Andy E (white) vs Chris (yellow)
League 2nd leg
Andy E 3-4 down

Another low turnout meant it was once again 6-a-side which is disappointing considering the number of members we currently have. Anyways, back to the football, and it was my honour on the picking board. Having left my seat to find Chris, all I could hear from the other room was Richie crying about being last pick. It nearly happened again, but I gave him a shot and picked him early having been assured he had not consumed 12 garlic breads for his pre-match meal this time.

It was a coal night, and the first 10 minutes looked like a bad shout, with Richie looking every inch ‘last pick’ material, having demonstrated ball control skills akin to Steven Hawking wearing a bobble hat and trying to swim. However, with me and Chris having the obligatory start in goal, my whites were still looking comfortable and knocking the ball around well. I didn’t really have a save to make for the first 20 minutes, as the yellows shooting accuracy woefully lacking (Blake).

Soon we were 1-0 up, and unbelievably, Richie had now located his feet, and calmly slotted for 1-0 after neat interplay between Jonny and Gary. Soon after we were 2-0 up and again Richie on the score sheet with another simple finish inside the box. Whites were now looking comfortable, with every player doing their job and contributing to the attacks. Brian was doing a stirling job of marshalling Sylvain, and limiting the yellows clear opportunities. After a couple of good chances, one of which I got a toe to on to the post, we scored our 3rd, and Richie the Hat-trick hero, with a carbon copy goal of his first one.

Soon after Brian felt a slight twinge and did a stint in goal, having been frozen in goal for the first 40 minutes, my foray to the outfield did not start well, and we promptly conceded due to my error trying to lean into the ball from a corner and missing it completely. 3-1 with a goal from Harvey and this gave the yellows some heart. It took me another 5 minutes to warm up and get to grips with the game, but we conceded again after some slack marking. 3-2, game on well and truly, with Blake getting on the scoresheet, yes he found the target for once!

By this time the yellows were the stronger of the two teams, with the whites losing a bit of shape and drive in the middle. A 3rd yellows goal soon followed, with a scrambled effort from Jay levelling the scores after some good work from Sylvain.

8 minutes to go and Richie went in goal for the final stint so he could discuss having a pint with our full house crowd cheering us on (Mark Austin)

Whites then began to push on with Neil making a rare burst forward, but failing to convert from Jonny’s lay off. Neil took the resulting corner and swung one in right onto my head (pre-game crossing practice proving successful!) and un-marked I nodded just past the post.

We were not the be denied the win however, with Gary then nodding in from a tight angle soon after, deep at the far post with another assist from Jonny. 4-3 at this stage, and we were now into the final minutes, this time Brian with a surge forward and capping off a fine evening for the whites with a well taken final goal. 5-3 and despite the 10 minute wobble where we conceded 3 goals, I thought we were good value for the win. Richie was particularly pleased having won and collecting his first 2 points. A few notable contenders for MOM including Brian & Sylvain (a great battle there) but as he had already told his entire family I will give it to Richie, having picked himself up from being last pick the previous week to scoring 3 and taking home the match ball from the lads who play on the middle pitch!

8-7 on aggregate to me, but due to the debacle from the first game, the infamous 10 vs 8! Chris still goes through to the Captains cup – we may meet again in the later rounds…