Good turnout for a Wednesday on a chilly week. However with odd numbers of 8 vs 7, Ross and I where chosen as captains for our 2nd leg of the season. Being 4-3 down from the first leg, I chose to have the extra man in hopes that I could search for that illusive goal while still having a secure team...at least I got the latter bit right!

Line up we’re as the match page says.

You’d think that being a goal-less draw there’d be not much to talk about however the match itself was one of the more tense affairs of the season. 

Ross had an attacking combination of Gary, Chris and Richie who were pitted against a back-line of myself, Brian and Alan, with Geoff being in goal.

The game was pretty much a game of two contrasting halves, for the first 20/30 mins we piled on the pressure, with Laurie and Paul working fantastically in the middle of the field to support Andy M and Dave O going forward. Chances were created however Ross and his team did protect their goal well. 

In the second half of the match, the whites were let back into the game, a lot of their play came from hitting us on the break. However my team stood defiant in not allowing them to get ahead, with some fantastic saves from Geoff (who did tell me before the game he wouldn’t let me down! - cheers Geoff). Also of note we’re some great blocks from Paul, Brian and Alan. 

In the last 5/10 mins we switched it up with putting Geoff up top and Laurie in goal. However we still struggled to get the ball up the field for Geoff to test Blake who was then in goal for the Whites.

In the last few minutes of the game then came one of, if not the best save of the season so far. A shot came from the White’s left wing, which took a slight deflection from Brian (I think), this then made the shot loop towards the right hand side of the goal, however Laurie managed to dive acrobatically to tip it over the bar. One for the cameras they would say on tv! Ken would be proud!

A night for the defensive minded players. 0-0. Good luck to Ross in the captains cup!

I thought all the players for both sides had a great game, however i would say my man of the match is Laurie, not only for his acrobatics in goal but for his work rate in midfield.

Great match that shows just what a great club this is.