New Season, New Kit, New Website and Old Timers.

Mark and I had a full house to pick from. With 22 players turning up and Andy S and Andy E standing down, it was going to be 10-a-side. What joy. Knowing Mark was unbeaten in his last six I was beginning to think it was already over, and then when he picked in-form Alan I knew it was going to be a tough night. But not to worry, I'd picked Andy M, who I knew I could rely on (I think he was meant to be pumping up the balls at the time), and put him on the team sheet.

The opening goal of the season was scored by Ali, who caught a volley from a cleared corner, which managed to find a path through a crowded penalty box and into the net. The game was end to end and a few stop and starts took place as we turned to the reliable Andy M to ask where the rest of the balls where.

Next goal came from Ali's floated cross into the box, which Neil guided into the back of the net. That put us two up. I thought we where going to breeze it, but the Whites started to up the pressure and kept coming at us. Ben, Richie and Mac where causing us some positioning problems as they kept stretching the play out into the wide positions. Their constant pressure paid off when Kenny parried a shot onto the post but Richie's quick reaction fired the rebound into the goal.

We got our two goal cushion back when Ali got his second. Next came the goal of the night and the season so far, my dad says it reminded him of Terrys McDermott's goal for Liverpool against Tottenham at Anfield many many years ago. Neil headed a ball clear from a corner, which I picked up and passed it forward to reliable Andy, who threaded a ball through to Nick down the wing and he cut it back for Geoff to slot home. A wonderful flowing team move. Andy M scoring shortly after to make it 5-1.

If there was a medal for bravery, I would have presented it to Nick E, as he went in for a 50-50 with Paul. I had to look away, but I'm relieved to say he made it out alive this time.

The whites got another one late on when they won a corner, Ben played a fast ball into the box and Richie made a darting run to the near post and flicked it through about 6 players into the far corner.

Game finished 5-2.

Well played to all players, here's to another great season.