Squad:

Peter E
Jim
Kevin
Grant
Chris
Colin
Rob

Our last game of the season saw us travel to Woodnesborough to take on the newly crowned league champions, no easy task. Another lovely evening weather wise again gave both teams excellent conditions to play in. Peter was making his league debut and there can’t be any tougher opposition to do so, as a casual observer you wouldn’t have known that this was his first competitive match as he confidently handled everything thrown at him and distributed well. For some of the squad this was a third game in a week which in the closing stages of this particular match was almost certainly to be our undoing. With only one sub available we just didn’t have enough energy which fresh legs would almost certainly would have done.

The match started with the home side pushing us back and although territorial wise we were under pressure, we defended well as a unit and gradually evened things up as our passing game got going. Grant was imposing himself bringing Chris and Kevin in to play with Colin again playing an unfamiliar position as centre forward, his hold up play was letting us get up the pitch as we made chances and ended the half strongly. With seconds to go we were awarded a free kick. Colin with his back to goal was trying to line up Kevin for a shot, Woodnesborough very wisely concentrated on denying him the space or angle in which to do so, this left yours truly in the open, a perfectly weighted pass enabled me to get a clean strike which remarkably kept low and nestled in to the corner of the home goal; Chris was a major factor in us opening the scoring as he unsighted the home keeper who just couldn’t react in time. Quite deservedly we went in a goal up and a famous victory was within our grasp.

Rob came on for the second half as Colin dropped back in to defence, we again were on the front foot. Grant continued to control the midfield cajoling and encouraging us to take the game to our illustrious opponents, Kevin particularly unlucky as his well struck shot was just kept out, Rob also taking up the unfamiliar role of the man up top. With ten minutes to go we conceded the equaliser, the three changes our hosts made at half time eventually made the difference as we went on to concede two more before the close, Peter given no chance with three well taken goals. It was disappointing to lose a game in this manner especially after playing so well as a team dominating the league winners for the majority of the encounter. We can be proud of our efforts not only last night but also for the whole season.

Thank you to Tony Old for his encouragement and Mark to coming down to support.

Chris Smith again refereed and as usual controlled both teams well keeping the game flowing, we enjoyed the hospitality of the home team in the clubhouse (£4 a pint) with a few well earned beers to round the season off in fine fashion.

So our season has finished with a very credible third place, thank you to every player who has helped us to achieve this. I really do like the way we approach games, try your best to be victorious without doubt as these are league games against opponents that want to beat us, everyone have given there all for the cause, onwards and upwards for next season.

A couple of mentions and thank yous, Tony Old and Gordon for their match day support along with everyone who took the time out to come along and encourage us, it really is appreciated.

The biggest thank you though goes to Rob Lynn, organising and getting us to games, it is a very difficult job bringing everything together, we couldn’t do it without you Rob.

Planning has already begun for next season where we hope to continue the success we have enjoyed in recent years.