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We’re gonna win the Cup, we’re gonna win the Cup and now you gotta believe us.
Well it’s not as simple as that but hey we can all dream. As we like to do, it was another almighty come back from being very sloppy at the back. As a wise man once said, “We’re fighting on 4 fronts this year” and this was the Champions League. We know its going to be difficult because we don’t know much if anything about our opposition. The added bonus for this game was the fact we would get to face Aldborough Hatch if they won their own game.

Well things started off okay we kept the ball well and definitely bossed the game, however what we tend to do sometimes is believe teams are just gonna let us play against them. That’s never gonna happen; we have to earn our right and show teams that we are better than them and impose our game on them. 

Midway through the first half, a long up and under cause a bit of panic at the back, safe hands Tritton looked to have got a nudge when he was catching the ball. It spilled out and was then put away for us to be 1 nil down. No trouble, this Newbury Forest family is built with stronger stuff, well that was truly tested when there midfield isn’t pressured as he hit an absolute screamer from about 30 yards. Not good, we had bossed the half, had loads of chances but went into half time 2 nil down.
                            
The words at half time were to blitz them in the next 15 minutes, with Dream Team fully restored it was game on. Everyone’s work rate and quality was raised a notch or two. The Goal Machine lived up to his billing and grabbed a brace, while the Twigglet even got one. Dream Team was on fire, at the back we we’re much more solid; getting our heads to everything and making sure there strikers didn’t have an easy ride. We started to boss the game a lot more in the middle of the park, but also got there team moving around more which made space for the forwards. By the end of the game we had done enough to win it, but knew it had been workmanlike and need to improve.

Now for the ratings

Graham “Safe Hands” Tritton GK
Maybe should have kept hold of the first one, but shouldn’t get to disheartened. Even he’s allowed the odd mistake here and there. 6/10

Dave “Del Boy” De Rijk LB
Ever reliable; always gets up and down. Skipper rarely disappoints. 7/10

Nick “Chav Boy” Marable CB
Not a great first half, was a little sloppy with distribution and decision making. However I thought he improved during the second half. 6/10.

Arnold “Rocky” Djedje CB
Wasn’t his best game, looked a bit jittery at times and not his confident self. 6/10

Chris “Cut Your Hair” Wallbank RB
Slowly but surely getting back to last seasons form, getting his bite back in the challenge. 7/10

John “Mr I’ve Changed” Hassan DM
Imposing himself on the other team, but also showing the quality he has on the ball too. Needs to calm down though, otherwise he’ll be a marked man. 8/10

Luke “Mojo Monkey Baby” Mardle AM
Always shows great determination when he plays; while always looking to create. 7/10

John “Lil Pol” Galligan AM
Always makes the right choice when on the ball, just got to get him closer to goal so that he can hurt teams even more. 7/10

Dave “I don’t drink no more” Ademakinwa WR
His pace and energy will always cause problems no matter who he’s against. 7/10

Jey “Flake” Siva WL
Was a menace to the back line, always looks like something is gonna happen with the ball at his feet. 8/10

Alfie “Wooden Spoon” Egembah CF
Even I must admit, definitely the holder of the wooden spoon for my miss. Other than that, thought I was okay but not as involved as I would have liked. 7/10

Subs
Andy “Machine” Saunders WR
I hate him personally, but love him for the team, he just always scores. 8/10
Danny “Maverick” Chester AM
Found it a little hard to come to speed with the game but made an impression. 7/10

Scorers
Andy Saunders 2
Jey Siva