Editor's note - this game would have taken place in October or November but slotting it in here for continuity as much as anything.
When? Sunday morning.
Where? King Edwards Stud, Wanborough.
Who? NATIONAL POWER RESERVES.
Nightmare start. Kick off time emerges and only 8 players ready for combat. We eventually emerge 15 mins late with 10 men. Down by one man THE ALEHOUSE revelled in the damp conditions and took the game to THE POWER.
The WARR brothers were dominant in defence with MATTHEW taking care of things both in the air and on the deckand BEN scampering around on the cover. BEN also rode his luck during his valiant attacking sprees up the right flank. Mind you, he took an eternity to return to his defensive duties once forward. Partnering MATTHEW in the heart of defence was new boy NEIL SHURMER. Together they fought, scrambled, bobbed, weaved, ducked, chased, tussled and thwarted most of what THE POWER threw at them.
Who was it playing in the unfamiliar role of left-back? Jeepers! It's Little KEV. He is certainly stout enough to be a rugged defender but openly admits his pace is lacking when confronted by a nimble winger.
AS luck would have it THE POWER did possess a nimble winger in the shape of JARED PROTHERO (POSSE MEMBER). It was his pace that produced the first goal of the game. The ball was chipped into the open space behind LITTLE KEV and was quickly seized upon by the impressive PROTHERO. Two touches later the ball was nestled in the back of the net having been rifled past GARRATT's despairing dive.
Positive attitude still intact THE ALEHOUSE ventured forward looking for a deserved equaliser. Iy nearly came in the shape of a netbuster from GOULD.
KIBBLE and GOULD linked well down the left flankreleasing KIBBLE to attack the space behind the defence. On reaching the goal-line KIBBLE neatly pulled the ball back to the edge of the 18 yard box for GOULD to release a ferocious right foot drive into the crossbar only to see it rise handsomely skyward and safe.
Nearing half time IAN MERRY drew the teams level with a rare headed goal from a WARR free-kick. It was a neat header just inside the post and was a welcome result due to a lot of hard work.
During the game SMEDLEY was very prominent down the right flank and managed to provide a great number of crosses into the box. He was very unfortunate on a number of occasions when it came to shooting. Shots were half blocked but the pall seemed to run to a POWER player every time. His commitment was 110%.
SHARP and HAINES provided excellent support and were always willing to receive. SHARP, playing as our only striker, sprinted gamely, but wasn't really given a chance to provide a goal, always been asked to do a little too much. HAINES took on a defensive midfield role and proved to be a good battler breaking up a lot of POWER's play.
With HAINES sitting back this released GOULD into a more prominent attacking role. He could and should have scored a hat-trick, shooting over twice when well placed and scuffing possibly the easiest chance of the game into the arms of the keeper from 10 yards. He also squanderd good possessionbu shooting instead of passing to others in better positions. On one particular occasion GOULD fired high and wide whilst MERRY< SHARP and SMEDLEY waited patiently unmarked with only the goalie in front of them. D'OH! as HOMER SIMPSON would say.
The scoreline finished 3-1 to the POWER. On chances created THE ALEHOUSE could easily have been the victors themselves. Regardless, the ALEHOUSE players walked back to the changing rooms with their heads held high, feeling like winners. It was a great display.
MVP was awarded to all 10 players for their excellent displays and MR SPOONS was not appropriate, although GOULD would have few objections had he been thE recipient.
LET'S ALL LOOK FORWARD TO THE RETURN MATCH!
