Chadwell 2 – 6 Aveley Academicals (Division 1 cup quarter final)

All the build up to this match was about how we couldn’t afford to be complacent, and that there was no way Chadwell would roll over like they did the previous week.  It was definitely going to be a closer game and we would have to get our heads screwed on to get through to the semi-final.  If only leading 5-0 at half time rather than 6-0 counts as a “totally different kettle of fish” then the pundits were spot on.  Having said that, it’s a good job we did continue where we’d left off the previous week, because the second half display was ordinary at best, which was summed up by the fact that we actually lost it 2-1.  Still the most important thing was to secure a meeting with Stanford Town in the next round, and if that meant we could put our feet up for 45 minutes, and enjoy playing on our old home pitch at Blackshots without having to put the goals up, then so be it!

With next week’s league game (and semi-final warm up) in mind, Sharpy decided to try something different with five at the back.  However, don’t be fooled by the formation set out below, as the Gaffa obviously didn’t give Robin clear enough instructions, as he decided to push up as more of a holding midfielder.  To be honest you couldn’t really blame him given the lack of threat from the opposition, and in hindsight it worked quite well to compress the midfield and provide a defensive shield.

Subs: Nick, Craig, James

I said we started where we left off, and within ten minutes we were three nil up, with Dale continuing to score for fun.  Dispossessing the defender, and cutting in on the left hand side of the box, Dale hit a tame but accurate low shot into the bottom left hand corner, out of reach of the despairing keeper: 0-1.

With the opposition being familiar with us from the previous week, it was a bonus to be able to unleash a secret bearded weapon.  Whether it was a tactical masterstroke to play the left footed Scott on the right, or the fact that the opposition were struck dumb with fear thinking they were playing against mafia boss Bear Gerhardt from Fargo, it just seemed impossible to stop the grizzly one in this new position, as he netted his first two goals for the Accies.  The first was a sublime and unstoppable drive into the right corner after collecting Luke’s throw via Harry’s flick on, and the second was a low shot through a crowded box after collecting the ball from Dale.  The ball bounced nicely over the outstretched keeper who was put off by Liam’s presence as he resisted the temptation to claim a flick: 3-0.

It's fine Scott, you can have the last chicken drumstick.  And H's vienettas!

Similarly to last week, Chadwell seemed incapable of defending but still created chances at the other end.  Without Foggy we were indebted to a fine debut display by Bangers, who show himself to be a fearless and committed keeper, as he came of his line to curtail any sniff of a chance.  He was also a much needed vocal presence, and inspired the confidence that we had feared would be missing without our club captain.

With the door being shut at one end, the flood gates were still open at the other.  Dale’s long throw into the box was flicked on by Robin where the ball was won by Liam.  He twisted free of a couple of defenders before smashing the ball into the net: 4-0.

The fifth was another nomination for Goal of the Season from H, who had positioned himself on the edge of the box for a corner.  When it was only partially cleared, Blakey laid the ball off to his mate, who drove an arrow straight, unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner: 5-0.

Sharpy made one change at half time, with James replacing Luke; the other substitutions were made a little later with Nick and Craig coming on for Scott and Blakey.  The initial impression was that the 10-1 from last week could be beaten as we quickly added a sixth. Liam raced clear, and squared it to Dale in the box who had tracked Liam’s run.  The screams from the bench were for Dale to pass to Scott so he could complete his hat-trick.  Maybe if we’d asked Chadwell’s keeper and defenders nicely, they would have stopped playing to wait for Scott to catch up, but I’m not sure that would have worked.  It was therefore the right decision for Dale to side foot home for his second: 6-0.

Whether we just didn’t want to totally humiliate our opposition again, or we decided that the job was done and we could therefore afford a well-earned rest, it is quite clear.  Either way we stopped playing and let Chadwell get two goals.  The first was a good flicked header from a free kick, and the second a wind-assisted corner which floated straight in at the back post:  6-2.

MoTM went to Harry for another lung bursting display, and DoTD was awarded to Alex Swan for not only wearing shorts with pockets, but for drawing attention to this fact by burying his hands in them for most of the pre-match warm-up.

We may not have finished this game as we would have hoped, but the job was done, and now only Stanford Town stand between us and a cup final.  It’s going to be tough but as long as we approach the game with the same attitude we have shown in recent weeks, and the belief that we can win then we’ve got a good chance of once again making that magical trip to …Tilbury.

Eye-Ball

Aveley Academicals 10 - 1 Chadwell

If Chadwell were expecting flowers and chocolates on a cold Valentine’s Day morning, they were in for a rude awakening.  Instead Aveley Academicals served up a feast of burnt toast, cold tea and a 10-1 thrashing – who says that romance is dead.  In a quite remarkable 90 minutes, the Accies clocked up the club’s biggest winning margin since an 11-0 victory in 2012, and with every member of the squad playing their part, I thought it was only fitting to give everyone a moment under the spotlight.  However, please be warned that what follows may not be a truly accurate account of events, and so if anyone wants to argue about assists or remembers things differently feel free to let me know.  But first, we need to know the team:

Subs: Alex, Robin

Foggy – MoTM and DoTD

You may well ask how a team scores 10 goals, and yet the goalkeeper wins MoTM?  The clue is in the fact that we only conceded 1, which would definitely not have been the case without a supreme display from our skipper.  On a cold morning I imagine he was happy to be relatively busy, and pulled of a string of saves, including a diving effort in the second half to push a goal-bound effort around the post.  Also claimed an assist for encouraging Brian to go up for a free-kick from which he subsequently scored – unfortunately a few others were involved before the ball went in the net, but it was definitely a key contribution.

You may well ask how a man who wins MoTM has to buy himself a drink by also winning DoTD?  The clue is in the fact that we conceded 1.  Foggy and the defence had worked so hard for a clean sheet, only for a horizontal Foggy to let a tame shot bounce over him and into the net with the score at 10-0.  To be fair the defence could have had a collective DoTD for this goal, as the scorer pretty much walk through all attempted tackles before getting a shot away.

Eye-Ball – a relative spectator

Had said that he wants the team to play so well that they don’t even notice there is someone at left back, and for the first half got his wish.  Spent most of the half shaking his head in disbelief at the carnage that was ensuing at the other end.  Busier in a second half spent waving a flag.

Brian – Franz Beckenbaur eat your heart out

Always shines at training, and translated this onto the pitch with two assists from forward runs, and one goal.  Following Foggy’s encouragement, the centre half made a late appearance in the box and turned Nick’s cross – via Luke’s face – into the net.

Blakey – Class act at the back

Sometimes a little slow to react, but that just makes the last ditch tackles all the more sweeter.  The highlight being a sliding effort which stole away the ball from the striker when he thought he was clear and through on goal.  A maiden trip to the showers was a moment to treasure.

James – hang on, don’t you play for Trojans?

In fact, worked so hard up and down the pitch that at times it looked like both the twins must be playing for us.  Instrumental in linking up with Luke for one of Dale’s first half goals, and best moment a brave block on the line.  Unfortunately his back was probably still stinging when Chadwell did score and break our defence’s hearts.

Liam – always there when you need him

Worked back to help out in defence, and got in the box to provide an assist for Dale – via a shot – and a headed goal of his own, at the near post, from Dale’s long throw.  Yet another superb all round performance from our vice captain.

Nick – still banging nails into the Chadwell coffin as it was lowered into the ground

Adds experience and bite to our midfield. Nick’s fitness is improving every week, and it shows as he plays with energy and a sense of urgency that infects the rest of the team.  A much needed vocal presence, with his own blend of encouragement which I think the team have just about figured out.  Rewarded with his first goal for the club as he tapped home following some dazzling work in the box from Dale - who was repaying Nick for yet another assist.  Had quite a few other shots, but perhaps we’d better work on that left foot in training.

Harry – owned the midfield; a class apart

Covered an immense amount of ground before being replaced by Robin midway through the second half.  This was despite appearing to be close to death from the first time he touched the ball.  Best moment was turning the entire Chadwell midfield inside out before passing the ball forward in a move that result in a goal for Dale.

Luke – best performance of the season; terrorised the opposition down the right flank

The perfect response to returning to the starting eleven. Looked to get us on the attack every time he got the ball, and linked up superbly with Dale.  Played in our striker for his first goal, and then scored himself in the second half when Dale returned the favour, and Luke finished superbly off the inside of the post.  Also claimed a second assist via his face for Brian’s goal.

Craig – he’s a smooth operator

                                              

Never hurried or seemingly under pressure.  Seemed to relish the freedom of the number 10 role and a great outlet when we wanted to keep possession.  Should have scored, but every shot seemed to be attracted to a defender.  Earned a DoTD nomination for a shout of “Dummy Dummy!” which resulted in an indirect free kick to the oppo.  We’re still not sure if this is just a nickname for James…

Dale – forget Trident, the one man every team in this league would pay to disarm

A simply remarkable and unforgettable display of movement, pace and finishing.  A first half display which was possibly the most devastating individual performance I have ever witnessed.  Every shot, from every angle seemed to end up in the back of the net.  Another hat-trick which makes it five for the season.  The first effort was a sighter, which the defender deflected into his own net for an own-goal, but after this every finish was something to be admired:

1 – Collects the ball from Luke on the right and breaks into the box before shooting across the keeper.

2 – Spins the ball round the defender from Brian’s pass and smashes it in at the near post.

3– We think this was Dale’s tap in after Liam’s initial shot was saved

4 – You know you’re scoring too many when you can’t even remember your hat-trick goal, but believe this came from a pass by Brian following another marauding run from the centre half.

5 – Nick puts the ball across the box. Dale collects a slides it past the keeper

Dale was actually involved in all but one of our goals, as he added four assists for Nick, Luke, Liam and the Chadwell defender (who I believe was particularly grateful).  It sounds ridiculous, but I imagine he is disappointed he didn’t score more, and really should have beaten Sharpy’s record of 6   in one game.  Just to stop his head inflating too much, I have to mention the shanked ball up the line which nearly took the head off an innocent bystander.  However, I imagine Dale might argue the under 8’s goal on the adjacent pitch caught his eye, and actually this was a fine effort.  The fact that Dale didn’t win MoTM is surprising (although Foggy did deserve it) but may just show how highly we rate Dale, that this is the kind of performance we expect from him.

Alex - let me play!

A faultless second half performance at left back, and really didn’t have a chance to get into the game, with most of the play being down the right or through the middle.  Will hopefully get plenty more opportunities to shine.

Robin – the last thing you want to see when you’re already dead and buried

So you’re losing about 8-0, and have hardly seen the ball, and now every time you touch it Rob is going to be there to dish out his own brand of honey nut crunch.  A fine cameo performance in a position where he could actually justify getting forward.  Although I did hear Sharpy say “Rob, I want  you to sit.”  Well, all I can say is we can’t have everything we want Gaffa.

                                                                                                                               

The Gaffa – Beaming from the touch line like the cat who got the cream

Fully deserved such a result for all the hard work and passion he has poured into this club over the years.  Unbelievable that he didn’t rush off at half time to put his boots on, but probably the right decision to carry on enjoying the spectacle from the sidelines.

And a word about our opposition:

How different things would have been if their striker hadn’t put the ball just past the post in the first minute, we will never know.  However, Chadwell created enough chances and showed they have enough pace and skill to trouble any team in this league on their day.  This most definitely was not their day, and it was a bit of a shame to see them crumble when about the 4^th goal went in.  After this they road their luck, with at least four players just charging forward like they’d just land on the beaches of Dunkirk.  They completely left their defenders to the wolves, and paid the price for letting Dale run riot by making no attempt to stick anyone within 10 yards of him.

There isn’t much more to say boys, other than enjoy this moment, but forget about it when we line up against Chadwell in the cup in our next game.  We knew very little about Chadwell, and we can’t afford to think we know them now.  Their attitude is bound to be different, and remember that there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded mosquito…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZvT3MHpffk

Eye-Ball

Next match: Sunday 21^st February v Chadwell @ Blackshots – Div 1 cup quarter final

Goal scoring chart

Staines Utd 3 – 2 Aveley Academicals (a.e.t. – Ted Fairchild Cup 3rd round)

Second in Division 1 lost out to second in the Premiership, but to lose by such a narrow margin over 120 gruelling minutes on a heavy pitch shows that we were much closer to our opposition than the 8 league positions would suggest.  Aveley twice took the lead inside 90 minutes and were able to walk off at the end of the match with heads held high, knowing that we had given our all and done ourselves proud.

With players missing – including Dale and Brian - another reshuffle was required, with Ryan leading the line and Blakey partnering Robin at the back.  Harry was back to partner Mo in the middle and Nick slotted in again in front of the back four, in a position he is making his own.

Subs: Luke, Sharpy, Scott

It was important that we came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, and that’s exactly what we did as, within five minutes, Staines were left with no doubts that they had a game on their hands.  Ryan whipped the ball in from the right and Liam found himself unmarked but couldn’t direct his header on target.

If we let Staines off the hook this time, we weren’t about to do it again.  With the ball in the opposition area on the left, Harry played a simple ball across to Liam who spotted the gap at the near post and left the keeper rooted to the spot as the ball was fired into the corner: 0-1.

You tend to find that Premiership sides like Staines are full of seasoned campaigners, who are used to having time to control play in the midfield.  However, H, Mo and Nick were not prepared to play by their rules and harassed their opposite numbers constantly.  When we got the ball, we looked to quickly get the ball up to Ryan, who held the ball up superbly, giving time for Liam, Craig and others to get up in support.  Staines were really caught on the back foot, and looked like their defence could crumble at any moment.  However, we weren’t able to extend our lead during this period of dominance, and Staines pegged us back before half time.

The Aveley back four of Eye-Ball, Robin, Blakey and James had been playing a superb line which kept Scott very busy with his linesman duties.  However, Staines showed that they would take any chance we handed them, and on the one occasion their striker beat the offside trap he lifted the ball over Foggy and into the goal, despite a duel effort from James and Eye-Ball.  Unfortunately the two full backs were both so determined to get to the ball that neither put a name on it, which resulted in Eye-Ball getting more of James than the ball, and James only being able to kick the ball further into our net.  We’ll never know if leaving the clearance to one of the two would have ended in the danger being cleared, but it would have increased the probability of this outcome: 1-1.

We weren’t about to let this setback get us down, and Sharpy was happy enough with how things were going to start the second half with the same eleven.  We started the second half brightly again, and Liam once again looked most likely to score when he timed his run perfectly to the front post to meet a low cross from the right.  On this occasion the keeper read the danger, but paid a price for the save as he had to leave the field with damaged fingers. 

Much like in the first half, Liam followed up on a warning with a great goal as he collected the ball from Ryan in the box, and curled a rising shot into the far corner: 1-2.

It isn’t usually worth mentioning half chances, but when this chance is created by Eye-Ball even the most speculative effort is worth a sentence or two.  Following a corner, the ball came out and Eye-Ball met it high on the bounce.  He actually succeeded in keeping the ball under the bar, but it curled inches (OK, more like feet) wide of the left hand upright.  The opposition probably thought the reaction from our players was a little over the top, but then they haven’t been waiting five years (which is longer than everyone apart from Sharpy and Robin have been at the club) to see Eye-Ball find the back of the net.

There were periods when Staines were on top, but with ten minutes to go it was starting to look like we might hold out for a famous victory.  However, a rare lapse at the back saw the striker break free and was clinical in slotting the ball past Foggy: 2-2.

We didn’t give up hope of finding a winner, and Nick tried time and again to provide the break-through with his huge throws into the wind, but no one could provide the required end product and we had to prepare ourselves to battle on for another 30 minutes.

Throughout the game, it was so pleasing to see how we grew more and more determined, and were willing to stand toe-to-toe with an opposition who, at times, were committing cynical fouls and trying to bully us into submission.  However, we gave as good as we got and right up to the final whistle the game could have gone either way.  As it was, it was Staines who made the break-through as they broke down the left and the cross into the middle found Eye-Ball two on one.  The winger showed his experience in blocking Eye-Ball’s attempt to get to the man with the ball, who had time to settle himself before sidestepping the left back’s eventually advance and smashing a sweet drive into the top corner: 3-2.

Aveley continued to dig deep for the last twenty minutes, but just couldn’t find a way to force the game to penalties.  Nick pointed out how gutting it is to work so hard and come away with nothing, but despite the disappointment of the result, there are so many positives to take away from the performance – especially given how we have been playing lately.  Hopefully we are now in no doubt about what we are capable on, and are ready to push on for many happier results in the league and league cup.

MoTM was a tight affair, but Nick just edged out Liam.  Nick really led by example as he threw himself at everything, and showed an infectious level of hunger and determination which definitely rubbed off on the rest of his team mates.  DoTD was awarded later on in the pub (and without the recipient realising) when Scott showed a degree of passion which Nick would be proud of, in trying to convince the rest of us that Manchester United were still in the title race, and would prove this with a win over Chelsea.  We were vindicated in awarding Scott the DoTD prize when Man United were held to a 1-1 draw.  Oh well Scott, there is always next year.

Eye-Ball

Next game – Sunday 14^th February @ home v Chadwell

Goal scoring chart

Stifford Social 2 - 2 Aveley Academicals

Aveley came from behind to secure a point in a game which was dominated by the frustration of knowing that we could and should have played so much better.  Still, that response in itself is encouraging, as it highlights why we now haven’t lost in 9 games; we believe there isn’t a team in this league who we can’t beat on our day and won’t admit defeat until the final whistle.  The thing is, it can’t be your day every week, and this result just goes to prove that any team in this league can catch you out if you’re not at your best.  I could over-analyse why we couldn’t string more than a few passes together, and generally didn’t seem up for the races, but I’ll leave that for the general discussion in the pub.  It doesn’t surprise me though that the last two below par performances have coincided with Sharpy having to pull his boots on to fill the bench.  That’s not a dig a Sharpy – who we have to thank for sparing our blushes – but just reiterates that we are only as strong as the squad and any missing players makes us weaker.

With so many central midfield players missing, Sharpy felt it best to revert to a more attacking 4-4-2, with Mo partnering Nick in the middle and the two Kenyons leading the line.

Subs: Craig, Sharpy

Despite a lacklustre warm-up, we started quite brightly with James finding space down the right and Ryan and Dale looking a threat when they had the ball.  It was one James’s marauding runs which led to our first goal, when Mo slipped the ball through to the right winger who, despites the screams from Dale in the middle, curled the ball nonchalantly into the far corner.  Well that’s one story anyway.  The other one starts the same, but ends with James attempting to cross the ball to Dale, but slicing it into the net.  Either way, who cares: 0-1

Rather than push on, we were caught napping at the back and let Stifford’s skipper and main threat upfront collect a through ball and finish neatly past Foggy: 1-1.

We continued to look a little shaky to half time, but perhaps should have gone into the lead if (for the second week running – I forgot to mention last week’s incident) we had been awarded a penalty for a blatant trip on Dale.  However, the ref somehow saw something different from the rest of us and awarded a goal kick.

Although we seemed to be more in control in the second half, the frustration grew due to a combination of valiant defending in numbers by our opposition and a lack of quality.  This was especially true of our final ball which all too often was played harmlessly to Stifford’s goalkeeper rather than one of our strikers.  To make matters worse we gifted Stifford the lead when a sliced clearance by Foggy resulted in us being outnumbered, and despite our skipper saving the initial shot, there was a Stifford player closest to tap in the rebound.  Some argued that this player was offside when the shot came in, but to be honest it doesn’t matter.  We should never have got ourselves into a position where we were outnumbered in our own box in the first place, and others would have argued we got what we deserved: 2-1.

Time was running out, and it seemed that whatever we threw at Stifford they somehow repelled.  Both Mo and Ryan hit the post, and countless efforts were either blocked, saved or went wide of the mark.  Fortunately, despite being small (in terms of numbers), our bench had plenty of quality, and it was our two super subs who combined to get us back on level terms.  With Craig’s initial cross cleared back out to the right, we still had lots of players in the box and, at the back post, Sharpy demanded the ball.  Craig duly delivered and, running in to meet the ball on the angle, Sharpy stroked a sublime left foot volley low across the goal and into the net: 2-2.

We tried to clinch all three points at the end, but it wasn’t to be.  Still our run goes on, and sometimes a wake-up call like this is needed to remind us that we are not immortal and can’t afford to give any less than 100% in any game.  There has been talk of a pattern where Eye-Ball always gets MoTM when we lose.  Looking at the results would say that this is not quite accurate, but I think that there is definitely an argument that the awards coincide with the Accies not playing well.  I think this is because when we play well Eye-Ball is a pretty peripheral figure, but when we don’t play well collectively, there are a lot more occasions for last ditch covering tackles from the industrious left-back.  Whilst I’m honoured again to receive this accolade, I’d much rather we play well and not be noticed.

Next week is going to be tough as we face premiership opposition in the cup.  Still it’s a good opportunity for us to rediscover some of the grit and determination that we are going to need to get back to our best.

Eye-Ball

Next match: Sunday 7 February Away v Staines @ Pegasus Club

Aveley Academicals 2 - 1 FC Deportivo Thurrock (League cup first round)

Going seven games unbeaten and sitting second in the table gives you the belief that you are capable of a good run in the league cup, and this was definitely something that everyone in the Accies camp was keen to turn into a reality.  However, the fact that over three games we have only beaten Deportivo (on aggregate) by two goals suggests that we tend to let them drag us down to their level.  That was definitely the case in this 1^st round match, and there was a general sense of relief rather than jubilation following the full-time whistle, which signalled our progression into the quarter finals.

The squad was not at its strongest, and such was the unavailability that Sharpy had to pull on his boots to fill the subs bench.  Harry – originally thought to be injured and unavailable – did manage to drag himself off his sick bed to be available in the second half, which did help to ease the pressure on an unfamiliar (although still very capable) central midfield which had very little backup.

Subs: Blakey, Luke, Sharpy, Harry

You could blame the boggy pitch for making it really difficult to play any decent football, but with these reports I try to capture the general mood in the camp, which was that – to put it politely – we looked nothing like the team which had scored 34 goals in 7 unbeaten games.  In fact we looked more like the team who had lost 1-0 to Deportivo earlier in the season, as we aimlessly pumped long balls forward with the hope that Dale would work miracles, when the reality was that Deportivo’s tall defenders could sit deep and head way the ball time and time again.  The failure to keep possession then meant that we were constantly on the back foot and, in the first half especially, it felt like we were spending a disproportionate amount of time trying to win back the ball.  Still, this does make my job easier this week (after two weeks and 15 goals I could do with a bit of a break) as there a relatively few highlights for me to cover, and I can simply concentrate on the occasions when the ball found its way into the back of a net.

There doesn’t seem to be a week without a Kenyon putting the ball into the net three time, however Ryan’s hat-trick was a little unconventional, although he can say that of the 22 players on the pitch he was the only one who scored (look back to the score line if you need help with solving this riddle).

Ryan is usually the one providing the awesome deliveries from corners, but for once he was the beneficiary (a nicer way of saying “receiver”) of a superb ball to the back post from Craig.  Ryan found himself unmarked and perfectly placed to head the ball into the net: 1-0.

This knack of being in the right place at the right time was less welcome when Ryan attempted to clear the danger posed by an in-swinging corner in front of our goal.  Unfortunately his out stretched boot could only deflect the ball past Foggy and into our goal: 1-1.

The conversation at half time was frank and honest, but everyone seemed to be willing to take the criticism and get stuck in for half two.  We did look a little better, tried to play it around a bit more, and even created some opportunities for Dale to test Deportivo’s keeper, who rode his luck but managed to keep everything out.  Deportivo also created chances, but these were restricted to a few snatched efforts as we defended valiantly.  Blakely made a welcome return (one of three changes during the second half as he replaced Rob), and his aerial dominance was particularly welcome as Deportivo looked to test us by throwing long balls towards their big front men. 

The other two changes were Harry in place of Scott, and Luke for Craig.  So often these second half changes seem to make a difference, not just because of fresh legs but because it changes the dynamic, and if the opposition don’t adapt to this you can catch them out.  This definitely seemed to be the case here, and a short spell on the front foot led to us taking the led with 10 minutes to go: another set piece resulted in a scramble in the box, and through a crowd of bodies Liam managed to lift the ball towards the far post, where Ryan was once again on hand to nod the ball home: 2-1.

The last ten minutes were pretty nerve-racking, and the game would surely have gone to extra time if Foggy hadn’t rounded off an accomplished performance by diving full length to his right to tip a goal bound effort around the post.  It was at this point that we knew we were going to get away with it today, and achieve the only thing that really mattered*; getting to the next round.

Eye-Ball tends to only get MoTM awards when the team loses, which I suppose isn’t surprising given you tend to defend most in this situations.  It was therefore nice that his interventions (including a diving near post header), along with Foggy’s dominance in goal, helped see us over the line.  Either of these two could have walked way without paying their subs, but on this occasion it was Eye-Ball who left with the heavier wallet.  DoTD was a unanimous decision, with Craig causing some pre-match confusion as it appeared he had turned up for a game of tag rugby.  It turned out that he actually just had his shorts on inside out – oh dear.

*There was actually something else that mattered a great deal: Eye-Ball getting to his Nan’s birthday lunch on time, which wouldn’t have been possible without Liam and Ryan combining for our second goal – thank you guys!

Goal scoring chart