Absent friends...

Every week is offers a different challenge for the Gaffer... holidays, injuries, family commitments and misplaced keys whilst engaged in a “Max Moseley moment” means that no 2 Matchday squads are the same.

During the past 7 days we‘ve lost individuals to Golf, Granada and Ghana, but such is the competition for places, those away have sent messages of good luck, requests for match information and photos to demonstrate fitness regimes on the beach.

This week was a trip to Ravens in Braintree for our first league game. The early signs were promising as White Roding 45s had already achieved their highest league position in history of 3rd from bottom by virtue of a superior goal difference... if only we played for the neighbouring village of Abbess Roding then the alphabetical order would have shoved us up to a nose-bleeding 3rd from the summit.

Even though we had team mates away in Portugal, Spain, East Africa and Grantham, the phones were buzzing before and after the whistle with messages of good luck and score updates.

This week on a rain-sodden pitch we raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of Tony C's new silver boots and Dom's composed finish. Ravens struck back and then Woodsy rose like a salmon to power back our 2 goal advantage.

A myriad of changes in the 2nd half and a dodgy Ken Ward handball decision piled on the pressure, before a Tony B own goal and a last minute strike made matters level. the other highlight was Tony "Direct Debit" Campbell falling down in instalments untouched by anyone and the Gaffer being slide-tackled as he raced on to the pitch to help Tel dress himself.

A draw in our 3rd game has already equalled our performance of the whole of the 2018/9 season, but it felt like a defeat. The Gaffer has much to ponder on for the team selection next weekend when a draw will see the 45s top the D1 Group D and progress to the knock out stages. Special mention goes to Dean who did not hit the crossbar, but wore his new Junior Captain's Armband with pride and numbness in his left wrist (which apparently will come in useful later tonight)

Line-up

Stuart

Tony C (1)

Tony B (OG)

Woods (1)

Si Copper

Dave D

Dave E

Tel

Dom (1)

Lux

Mark C

Spencer

Ian C

James

Cyril

Dean