After a routine semi-final victory (sorry Bri), it was time for the big game – the Captains cup final. I knew this game would be tough, with Andy a seasoned and experienced campaigner. It was to be 9-a-side, with 4nr guests supplementing the regular season members. Andy S had the advantage of first pick.

After again realising there were not many defenders to pick from, my side was very attack minded. I sacrificed myself to go in at centre half (much to Richie and Dave’s amusement) and played Chris is his rightful position anchoring the midfield. The game started pretty evenly, with the yellows probably having the better of the exchanges in the first 15 minutes, though neither goalie really being called into action.

Soon enough, the whites started to take control in the middle of the park with Chris providing a solid base, and Zinedine Husson starting to pull the strings in the middle. A quick counter through the middle by the whites with the ball being fed through to Ali on the left proved to be the breakthrough with a smart finish from a tight angle. 1-0 whites.

Ali was relishing the freedom on the left, showing no mercy to his offspring Ben.

Eventually, the increased dominance of the whites was starting to tell, with Dave O up front causing problems in the box and dragging defenders out of position, some neat passing play and good footwork from Dave O made it 2-0, with a low finish bottom right.

A change of ends was forthcoming at halftime due to the wind conditions – having left the balls in the changing room, the wind advantage had a good enough impact for me for 24 minutes.

Cue second half, and the whites picked up where they left off, giving the wind advantage little chance to have effect. Another goal followed from Ali, 3-0 well worked between the front 3 – apologies for my lack of memory, but difficult to see all the action from the back, but from my position, it looked as though the keeper should have done better, sorry Geoff.  

By now, frustration was evident in the yellows attack, having not been given great service, Jay and Alan increasingly going searching for the ball, this left myself and Dave with a relatively easy run in to the end. A moment of pressure from the yellows created some danger, and a cross field pass from me to Dave, put him under pressure – he certainly thanked me for that! The method in my madness soon apparent however, as his next moment of pressure didn’t phase him, neatly turning in his own half and passing out wide to Sylvain to nutmeg the entire yellow team and slot a fine finish. 4-0.

I went in goal for the final 15 minutes, but not before another fine goal from Dave O, 5-0 looked like a great finish from where I was from a tight angle, with the net billowing beautifully. A change from the yellows sent crazy horse up front, seemingly to mark the keeper (me) soon after, a fine cross from Alan, onto Gary’s head, gave them a deserved consolation goal – good finish 5-1.

I pulled off a fine double save moments later as the yellows pushed for further respectability in the score line, but alas it wasn’t to be.

Some clinical finishing, and a good formation seemed to swing it for the whites, and a fine display from everyone on my team – cheers lads.

Commiserations to Andy, we go again next year.

MOM: Difficult to pick as it was a real team performance from my guys, all were contenders: Dave O gets it having had to pick himself up after a semi-final loss last week and performing like that!