Match Report

Venue: Old Colfeians Sports Club,  Lee, SE9

Squad: Gary Rosslee, Gary McQueen, Jon Gasson, Robin Moody, Joe Champ, Darragh Nott, Jason Miller, Simon Davies, Dean Murphy, Alan Fines, Barry Grainger, Damian Preston, Mark Harrington, Matt Ellis, Frank Pearce.

So when you only have 11 plus, one turning up at half-time, the last thing you want is your phone going at 8.45. If I am honest I was rather hoping it was going to be the opposition saying the overnight downpour had meant the cancellation of the game. To my surprise and the first time this has ever happened for me or for any team for that matter, it was two players making themselves available, not cancelling. Even more good news followed when Barry Grainger brought forward his appearance from half-time to the start of the game and then to completely round off a strange morning, Matt Ellis joined a very unlikely squad of 15.

This was great news and added to the return of Darragh, who sort of returned to action (more on this later) and new signing Gary McQueen making his debut after watching for a couple of weeks. Gary slotted in at right back with ease, making some fine interventions and then setting up the fifth goal in the second half. Another good addition to the squad. Welcome Gary, hopefully this good start is only the beginning of many games.

Well it was lucky we had reinforcements as the oppo number 6 seemed to have a problem with anything in an FOBG shirt. He seemed to have got out of the wrong side of the bed and it really says something when the Downham Destroyer is acting as peacemaker. In fairness to Frank he did not get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning because he hadn’t even been in one. Frank and Damo showed tremendous commitment in turning up for footy at the last minute after driving back from a reunion in Chatham. Various videos show them singing and dancing at 6am so to be at footy three hours later, looking fresh and ready for action in our hour of need was brilliant.

Darragh Nott has not played for about a year as he concentrated on child care so it was great to have him back. Darragh rides his bike everywhere so to make it all the way to Lee and then play is great effort; however, Darragh spent more time on the bike as in the first 30 seconds of the match an accidental stand on his wrist meant he had to leave the action before he even muddied the kit. Thankfully it was not serious and he could return in the second half but it really wasn’t his day as our friend at left back’s two footed lunge ensured Darragh’s pro-rata return was minimal. A shocking challenge and to try to defend it made the situation even worse. Again it turned out to not be serious so perhaps it was Darragh’s day. Anyway, hopefully we will see him more this season and for longer game time.

Thankfully a football match broke out when Simon ran into the box and his cross was turned into his own net to give us the lead. We were sluggish but we just about deserved the lead on a brilliant surface that with the wind made the ball ping around and playing difficult. We missed a few more chances and then lost Jason Miller before half-time due to yes, you’ve guessed it, another no 6 special. Jason was nearly chopped in half and had to come off with a thigh injury. If the tackle had been a few inches higher then Jason would be singing opera. So we limped to the half-time break with a slender lead.

Damien came on to give us width on the left but it was from a fine Dean Murphy cross from the right that saw our very own Slab Head, Robin head us into a 2-0 lead. Only one thing moody about this goal as the ball was planted in the far right hand corner. Shortly after, rent-a-footballer Danny Mullins who sometimes represents the seniors, raced through to pull one back for our hosts. Barry Grainger increased our lead before Danny scored again but our nerves were calmed when Alan poked us further ahead and then followed up with our fifth and his second after great industry and determination from Gary whose ball out from the back was perfection.

Danny headed his hat-trick after our linesman had gone walkabouts to make it 5-3 and in the process getting a nasty forehead gash. It was the sort of gash that even Frank would not like but he was determined to carry on but we had saved the best for last. A super ball out of defence to Matt Ellis was laid off to Dean and a neat passing move saw Barry classily side foot our sixth. It was a great team goal and showed what we really can do.

So in truth it was not a good performance but the conditions were difficult to play in and the numerous changes did not help however, it was great to see such determination by those boys who made themselves available at the last minute. Without them we would have been well short and no doubt lost this game.

Whilst Robin and Dean Murphy rightly won MOM with four votes each, Jon Gasson, Joe Champ and Gary Rosslee also picked up votes. Well done all for getting the result if not a complete performance.

At home to Sanatogen next week. Their youthful squad should ensure another exciting game where we hope the performance will be improved upon.

Good week all.