Where do I start this week?  Well last week I think with the stress of throwing away a 3 goal lead (a third of which was my fault) I must have said too much and upset some players.  If that's the case, I apologise.  But in my defence, I’m the first to praise as well as the first to blame and I always give 100%.  And that's where I normally point the finger because giving the ball away isn't what bothers me.  Its the lack of effort to redeem the situation.  Going forward isn't a problem if you get back.  These things have nothing to do with ability, just effort.  And if its tactics that have caused a problem, well I’m a window fitter running an 8th team.  As I’ve said in a previous report, playing for Carshalton in the SAL is about afterwards in the clubhouse as much as the football.  The clubhouse gives you the chance to clear the air over a beer, build team spirit and laugh at things that caused the stress before hand. 

Which brings me nicely on to this week.  3 players from last week were not available through injury.  Never mind.  Juggle a bit and we've got a team again.  3 players didn’t  turn up.  That's stress.  First stroke of luck - I bumped into Steve Hall ex Everton and Carshalton Vets (I know Everton isn’t very impressive but Carshalton Vets have always been a strong side) in the local Chinese take away three weeks ago and had a chat about our team.  He says he will pop down and watch one week, and there he was ready to “watch” but wearing football boots - a dead giveaway.  Next stroke of luck - Dave Paterson asks me “Why are you playing in goal?”  “I haven't got a goalkeeper” I reply.  He tells me that there is one over in the clubhouse looking for a game.  “Kin Hell” I say and run off to the clubhouse again.  Step up Nigel Findley.

Suddenly things are looking up.  

Aah - 2 players away, 3 players injured, 3 players not turned up, not enough kit.  Back over to the clubhouse.  Thank you Shaun Swan for one shirt and thanks to Pete Taylor one shirt and thanks Wol one shirt.  

Oh yeah and now there's a game, and a bloody good game at that.  Finchleians are unbeaten this season and Carshalton with only six regular faces.  Our hard work and football against their football and electric pace.  Hard work looked the most likely to come out on top, in part thanks to a good save from Nigel tipping a great shot over the bar.  But the deadlock was broken by Carshalton.  Chris Mingay flicking on a header to Tom Thoroughgood who squared to Andy Bitmead Jnr on the edge of the box who in turn struck a great shot into the bottom corner - lovely goal.  Well deserving our lead at half time we knew the game wasn't over.  In fact we knew it had another half.

The second half started as the first half with Carshalton the stronger but a free kick for Finchleians came close - a kick awarded by referee Paterson for a very dubious handball by Dave Thoroughgood - a decision that will have many calling for video technology.

Anyway a second goal finally came for Carshalton after a quick free kick by yours truly put Chris Mingay through.  He nodded over the keeper and Tom Thoroughgood won the race to put the ball in before it could be cleared.  And when Mark Edmonds made it 3-0 you would have thought it was game over.  But no; this is the 8s and with 15 mins left Finchleians pulled one back.  Nobody's fault, just a bloody good goal by a bloody fast player.  7 mins left and its 3-2 and they are finishing strongly and our lead is now only intact thanks to a great save from Nigel.  At the other end, Harrison Jenvey was causing their (by now) 2 defenders all sorts of problems; hassling them at every opportunity.  Its a shame he is now suspended for 6 weeks for laughing at the Liverpool vs. West Ham score.

So there you go just another Saturday at Beddington Park.

PS - Thanks to Clive Edmonds for playing at short notice.  Hope you didn't ache too much Sunday morning.

Well played Kieran Costello.  Hope you enjoyed your 8th team debut and c u next week.

And last of all - the Club have imposed a strict “no pay, no play” on joining fees from now, so can I ask those who haven't paid to return their shirts to the Club please or better still, pay your subs and enjoy the stress.

Cheers

PPS – Adrian, do you want to play or not?  If you do, turn up on time and pay after the game (you owe me 2 weeks match fees).  If you don’t, give your shirt to Andy please.

Dave Thoroughgood