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Our attention was now back on the Essex cup, after last week’s postponement we were all dying to play. Mainly because we haven’t played a game since the end of November. However the weather had other ideas. Since that weekend the weather had got colder, and was now at a freezing temperature. Pitches seemed flat enough to play on, but didn’t seem like they would take a stud. Some of us had played the day before (and scored an absolute screamer lol but we’ll talk about that later) on some shocking pitches but had faith that ours would be in better condition. So when we reached our pitch it was a surprise that people we’re saying the game might not be on.

Once the referee arrived he went out and expected the pitch. His first thoughts were that he didn’t think that the game would be on as he felt people wouldn’t be able to stop or change direction quickly. On top of that the other game that was going on next to us had just been cancelled. We managed to get him to let us warm up on the pitch to see how it would play and then make a decision after that. In addition it gave the pitch more time to be under the ever increasing sunlight.

Luckily the pitch got a bit better and the referee let the game go ahead. Now after all this palaver, we had to get minds back on the game, we didn’t know anything about the team we were playing and it was our first game back after Christmas, so you can imagine there would be a few rusty touches. It was the first time all season that the whole squad was there, so the bench was looking tasty.

The game itself started off patchy with neither team keeping the ball for long periods in the game, this may have been due to the elements. As the game wore on everyone started to get a footing in the game and so our possession increased and we started to dictate the pace of the game. We needed to have something to show for all the pressure and possession we had.  The chances were being created but we lacked more composure in front of goal. As we tried to turn this pressure into goals the half wore on, with only a few minutes to go until half time the moment of magic happened. Shaun Harris drifted inside with the ball and took on a couple of defenders; he’s then crossed a majestic ball into Andy Saunders who’s just inside the area. Without a moment’s thought, he’s taken a step back and walloped the ball, full on the volley into the top corner. The goal itself deserved an action replay with additional comments from Andy Gray. There’s not enough adjectives to explain the all round quality of the goal. Apart from this it also gave a lead we could take in to the second half.

Second half started with us making a change at the back, with Kye returning to his centre half partnership with Nick. As the half wore on it was pretty much the same, we controlled the pace and flow but didn’t seem as if we were going to score. A few more changes introduced Scotty Emmons for his debut and Jey Siva from his sabbatical. The later being in a more playmaker role giving us more creativity in the middle.  He was unlucky with a free kick that hit post but looked lively. Scotty was straight in there up and down the left flank and was unlucky not to be put through a couple of times. As the game wore on there were also chance for them. Maybe our inexperience at times wants us to score goals all the time which sometimes left us short at the back, but in fairness Graham didn’t really have anything of great importance to do. The game in a way petered out and we won relatively comfortably, if you can do that at 1-0.

Starting Line Up:

Now the ratings

Graham “The Young Man of Newbury” Tritton GK
Didn’t have much to do, needs to be a bit quicker on goal kicks, so we can keep the game rolling. Distribution from hands is as good as ever. 6/10

Andy “Old Parks Keano” Lane LB
Industrious performance from the veteran. You know what you get from him, another hard working performance. Great communicator on the field. 7/10

Nick “How’s Wifey” Marrable CB
Always seems to be in a battle with some lump that plays up front, and always seems to come out on top. Another efficient performance by him. 7/10

Dean “Neville” Neville CB
Was maybe out of position a couple of times, but was smart enough to resolve the problem, another good player on the ball. 6/10

Alfie “Ask Laney how good the goal was” Egembah RB
Got forward well as he always does to support the attack, and seems to have a good understanding with JRB. Need to bit a tighter to his man in the first half, but rectified this in the second half. 7/10

Tom “Love u Nicole” Gibbings DM
Not at his usual best, but you can see the class of the player but only in flashes. 6/10

Jon “Get rid of that Xmas weight” Galligan AM
Dynamic performance by the little Polish man. Always seems available for the ball and always wants it. A joy to watch him and play with him. 8/10

Toch “The only Sikh Nick knows that doesn’t drink” Singh AM
Another one who has maybe eaten too may mince pies. Got caught a couple of times on the ball, but you can see the quality he has and has shown us during the season. 6/10

Shaun “Where’s my Kit John” Harris WL
Started off up front and was the difference maker with a great assist. Did well when he came into the middle of the park. 7/10

Andy “Big Time finish” Saunders CF
What can we say an absolute great finish by a top striker, worked as hard as ever when he was up top on his own. 7/10

Jason “Mr Salmon” Reynolds Blanche WR
Dangerous whenever he runs with the ball, always looked like he could create something with his directness. 7/10

Subs

Kye “Back off International Duty” Braithwaite CB
Back after a while away on holiday, but still seems to have his calmness about him whenever he plays. Still has a bit of rust but hey who won’t after a couple of weeks out. 7/10
 
Scotty “Mr Debut” Emmons WL
First game in the first team and he didn’t do too badly. Always working hard and looking to create something with pace and power. 7/10

Jey “Mr Sabbatical” Siva AM
Getting back into the swing of things, can create something out of nothing with that magical left peg. 7/10

Goals
Andy Saunders

Assist
Shaun Harris

Man of the Match
Jon Galligan