Lost 0-1
MoM: Mike Barton
DoD: Easy choice this week – Merv Lewis for his 2 bits of plastic!
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
Off we went to Blackheath some crammed into The Trigger Transport. Alex had paid 1st class for a front row seat whilst the Kitchen Cabinet were shovelled onto the back seat with Jonesy almost perched on a knee.
Blackheath, second in the league, looked it – physically robust against us who had ‘only’ five over 70s. The usual start with many short corners were brilliantly saved by Trigger & one or two reasonable attacks by the Friars defended. However Blackheath got their only goal of the match in the 20th minute & apart from a green card to Merv Lewis that was how the first half ended.
We had our usual strategic half term time talk from Trigger. But just one minute into the second half Merv decided the break had not been long enough for him & got awarded a second card; this time of a yellow variety. Somehow our heroic defence of Trigger, Barton, Jammer Harris & Cllr Alex (less Merve!) held out. After Merve came back on, Dr Tan, having a great game managed to get the ball in the goal only for the umpire to have blown for a short corner just before it went over the line – no advantage played. There were numerous Blackheath attempts to increase their lead but all to no avail. Indeed it was the visiting team who put the most pressure on in the last 5 minutes to try & salvage a point. Tim Lewis and Guy Dowling put in good shifts and their skills nearly produced some opportunities for John Boy Aikin who himself showed how fast he really can run over 30 metres; this will now be remembered as a highlight & used in evidence for when he next hangs about in the “D”!
But time was against us & a very well officiated game played in great spirit ended one down which was about as much as we could have got from this opposition. An excellent tea followed which must rank as the best from the away venues this season.
So a very happy Christmas to our readers. At the halfway stage we are fifth in the league which is not bad after having been bottom for the first four matches.