This Wednesday followed a cold snap in some January weather which resulted in snow and ice still on the pitch. These kind of conditions usually mean one of two things happen... 1) The venue falls to shit and we get cancelled or 2) We get so many pussies that cry-off that we can't even get a game.

Unfortunately, neither of these happened, 24 players wanted a game which meant that Brian and I would be playing our second match as captains. Gary had announced this in the group so I had taken into account all of the players due to play and tried to pre-empt the picking order. However this was thrown out of the window as Jay and Bren did not make the 7:50 curfew and club rules stated that the doors got locked for picking.

Teams were picked as per the match report page and I thought I had a fairly decent team...albeit being left to pick Richie.

Onto the game. Brian's yellows seemed to struggle to get the ball up to an ever-running Nick Evans as Gary W and my midfield three of Jonny, Tom and Harry were pressing the ball high up the field. Within 20 mins we were 2-0 up. The first came from Gary W putting pressure on Joe who sent a pass wayward and allowed Gary to put it past Brian in goal. Our second goal came from a lovely nutmegs by Jonny on Ross, then a long range curler into the top bin.

8-2 up overall and I thought this was plain sailing.

Because of the snow/ice, Brian and I had agreed to switch ends at the halfway point, but just before we did, a cross from Gary P for the yellows found Chris who miss-hit his shot, but allowed Nick E to slot the ball past Richie. 2-1 HT.

I'm not a superstitious guy, but following this second half and the fact that James and the aura of his losing streak record was next to our goal, I've come to realise that the ice and snow weren't the only reason that Brian agreed to switch ends so enthusiastically.

The half kicked off and started much the same as how the first went, although the Yellows did seem to be hungrier for the ball.

After about 5 mins, Richie gave me the nod that he wanted to grace the field with his presence rather than be GK. Fair enough, but it left me in a bit of a tactical dilemma, with a lack of CB's on the field and myself as captain heading into goal I had to change the positions of the team, with Tom dropping into the CB role. This switch dramatically changed the game. With attack after attack now coming from the Yellows. Two crosses from Blake found Gary P, which were headed and volleyed into the net. 2-3. 

With 10 or so to go, Hackett (Chopper) advised me that he wanted to switch. 

Desperate for points, my team tried to get an equaliser, but were caught on the break time and again by the Yellows. This resulted in a nasty 50/50 between Nick E (unstoppable force) and Hackett (immovable object). Play was stopped for a few minutes whilst Richie checked Nick over for no protruding bones...not that kind.

It was noted that James started warming up just in case a substitute was required, but Brian quickly got Nick to his feet after seeing this.

The game resumed and shortly after there was another one on one between Hackett and Nick, but this time Nick rounded him and put it in the back of the net. 2-4. 

FT.

Well done Brian. 8-6 overall. Well fought. You won the battle but I won the war. Best of luck in the Duffers.

MOM - Nick for showing bravery or some sort of idiocy to go up like that against Hackett again after you just got clotheslined by him. And for the 2 goals I suppose. How long were you in A&E?

P.S. The collision/injury sparked some debate in the pub after the game and on WhatsApp some days after. Some suggestions about sin bins and the like. It was so touching to see the spirit of the club reaffirm itself in the form of the chairman saying “you all sound like an absolute bunch of fannies”. What a great club to be a part of.

P.P.S. Who the F is Clive?