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Despite the fact that HAC are arguably the best side that Carshalton Vets play each season, recent games against them have been very tight affairs with few goals.  This season’s first encounter was no exception.  Played at their very nice home ground in the City of London, HAC put us under severe pressure from the start.  All credit must go to an excellent Carshalton performance full of hard work and commitment throughout the team for keeping them at bay.  We kept soaking up the pressure successfully and hitting HAC on the break when possible.  Our hard work continued even when, with only one substitute available, Gary Wing, Derek Cadman and Peter Griggs suffered injuries in the first half.

HAC did take the lead after a rare loose ball in the Carshalton defence was pounced on.  Our heads did not drop and we kept up the high work rate and kept passing the ball.  All that hard work was rewarded when a similar situation occurred in the HAC penalty area and the ball fell kindly to Gary Wing.  Despite being severely affected by the sight a very fit looking female gym instructor just before the game as well as a hamstring injury (the two are not related so I am assured by Gary), he kept his head and scored the equaliser.

The second half was much the same story and few real chances were created on either side.  The final whistle brought a feeling of great satisfaction with the result and made the long trip to Central London certainly worthwhile.  This was only reinforced by the socialising with HAC afterwards and the numerous beers first in their club’s bar and later in the pub.  Thanks to John for helping us out in goal with an excellent performance despite a three year period of in-activity (you should take a rest more often!).

Overall, an excellent day of footie which was only marred by the constant abuse I got all the way home from some (and one in particular!) of my so-called team mates about the Everton-Arsenal result. (I know where you live Del-boy!!)

Tony van Emst