Another week just about gathering the minimum number of players for a competitive game with 12 of us braving the cold (Well done to all).

4 names in contention for picking. Myself and Brian being the 2 drawn out to battle for safety from the dreaded Duffers cup. Teams were picked as per the match report page. It was when I got out onto the pitch that Tom let me know that I had somehow picked 3 goalies; the ever reliable Bren, also Mark and Stewy who were both carrying injuries and had requested to take it easy and have a stint in goal. Shite, Neil! Fortunately both were troopers and agreeable to play outfield. 

And so to the game, we were initially under some pressure from Brian’s team with Richie dragging our defensive line further and further back. He loves goal-hanging. Jay and Gary finding acres of space to move the ball into also. As the game progressed we were able to press further forward. Bren was making some great saves…as we would come to expect from him. Tom’s powerful attacking display was key to our ability to counter attack with speed…something which I was banking on! The deadlock was broken with some good passing and movement, ending with a calm finish from Tom.

Forgive me I cannot remember the exact sequence of goals here on out. other than being 3-0 ahead and thinking that we mustn’t do “an Everton”. Jonny was running tirelessly in the middle, as was Mark until his leg gave way. Mark then swapped with Bren. Fighting valiantly, Brian’s team took this opportunity to put us under some pressure and won a corner. Richie drilled a low cross across the face of the goal, a game of pinball ensued, deflections galore off Jonny, the post, the bar and finally the new GK, Mark. Richie was trying to claim a goal at this point however VAR quickly ruled this out…or so everyone thought…except Hackett. Having found his scoring boots last week, he seized this opportunity to get 2 from 2, volleying Mark and the ball into the back of the net. 3-1 with about 15 to go. I think it went 4-1 with a quick attack from Jonny and Stewy, who played an absolute blinder with a bad back and having OD’d just hours before on painkillers….seems that worked!!! Bren and I seemed to be soaking up the pressure towards the end of the game, communicating well…ish. Until Gary (not the shit one) managed to pull it back to 4-2 having been put through on goal by Jay. Pogba rounded Mark to slot home. With about 5 left on the clock, the ball dropped to Bren, who then hoofed the ball forward (proper football that) with a degree of accuracy that managed to find Jonny to make it 5-2 and game over for Brian. 

FT.

Man of the match…would have to say Tom. Scored a hat-trick and linked up well with Stewy and Jonny.

Good luck in the next round Brian!

A few other highlights of the night:

1. Richie with some well timed commentary: “We’re playing shite it’s making Neil look good!”…as I then proceeded to ‘head’ the ball square in the face.

2. Another game on my best winning streak of the season…up to 3 in a row!

3. A cracking turnout in the pub, Tom emptied the bar of all snacks to treat us all.

4. Bren told the wider Childer Thornton community about his assist and defensive prowess.

5. Jonny getting lost in the pub and going into the Ladies thinking it was the exit.

6. A riveting discussion between Jay and Richie about what each of them would describe as the perfect pork scratching.