Click on back button to return... 

I shouldn’t probably write this (tempting fate and all that …) but the Vets are on a bit of a roll it has to be said.  Just a few facts and figures for the fans: this game saw our undefeated run extend to ten games, we have scored 54 goals and only 17 against in a total of 14 games and the last four games have produced 21 Carshalton goals with only 3 against!

The game against a depleted Chelsea Old Players side added ten to our total.  According to Ray (and he should know) the biggest win for the Vets since the early 1890s (or was that 1980s).  We had to lend the opposition three of our players to get the game started on time and were all over them straight from the kick off.  A volley into the bottom corner by the Dutchman started the rout within the first five minutes.  Further goals from Bobby Horne (2), who was excellent up front all match, Gavin Dykes, Gary Wing and an own goal saw the half time score at 6-0.  Highlight of the first half had to be the sight of Ian Newman (while playing for the opposition) lying prostrate in the Carshalton 18 yard box, being pummelled in the stomach by at least two attempts at goal by one of his Chelsea team mates.

The second half saw much the same pattern although the heavy pitch did start to take its toll on Carshalton’s passing accuracy.  Highlights of the second half were the brace by Ray Challis, who clearly enjoyed his more and more frequent charges into the opposition’s box, the completion of Bobby’s hattrick with a fine goal and the (accidental?) torpedoing of van Emst by Gary Wing (coming straight from the WWF training ground according to Shaggy).

To their credit, the Chelsea Old Players lads never gave up but were on this occasion not able to keep up with the rampant Carshalton Vets.  They did manage to breach the Vets’ defence twice though, once by scoring from the rebound of a harshly given penalty which Martin saved initially and then by a rather soft goal.  It shows the commitment of Shaggy and Derek and our wish to keep a clean sheet that, with the score being 8-0, they both vehemently argued with referee Alan Lawrance that the player scoring from the rebound had “encroached illegally” (their definition) and the goal should be disallowed.  Alan was not going to deny the oppo their consolation goal though.  Despite that, thanks to him for refereeing and to Reg and Ahmed for helping us out.

 Tony van Emst