Having had extremely good turn-outs over the last several weeks and players on the 'stand-down' list missing a game I thought I'd check the list to see when it was likely to be my turn. Much to my surprise I was quite close to the top - no.5 - and as those that proceeded me on the list included a couple of members who haven't been able to attend for some time (Andy M., Ben) I fully expected to miss the game. Now this actually suited me as I'd been suffering from a heavy cold and cough and thought it might be a good time to be sent home. Much to my dismay - and what usually happens when I start to think tactically - my plan went somewhat awry because a) Ben actually turned up b) only 18 others did too!

To add insult to injury I was asked to pick teams with Noel (who would have been sent home too) to play our Captain's cup-tie.

I won the toss and elected to pick first even though it meant being a man down and thought to myself "Noel won't pick that well" - well bugger me, he's learning bloody quickly! Although I missed out on one pick in particular I was pretty pleased with the selection - superstars and experience - I made and was quite confidant of getting a result.

I elected to play in goal as I knew I'd get winded quite quickly (yes, I know that's normal but the situation was exacerbated by my illness - Man-Flu!) but even that plan fell by the wayside in a very short time when Nick suffered a leg injury and had to go in goal. As it happened I managed okay and thoroughly enjoyed the game that ensued. Although it ended 0-0 with very few clear cut chances for either side (perhaps mac might have done a little better with one or two but he is getting old and past it now) it was an excellent game with lots of good football and outstanding performances from players on both sides. A draw was a very fair result I thought. No assists and no goal scorers but great defending - does our value increase Gary?

Very difficult to pick a man of the match but for us I thought Carl had an excellent game anchoring our midfield (honourable mentions to Gary, Oz, Bob and Ben in his first game for ages) and for the Whites both Smithie and Sheeny continued their recent, good form as did Mac with the Sheen monster just edging it.