Final match of the season and everything was at stake with Richie just needing a draw and me needing a win.

Great turnout with 21 wanting to play and I think what must have been a record attendance to watch. Lovely to see Bob and Phil there amongst others who turned out. I think this really added to the occasion and gave it that extra edge.

I went to the game in my yellow shirt and some joker said " Quick, before Richie gets here everyone put on a yellow shirt on"  It didn't go unnoticed by Richie made even funnier by Geoff and Dave walking in after him in yellow shirts also.

Richie and I started picking with me going first. I had contemplated picking Andy Eyres first  in order to confuse Richie but I thought better of it thankfully, the way things worked out (no offence intended Andy). I was very pleased with my team selection and still picked Geoff despite him saying to me before we picked " I can either play like Jordan Pickford or Alisson Becker depending on the size of the bung". 

The game started and we looked quite solid and did most of the early pressing but Richie looked very secure in goal and our half chances amounted to nothing. That was the way the rest of the first half went with the whites having a few long range efforts.

We turned around at half time as Jordan in goal was complaining about the sun in his eyes. This seemed to make a difference because fairly early on Dave on the left made a good break and fed a perfect ball to young Ben on the right who finished superbly. What a relief 1 - 0. That first half had been frustrating after we had played so well.

Shortly after this a long ball was played to Mac and I thought Richie looked favourite to get to it first but Mac somehow managed to lob it over him into the empty net. It was a superb finish and exactly the reason why I picked Mac as he is one of the most accomplished finishers at the club.

The whites started to stir a bit more and looked increasingly dangerous now. Richie then came out of goal and played up front which added to their momentum.

We were stiil pressing forward when we could and in the later stages of the game, Dave and Ben added goals to make the score 4 -0. I had to pinch myself as I thought the game would have been much tighter. 

Although the whites really tried hard in the final stages, we managed to keep a clean sheet.

Every single player on my side gave everything and I can't thank them enough for a great performance. You all deserve to be MOM but there can only be one and that has to be Ben. Not only did he score 2 goals his passing was superb as was his all round play. Well done Ben what a great way to finish your first season at Plus 30.

It was great to be presented with the superb trophy at the end of the match. As I said at the end, I felt 3 players really stood out this season, Richie, Gary and Andy E and with more luck on their side either could have won the league. The great thing about our league is that it rewards participation primarily although ability does play its part and then there is a generous helping of luck. Some weeks a captain can pick a dog of a team and you're in it, sometimes you're in the 6 against the 7  and sometimes you are very unlucky with injury like Mike and Mac both of whom were flying till hit by injury before Christmas.

Here's to next season. Thanks everyone for making this another memorable season.