Lost 0-2
MoM: Arun Banarse,
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
Starting at the end for change……A very convivial post match gathering for the squad with compulsory Xmas jumpers , sausage and chips and a jug of the finest Gadds, what could be better on a late Saturday afternoon.
Plenty of time to reflect on not just the game but the first half of the season in the new league. Resting at eighth position out of twelve pre Xmas is not a bad position to be in. Having now played all the other teams we know the nature of the opposition with those we can beat, those we can compete and those a tad strong. The age of the opposition varies greatly but I think we must be the oldest and with the highest average age despite playing three juniors but then with Corporal Jones being well into his 80s plays havoc with our average age.
So the next half of the season should prove interesting with a consistent squad and only one major injury for Ally Alexander and tweaks for Alex and Phil. At least we have played all of our matches with no walkovers!
Now to the match (about time -ed), of which I had know idea I was to be writing! Warm up showed us the nature of the opposition with a large number of youths around the seventeen mark, tall and fast and a struggle to see anyone over thirty! The game started with Anchorians having a lot of possession and moving the ball freely through the midfield to attack. However they were not as strong as feared and the game proved quite even with attacks from both teams. But we were only 1-0 down at half time. The usual Jaffa cakes served by an Elf and briefing from Trigger showed us in fine mental state and ready for the second half.
The rest of the game showed the age gap with plenty of defending from the stalwart defence team and midfield. Marking was tough chasing down spritely teenagers and that paid a toll in fitness. The youth side of our team battled on playing good hockey down the right side but penetration into the D was usually swiflty broken down by the Anchorians who then broke out rapidly drifting fast through the supportive midfield onto attack. Another goal from them took some of the sting out of our game but noted now that we no longer fold and give away goals cheaply but fight on giving our best to the final whistle.
The match can be summed up neatly……We missed John Boy Aikin up front today (he was sunning himself on a hockey pitch in Spain), but then again he often misses for us…! Happy Christmas to all our readers.!
Thanks to Phil and Kev for umpiring and the Anchorians for a well mannered game. And last but by no means least thanks to the Lovely Tea Ladies (Jude, Sally and Sue) for all the hot teas they have provided this season – we like the sausages and chips best with a jug of ale as Friars always do.
Scribbler Mk.3 Aka Moose.