Bubbles...

Each week the players turn up in their club tracksuits with their initials proudly emblazoned on their chest (for no other reason to stop arguments Over who has stolen someone else’s top by mistake)... their socks also have L & R on them, but there’s no guarantee they’ll put them on the right feet!

This week for some added spice, the Gaffer and a select few also sported “FBC” too, after much mirth was made about certain players being in his Bubble from yesteryear. The F & C bestowed by the Tourette-suffering StepToe on the subset’s title is not printable, 😱

However it is true that White Roding 45s (and every other club) is made up bubbles that overlap each other... or a Venn Diagram for the scientifically-minded amongst us.

The Bubble referred to above is the St. Margaretsbury Bubble, where the Gaffer and Messers Evitt, Weatherhead and Barnett plied their trade previously (as well as the much discussed but yet to be seen White Brothers). A trio for Saffron Walden, 5 played at some point for Much Hadham, half-a-dozen for Stortford Swifts. We’ve got bubbles who live Bishops Stortford and Sawbridgeworth, those that work at Stansted Airport and some that sit in their own bubble.

Every season, every football team refreshes their bubble mix as they strive for a frothier foam. Bubbles get burst and reformed. Nothing ever stays the same.

So as we kicked off against Blackmore on Saturday, we welcomed back a member of the St.Margaretsbury Bubble for the first time since lockdown was lifted (and probably the first time since he scored our CUP final winning Goal) with Lee Weatherhead occupying a role in midfield.

Despite the Gaffer putting the sprinklers on for days, the lack of rain in recent weeks has turned all pitches into concrete and the hallowed Mark Hall turf was no different. However the sporadic spots of softness showed how on our day we can play play football, with the promise of much more to come. Chances came and went for the attacking 1-2-4-2-1 formation before Holly continue his recent good goal scoring form with a trademark finish.

Against the run of play, and perhaps assisted by the wind Blackmore‘s cross-cum-shot looped over the diminutive Dean in goal to level things up, before Holly curled in his second and then needing a celebratory cigarette and a chat with his mum for the remainder of the half on the touch line. Enter the fray John Deamer whose tireless running added extra energy in midfield and freed up Sonic & Splinters even more in their attacking threat.

However it was the St. Margaretsbury bubble that combined for the goal of the game when Gary Barnett’s through ball found Weathers in space. Cutting inside and controlling the ball on his chest, he smashed it over the onrushing keeper for a well deserved 3-1 lead at the whistle.

Many changes were made in the 2nd half... some tactical, others through tiredness and Holly completed his hat-trick with a header from a corner. It could and should have been more than 4, but for the first time since pre-season have we played anywhere near our undoubted abilities.

Special mention goes to Si Copper after returning from a long absence, put in a performance that looked like he had never been away.

Chorizo & Bean Stew was served up for post-match hospitality.