He obviously realised he was going to have to work hard for the award this week, after Liam made an early claim by curiously naming a starting eleven that had Eye-Ball partnering Robin at the back, and Blakey on the bench. This could have been seen as sending a message of culpability to our best centre half, for going to watch a game at Anfield the previous week rather whilst our defence crumbled, but it turned out to be a simple error with Robin being the intended recipient of the orange bib. As you would expect from such a great club (and all round) legend, Rob didn’t moan or complain and instead was more than happy to run the line before replacing Eye-Ball for the last half hour.
Subs: Robin, Scott
Surely chasing the overall DoTD title can be the only explanation for a series of incidents that started with the Don of the Dong turning up on time for the first time this season, only to then discover he’d left home without the essential kit for playing football – i.e. boots and shin pads. Next, Captain Cock’s determination to wriggle his way out from between three opposition players lead to him being disposed, and one pass later we had conceded the opening goal of the game. Then to cap it off, the Boss of the Boner threw all his sex toys out of the pram and stormed off at half time. Only to be coaxed back thanks to some delicate fluffing from Bobby. At which point Lord Love Muscle had to endure considerable haranguing from the opposition, as he trudged back across to pitch to re-join his harem for the second half.
In H’s defence, we didn’t play well in the first half, but thanks to a towering header by Blakey from Craig’s corner, a fine flying save to his right by Lewis and a goal line clearance from Eye-Ball, we were only one goal down at the break.
What Harry finally managed to articulate, was that we needed to start showing a bit of fight and get stuck into the opposition. In the first forty five we had stood off too much, and at times didn’t look interested in putting in a challenge. I think he would have been happier with the second half, and although we conceded more goals than in the first, these were from individual moments that were not reflective of the performance as a whole. Lennie – who showed a lot about his character by coming back despite our drubbing last week – was unfortunate to concede a penalty when he tracked back with Scruttons’ tricky winger. Then Eye-Ball conceded a free kick on the edge of the box which couldn’t have been placed any more perfectly into the top corner, and Lewis had a rare blooper as his spilled a ball right at the feet of an opposition player.
Player availability was once again an issue, but after introducing Lennie last week the Gaffa convinced another player, Charlie, to come over this week. He was a pretty lonely figure up top in this game, but is another potential quality addition to the squad if he can be convinced to make a permanent move. Scott also returned, and played really well when he came on for Terry. He gave us a little more directness, and the quality he has with his left foot was something we had been missing up to then.
Voting for DoTD was not required, with H pulling one clear of Terry. The votes were more spread for MoTM, with Bobby and Eye-Ball picking up some of the votes but a superb goal and solid performance – which shows what we miss whenever he isn’t there – saw the award deservedly go to Blakey.
The light at the end of the tunnel, after a tough run of results, is two games in two weeks against rock bottom side Chadwell; who with 17 defeats out of 17 and a goal difference of -100 have the worst record in the Thurrock Sunday League. To finish the season with two victories would be great, but we know all too well that nothing is certain, and we still need to turn up with a strong side and the right attitude if things are to go our way.
Eye-Ball
Goal scoring chart
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