On a cold Wednesday night in December, 13 players turn up and the most viable captains were Jay and myself having played with 13 players in the previous leg.

Jay and I both started the game in goal and watched on as our teams battled it out on the pitch. Both teams started very well, both playing to their strengths. The whites had the majority of possession and forward play, with Dave O, Jonny and Chris pressing forward, but with Neil and Brian marshalling the defence, the dangerous Sylvain up on his own in attack and Blake/Andy E running to support, we could be dangerous on the counter.

Yellows scored first, Andy E with a bending run around the Whites defense allowed Sylvain to cut a weighted pass through the middle which Andy neatly slotted home.

At about the half-way point of the game having had a decent outing as goalkeeper (I caught a few shots!), feeling confident and liking what I was seeing from my team, I decided with Brian I would continue in goal for one more play. I should have quit while I was ahead. Jonny equalised for the Whites. Making some space for himself down the right and firing a hard low shot to my left. Too quick for me to stop it!

A bit of shuffling around for my team for the next few minutes when we changed keepers. The Whites capitalised and struck their second. Jonny again putting his team ahead.

Whites still pressing forward, forced Brian into a double save leaving him lying on the floor and the ball falling to Dave O, fortunately his effort went just wide of the post.

Sylvain had had a few chances go astray up to the last quarter of the game, but he finally tapped one in to level the score.

Then with five minutes to go we reversed the score for the second time. With Blake, Sylvain and Andy pressing, I had some space to get around Hackett and stick one in the net.

A high tempo finish ensued but with the team digging in we held out for the win.

Final score 3-2.

MOM - Could have picked any one of my team who all put a shift in to make up for the extra man. Brian gets it because he was defensively astute, kept it simple (like his head) and made a multitude of saves when in goal.

Good close games Jay - better luck in the duffers! :D