past after Lenny decided that 35 mins each way would be a fair game, not to mention the fact that he wanted to get straight into the bar afterwards.

Cars started well and matched their opponents for the first quarter.  There is no doubting that Finchleians are a good side, but they seemed a little suspect at the back.  Alan "Springbok" Van De Thake opened the scoring, using his gazelle-like pace to charge down an attempted clearance by the Finchleian goalie and tap in the simplest of goals.  Cars continued to press forward with Colin Banham hustling and bustling down the right of midfield.

Finchleians equalised just before half time.  I didn't see the goal as I was in some pain half way up the field nursing a large stud to my big toe.  Apparently it was offside, and reports say it may have crept in through the poorly pegged netting - Mr Cook, are you reading this?

Cars had the advantage of the wind in the second half and piled forward.  Mick, fresh from the Vets, replaced Jon Smith and Colin Banham moved up front.  Cars pressured the Finchleians net, especially from set pieces.  Colin had a great chance to finish the game off but his header went over with the goalie stranded.  The winner came with 15 minutes to go.  Pete Wetheridge pressed forward from full back and lobbed the Finchleian keeper after a perfect through ball from Jamie Greenslade.

On a bit of a sour note, the Finchleians right back was sent off for going a bit loopy and threatening to duff up Colin.  Lenny wasn't left with much choice.  Mark Brown had little to do in the second half, nothing in fact.  I'll remind him to take his fags next time.

HSBC in the cup next week. Could it be the season?????

Matt Parker