A tough game with very even sides. Saves galore by both keepers and the honesty of Dave O confirming his handball as a free kick, effectively giving me the win. This game had it all. As captain I picked Jay to play the thankless task of fW on his own and tried to pack the midfield with pace and skill full players. My defence a pick of solidity, pace and comfort on the ball under pressure.

The tone of the game was scrappy to start with both teams spurning opportunities and Richie enjoying himself at the expense of Dave O with a hat trick of ‘Meg’s’, if only they counted for points!

Yellows opened the score with a good finish by Nick who benefited from a rebound off the post after a period of pressure by the whites who until the goal seemed to be getting a grip of the game. Jays clever off the ball movement created the space for Nathan to score from a tight angle. The game all square but with the yellows pushing and squandering chance after chance, Nick having a top bin tipped over, Paul H putting his body in the way of everything coming his way, solid in the back. Stout defending and tracking by the MF of the whites created the one opportunity going forward that gave Nathan his brace and with the whites making good those break away chances, the yellows pressure didn’t count as Bren’s whites won by the narrowest of margins.

Neil will be disappointed to leave empty handed after his team dominated for such long periods of the game, but at 2-1, it is finely balanced for the return leg.

Difficult choice for MoM. Chris ran himself into the ground, Richie megged everyone while Blake, Jay and Cush covered every blade of grass with the ever skilful Nathan grabbing a brace.

Yellows had a real go, Tom looking back to his solid best, Gary covering every position for the cause and Neil solid at the back. Nick was excellent off and on the ball, while James did himself proud in defence. Graham made some solid saves and Dave and Jonny threatened all game with a string runs and shots.

Mom for me though was Paul H. He was solid at the back against a very determined Tom and covered the defensive line well when the whites attacked and got caught on the counter attack.