First game of the new season and as has seemed to become a tradition, we start the new season with the Captains Cup Final.

I came into the final following a 6-0 win over Andy Smith in the semi. Phil similarly progressed into the final, schooling Neil in how to pick a winning side, 7-2.

Having seen Phil pick sides which has seen him ease through each round, the first battle of the night was on the picking board. 

Phil picked a strong forward line, looking to dominate in the final third. I decided to pick my team in a similar fashion to my brother, despite the warning signs in the semi. Going for a solid back line, with speed and skill up front, Mac and Ben respectively.

Kickoff.

Phil's Whites dominated the game for the first half. At the halfway point they were 2 goals up. Sylvain had rocketed a shot low from the right hand side of the goal, which Nick E had no chance getting to. Up until that point Nick had made some brilliant saves to keep us level. One a spectacular diving save to keep out a long range effort from Dave O.

Dave O scored the second, a low driven shot into the bottom corner after we allowed him too much space.

At roughly the half way point we started to take a bit more control of the game. Mac had an effort hit the bar after a glancing header. Never mind Mac, maybe next time. ... Macs next chance came, a low shot/pass by me straight to Mac’s feet right in front of goal. Good control by Mac in fairness but just didn't have the angle to turn and shoot. Never mind Mac, maybe next time.

We needed someone to step up, we needed a secret weapon, and of course I had just that...Andy Mealor. With a history of turning a game round when all hope is lost (especially against his dad!) Andy picked out a pass which split the defence and allowed Ben to run on and and bring us back 2-1. 

Andy then brought us level, Ben having a shot saved from out wide, Andy picking up the rebound, rounding his dad in goal and rolling it into the net.

At 2-2 we looked on top, passing and pressing with intent. The whites however becoming desperate, sliding tackles from Paul went unchallenged (he deemed it was fair anyway, and not a proper slide.)

The whites got us on the break. A rebound from a Geoff header off the bar, bounced back into the danger zone, and fell to Sylvain who placed it into the net to give them the lead again. Unlucky for us! 3-2.

Needing one more goal now, we continued to press. We were keeping hold of possession and passing it around superbly. Our goal came when Mike received a pass out wide, he took a touch and then play a direct powerful pass which found Ben's leg at the far post and deflected in. Final result 3-3.

An impressive display and a well fought draw for both teams.

Despite my call for a penalty shoot out, it was decided as it was the final, it would go to a replay. Even though Phil and I would be happy to share the trophy this year. Change of rules anyone?

See you in the final replay! ... Paul, watch the sliding tackles! 

M.O.M Good performances from Ben, Andy M and Sylvain (ever present in disrupting play), however, despite his injury, Nick E pulled off a spectacular save, which had it of gone in would have finished us off. So I’ll give it to Nick as he kept us in the game on a number of occasions.