Squad

Lawrence
Jim
Rob
Toony
Michael
Les
George
Chris

This was the first time we have played since the sad passing of our former captain Peter Cadogan, to say it was a shock is an understatement and he will be sorely missed. Peter was a driving force for our club and loved the competitive nature of the league games, he had a will to win but never crossing the line of fairness and was an inspiration to play with.

We had a minutes applause before kick off and wore our “Portsmouth” kit in his memory, we were determined to bring home the 3 points.

Woodnesborough B kicked off with some familiar faces and started quite brightly with a shot off target, we gradually took control and George netted twice finishing especially well for the first goal. Les was lively up front setting up numerous chances and was unlucky hitting the post as did George with the ball rebounding to safety. Toony was also unlucky latching on to a poor clearance and narrowly missing and his rebound effort was well saved. If it wasn’t the goal posts thwarting us we also came up against an opposition goal keeper at the top of his game, having said that Lawrence made a great save to maintain our clean sheet in the first half.

An excellent first half as we went in 2 goals up.

The Second half continued in the same vein when Michael neatly finished off a fine passing move to put us 3 up for his first over 60 goal.

We did go off the boil at bit after this and Woodnesborough B pulled a goal back after a penalty was conceded. Although the away team pressed forward in an attempt to get back in to the match the Strollers held firm. George made the points safe when he completed his hat trick with the aid of both posts.

We really went for it trying to make the score more realistic and despite a hatful of chances we could not get a fifth goal, ultimately this was our undoing as on the break we conceded a second goal shortly before the full time.

Thanks again to Rob Rae for refereeing a game played in the right spirit.

So with the points in the bag we retired to the bar to share a few beers with Peter very much in our minds, he would have loved it today, especially the team spirit and camaraderie that is probably the best part of our great club, long may it continue. It is great to still be able to play competitive football at our age and Peter was one of the most influential pioneers of our early days building the foundations for our continuing enjoyment, for that I thank him.