Report:
I've written a report, as this was another key
match for us, and, like Mr. Watt a couple of weeks, ago thought that
this was a match worthy of a few words.
Again, what a fantastic
performance by the whole squad! It has been my privilege to play
for this team twice in 3 weeks, and I am stunned by the amazing sense of
team morale.
The already strong squad was strengthened by the commanding presence
of Zim in the sweeper role - calm, cool, and cracking distribution at 16
yard hits.
Unfortunately, we were still missing our midfield dynamo, Slater Snr.,
who was still suffering a rib injury from the Gore court game. Nick
advised me that I was going to be Pete Slater for this game. Fine, I
thought, no one will notice the difference, apart from the speed,
stamina, and skill!
Straight from the push back, we started as we meant to go on, camped
in their half, with shot after shot after shot on goal. We
couldn't lose! We could have been 9 or 10 up in the first half.
I say we could have been, because there were two flies in the
ointment - their sweeper and keeper! Their sweeper was great -
anything near him was stopped and he was solid on tackles. The
real star of the show however, was their keeper. He was smaller
than I am (and that's small), but he was an absolute giant in ability!!!
I could run out of superlatives to describe his acrobatics, suffice it
to say that it was one of the best displays of keeping that I'd seen in
a long time at any level (and I umpire at Regional and London Premier
Div level).
To cut a long story short, we ended up being 1-0 down for most of the
game. What makes this team worthy of the top spot in the league is the
never-say-die spirit, and we needed it in this game. We need a
superb goal to beat this powerhouse of a keeper, and the ever-reliable
Spencer gave it to us. He somehow managed to flip it over the
keeper's head from close range. The keeper dived across the goal, trying
to head butt the ball away, but he was just too late. Great goal Spence!
We were level!
Spencer was so fired up by this, he started screaming at Jamie F. in
our goal, who was relaxing on the floor not having had too much to do.
We were all a bit bemused by this... All credit to Jamie - he kept his
concentration (not easy when you don't have much to do), and made some
very important clearances.
The last 10 minutes were very tight as we pressurised their D even
harder, and they, in turn, counter attacked. Our defence held. They
didn't stop trying to play and attack us, so well done to them.
Then, with a couple of minutes to go they cleared the ball, but only
to yours truly on the 25 yd line (yes, I got a nosebleed from going up
that far!). Spencer called for it, got it, and put the ball in the
back of the net!
A minute later, the final whistle went, and I felt that special kind
of exhilaration that you get from a well deserved win.
A most enjoyable game to play in and the opposition played the game
in good spirit - if only more teams did this.
Steve Davies produced his usual solid umpiring performance - he gets
better and better every time I see him.
Man of the match? Easy: their keeper! (And our whole
squad).
Continue to play like this lads, and we'll have the league wrapped
up. |