As Jay mentioned on entering the changing room, I was going to need a miracle to turn around the score and given that he could not remember when Everton last turned around a score of 3 goals it was not likely to happen. Looking at the people in the changing room and having a feeling that Cush would pick Bren as first pick, I decided to go for the extra man and hope that I would have good legs in midfield and over run Cush's team. 

Oh, how wrong can one be. The yellows seemed to think that this would be easy and strolled around chasing shadows for the first 30 minutes of the game. Fair play to the whites, their passing and movement was excellent, and they had a couple of half chances, but I watched most of them go wide or hit the post. The whites did take an eventually deserved lead about halfway through the game. A robust pass from Gary P to Brian was mis-controlled and as I came out to resolve the situation, passed directly into Jay’s path who stumbled but slotted into the empty net. 

I would like to say this jolted the yellows into action but sadly not. However, the whites gradually started to sit back. Were they running of out steam? Slowly but surely the yellows started to have a few chances, although most had Bren chasing the ball down behind the goal. With about 20 minutes to go a quick break and a clean strike from Dave O (the only one of the night) and the scores where level. Game on. The yellows had woken up and began getting on top and pinning the whites in their half. A couple of chances went begging but with about 5 minutes to go James was standing free at the back post and slotted into the corner to make it 2-1. Anyone wondering why James was free will have to ask Cush, who supposedly delegated the task to Nick!!!!.

The rolls where then reversed, and the whites pushed on for a late equaliser (see below for final two chances). In the end the yellows held on for the 2-1 win. Not enough to see me progress into the captain’s cup, so Jay was right the miracle did not happen.

MOM, easy from one point of view, I don’t think anyone deserved it from the yellow’s but difficult from the whites, as all played well. Going to give it to David Beckham (for the people who played you know who I mean).

Statements from the pub.

Nick low volume shout - need to speak to Bren as not sure what that was about.

Cush nutmegging Dave twice - missed that one as well.

Nick complaining about Jamie skying a shot onto the next pitch in the final couple of minutes. Oh, how we laughed when two minutes later Nick went higher and was even closer to the goal.

Difference of opinion if Gary P was honest or not about the disallowed handball goal. The suggestion that because he did not declare the handball a nano second after scoring, he was cheating. A little bit harsh in my book.

As has been mentioned in several match reports recently. A good competitive game and played in the right spirit.